Solutions Engineer I&MI Routing, Optical and Automation

Cisco • San Jose, CA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join Cisco’s Internet and Mass-Scale Infrastructure (I&MI) team, a multifaceted group revolutionizing routing, optical, and automation solutions for the next generation of connectivity. We craft and deliver critical infrastructure platforms that power the largest global service providers, web-scale players, Enterprise, Public Sector customers and cloud operators. Our mission: to enable businesses to thrive in a world of exponentially growing data, AI workloads, and seamless digital experiences. In this role, as a technical leader, you will support and own the development of groundbreaking, AI-ready, software-defined infrastructures that enable next-generation infrastructure networks and will be delivering consultative expertise to customers in strategic accounts for our I&MI Routing and Optical product and solutions portfolio in the Americas region as part of the Global I&MI Transformational Pursuit team, with specific focus on Public Sector, Enterprise and Commercial projects. You will guide and support RFP responses, proofs of concept (PoCs) and architectural designs, ensuring alignment with customer objectives and industry trends. Your influence will extend beyond individual accounts, as you will collaborate with Cisco direct seller community in engaging customers at the technical and executive levels to position Cisco vision and strategy and will work on crafting Cisco’s product strategy by advocating for field and customer needs with Product Line Management and Engineering teams. You will also handle customer expectations, ensuring alignment with product and solution capabilities, while continuously driving thought leadership in the broader networking and service provider industries.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in networking transport solutions and architectures with large scale routing and switching systems, including consulting, service implementation and/or operational expertise
• Deep expertise in network transport technologies & protocols and technology domains knowledge such as MPLS, Segment Routing, SDN, 5G transport, DCI, Cloud.
• Experience with defining solution strategy and proposals in conjunction with product, engineering and operational teams, in response to customer requirements
• Must possess a solid focus on customer outcomes and be able to establish and maintain strong relationships and interlocks with different stakeholders throughout the sales cycle
• Track record in guiding responses to complex RFPs and driving PoCs for large-scale customers
• Excellent written & oral communication skills.
• English proficiency is required
• Ability to travel is required (up to 50%)
• BS/BA in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of key Cisco I&MI architectures and solutions (e.g. Agile Services Networking, Private WAN, Routed Optical Networking) or equivalent of similar vendor and good knowledge of modern technologies (SR/SRv6, EVPN)
• Strong knowledge of customer networks, their current challenges, ability to act as consultant and guide the customers – particularly Service Providers, Large Enterprises, and/or Public Sector customers.
• Knowledge of network programmability concepts (NETCONF/YANG, REST, JSON, Network telemetry) and Cisco Automation tools is highly regarded
• CCNP, CCDP, CCIE SP certification or similar vendor certifications

Responsibilities

• Support and own the development of groundbreaking, AI-ready, software-defined infrastructures.
• Deliver consultative expertise to customers in strategic accounts for I&MI Routing and Optical product and solutions portfolio in the Americas region.
• Focus on Public Sector, Enterprise and Commercial projects.
• Guide and support RFP responses, proofs of concept (PoCs) and architectural designs.
• Collaborate with Cisco direct seller community in engaging customers at the technical and executive levels.
• Position Cisco vision and strategy.
• Craft Cisco’s product strategy by advocating for field and customer needs with Product Line Management and Engineering teams.
• Handle customer expectations, ensuring alignment with product and solution capabilities.
• Continuously drive thought leadership in the broader networking and service provider industries.

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
• grants of Cisco restricted stock units
• 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 (non-exempt)
• flexible vacation time off program (exempt)
• 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 (for non-sales roles)
• performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary (for sales roles)

What This Job Offers

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