Cisco

AI Researcher

Cisco • $184K — $238K *
San Francisco, CA 94112In-Person
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree plus 5 years related experience, Master's degree plus 3 years, or PhD plus 1 year.
  • Experience in cyber threat intelligence, vulnerability analysis, incident response, or detection engineering.
  • Ability to analyze large datasets and derive actionable insights from threat intelligence.
  • Hands-on experience developing detection content such as YARA rules and behavioral detections.
  • Familiarity with OSINT threat investigations and producing detailed intelligence reports.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct AI threat intelligence research to identify malicious actors targeting AI frameworks.
  • Develop and maintain detection content for cloud product integration.
  • Assess security risks throughout the AI lifecycle from development to runtime.
  • Perform adversarial testing and red teaming on various AI deployments.
  • Translate research findings into practical security measures and frameworks.
  • Synthesize large-scale threat telemetry using advanced data platforms.
  • Collaborate with engineering and product teams to create automated defense mechanisms.

Benefits

  • Flexible working hours and remote work options.
  • Comprehensive health insurance plans.
  • Professional development opportunities and training.
  • Collaborative team environment focused on innovation.
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and AI tools.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 09/27/2026Meet the Team

The AI Threat Intelligence and Security Research team helps make AI safer to build, deploy, and use. We study emerging threats across AI models, applications, agents, and supply chains, then translate our research into practical protections-including red teaming, security tools, threat detections, provenance capabilities, runtime guardrails, and product innovations. We also advance the field through open-source projects, industry frameworks, technical publications, customer and partner engagement, and education.

Your Impact

In this role, you will analyze emerging AI threat vectors, build automated detections, and collaborate closely with other AI/ML teams, product managers, and core engineering teams to protect cloud-scale AI systems. You will:
  • Conduct AI threat intelligence research to identify, track, and profile malicious actors and adversarial techniques targeting AI models, applications, and agentic workflows.
  • Develop, evaluate, and maintain detection content-including heuristics, behavioral detections, and telemetry-driven analytics-for integration into customer-facing cloud products.
  • Research and assess security risks across the AI lifecycle, from model development and training through deployment and runtime use, including prompt injection chains, provenance, data poisoning, backdoors, and malicious dependencies.
  • Conduct adversarial testing and red teaming across models, applications, and agentic deployments.
  • Translate research into impact through evaluations, detection pipelines, security frameworks, open-source tools, and customer guidance.
  • Analyze and synthesize large-scale threat telemetry using modern data platforms such as Snowflake and AI-assisted analysis tools.
  • Partner with engineering and product leadership to translate adversarial research into automated, production-ready defense mechanisms inside Cisco Cloud Control.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of related experience, Master's degree plus 3 years of related experience, or PhD plus 1 year of related experience.
  • Prior experience in one or more areas such as cyber threat intelligence (CTI), security research, vulnerability analysis, incident response, or detection engineering. Ability to derive actionable insights from threat intelligence, large datasets, and/or ambiguous signals to inform clear understanding of threat landscape
  • Applied experience developing and maintaining detection content, including YARA rules, behavioral detections, or threat queries.
  • Experience conducting OSINT-based threat investigations and producing clear, actionable intelligence reports; familiarity with dark-web research methods is a plus.
  • Previous experience with threat intelligence platforms and/or evaluating adversarial risks in AI/ML systems, such as prompt injection, data poisoning, model backdoors, evasion, or agent and tool abuse.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Applied experience with agentic AI architectures, tool-calling protocols such as the Model Context Protocol, or AI security and guardrail frameworks.
  • Proficiency in Python and SQL for research, data analysis, and automation.
  • Experience using AI-assisted coding tools such as Claude Code, Cursor, or Codex to automate workflows and accelerate research, and improve investigations through scripts, workflows, or other tooling.
  • Background in adversarial red teaming, blue teaming, security operations, or mapping threats and controls to frameworks such as the Cisco AI Security and Safety Framework, MITRE ATLAS, and relevant OWASP Top 10 frameworks
  • Familiarity with the end-to-end AI lifecycle, including model development and training, data ingestion, application integration, deployment, and runtime security.


About Cisco

Cisco Careers

Join the vibrant team at Cisco, a global leader in networking and cybersecurity solutions, where innovation and leadership thrive. Cisco offers a plethora of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and experiences, making it an ideal place for both seasoned professionals and those seeking an internship to jumpstart their career. Work You’ll Do At Cisco, you’ll be part of a culture that values diversity, leadership, and professional growth. Engage in work that matters with a team that combines technology, creativity, and the power of human connection to redefine networking. Cisco’s commitment to innovation isn’t just about technology, but also about transforming the way we work and collaborate. Cisco’s employment philosophy supports career advancement and nurtures a leadership pipeline that is equipped with diversity training and opportunities for growth. Whether you’re applying your skills to drive our latest innovations or using our vast networking capabilities to solve complex problems, at Cisco, every role is impactful. Join Our Dynamic Team Explore job opportunities in areas ranging from engineering to marketing, sales to cybersecurity. Cisco is hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and ready to drive change. Positions at Cisco offer competitive benefits, a supportive culture, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology. Internship Programs Kickstart your career with a Cisco internship. Gain invaluable industry experience, enhance your resume, and build professional networks that last a lifetime. Our internships provide hands-on experience and the chance to work on projects that matter. Leadership and Development Cisco is committed to fostering leadership skills and providing employees with the training needed to succeed. Our leadership programs help you develop new skills, manage teams effectively, and lead with confidence. Cisco’s commitment to professional development ensures that your career path is as dynamic as our technologies. Benefits and Culture Cisco understands the importance of a balanced life. Our benefits package is designed to ensure that our team members are healthy, happy, and secure. At Cisco, you’ll find a supportive culture that encourages open communication, teamwork, and mutual respect. Stay Connected Join Cisco’s Talent Network Stay informed about new positions that match your skills and interests. At Cisco, we value the curiosity and unique perspectives of our team members. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and insider tips directly from our hiring managers. Explore Cisco Jobs Ready to advance your career at Cisco? Search open positions, prepare your resume, and get ready for an interview that could lead to your next big opportunity. At Cisco, we’re not just filling positions—we’re investing in leaders. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await you at Cisco.
Learn more about Cisco
Size
79,500 employees
Market Cap
$194.5 billion
Industry
Telecommunications & Hardware
Net Income
$10.1 billion
Founded
2014
5 Year Trend
+1.4%
Revenue
$48 billion
NASDAQ
CSCO
* Ladders Estimates

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