Senior Hardware Engineering Program Manager

Cisco • San Jose, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Common Hardware Group (CHG) creates innovative hardware platforms central to the AI era, powering Cisco’s core Switching, Routing, and Wireless products for organizations globally. Our innovations in silicon, optics, and hardware platforms—like Silicon One—are shaping the technology industry. We value diverse perspectives and foster an inclusive environment where every team member is empowered to share their ideas and drive meaningful outcomes. Our CHG HW PMO team serves as the engine for Cisco’s hardware portfolio, redefining complex strategies into predictable, high-quality delivery through multi-functional governance and operational excellence. As a Hardware Program Manager, you will act as the primary orchestrator for next-generation platforms, driving the end-to-end product lifecycle while ensuring financial rigor and seamless alignment across our engineering and business partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering with 8+ years of experience or a master’s degree in engineering with 6+ years of experience in technical program management, or PhD with 3+ years.
• Demonstrated experience leading end-to-end, complex hardware programs with moderate to high risk and multiple multi-functional interdependencies.
• Experience in defining and delivering program plans, schedules, and budgets, including monitoring critical path activities and resource allocation.
• Experience in project management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, MS Project) to track program metrics.
• Experience using AI tools e.g. ChatGPT, Codex, Claude to improve the program management process.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in Design Verification Testing (DVT) processes within complex hardware development lifecycles.
• Extensive knowledge of hardware manufacturing environments, production workflows, and supply chain operations.
• Strategic background in supply chain operations or procurement for large-scale hardware programs.
• Current program management certification (e.g., PMP, PgMP) reflecting advanced professional standards.
• Proven ability to communicate difficult concepts and influence outcomes across internal and external partner groups.
• Demonstrated expertise with leading multi-functional dependencies in fast-paced engineering environments
• Familiarity with demonstrating advanced analytical tools and AI-enabled methodologies to optimize program management efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead program management of large-scale, high-risk hardware products for Cisco with multiple interdependencies across functions, ensuring successful end-to-end delivery from concept to customer release.
• Orchestrate multi-functional activities by aligning hardware and software engineering, product management, and operations teams to ensure cohesive, high-quality execution.
• Drive complex problem-solving by interpreting current business trends to identify and implement innovative, strategic solutions for program delivery.
• Monitor program health, lead critical path roadmaps, risk mitigation and necessary course corrections.
• Lead all aspects of budget preparations, resource allocation, and financial rigor to ensure effective utilization and alignment to business plans
• Influence and persuade partners at all levels, providing executive-level status updates and strategic recommendations for maintaining relationships.
• Provide technical expertise and mentorship to engineering project management staff, fostering process improvements and the implementation of continuous integration methodologies.

Benefits

• medical, dental and vision insurance
• a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
• paid parental leave
• short and long-term disability coverage
• basic life insurance
• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
• 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
• 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
• flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)
• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
• Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
• annual bonuses
• performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior