Cisco

Cleared DevOps Lead Engineer Hybrid

Cisco$146K — $214K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience in software engineering, DevOps, or cloud infrastructure.
  • Self-starter with experience in agile teams and direct client interfaces.
  • Proven ability to deploy/migrate applications to cloud-based Kubernetes environments.
  • Understanding of AWS cloud services and platforms.
  • Extensive experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC), especially Terraform/OpenTofu.
  • Proficiency in programming languages like Python, Ruby, or Go, and CI/CD pipeline tools.

Responsibilities

  • Lead an engineering team, guiding development towards high performance.
  • Collaborate to create, deploy, and improve product portfolios.
  • Define and enforce best practices within the program.
  • Translate architectural decisions into actionable designs.
  • Address technical challenges with refined solutions to meet user needs.
  • Stay updated on industry techniques and collaborate with peers.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contributions.
  • Paid parental leave and disability coverage.
  • Flexible vacation time program for exempt employees.
  • 16 days of paid vacation for non-exempt employees plus additional wellness days.
  • Eligible for stock units that vest over time.
  • Paid time off for volunteering and personal wellness.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 07/18/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This role is hybrid in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, DC Metro Area, Beltway Area.

The successful applicant will be performing work on US Government classified environments, and therefore, must be a U.S. Citizen. This position may also perform work that the U.S. government has specified can only be performed by a U.S. citizen on U.S. soil.

Your Impact

Curious and a problem solver. Love to learn and grow and work in an environment that is constantly evolving. A self-starter that thrives with learning information quickly and uses resources to research and resolve issues. Comfortable working with multi-disciplinary, multicultural, and geographically dispersed teams. A technologist at heart and a leader in practice that is:

  • Knowledgeable of industry standards and successful strategies
  • Proficient with Development Operations
  • Aware of software development risks, with an appreciation for what is technically feasible
  • Able to maintain a high level of coding, testing, and engineering standards
  • Able to be flexible and adaptable if changes in priorities occur
  • Confident and preemptive in communicating challenges or opportunities

What You'll Do / The Role

As a Lead Engineer for the Cisco Workspace for Government Application Infrastructure and Deployment Team you will help lead a modest engineering team. You will work alongside the Program Leadership to lead and develop the current team into a high functioning team. Bring innovation and order to complex technical situations. Make core technical contributions to software systems. Collaborate with multi-functional teams outside of the W4G Program to design, implement, and advise on solutions that meet partner and business needs.

  • Partner with the Engineering Manager, Software Architect, and Portfolio Owner team to create, deploy, and continuously improve our portfolio of products in development and production environments
  • Define, implement, and enforce best practices for the W4G Program
  • Refine architectural decisions into designs. Communicate designs to both technical and non-technical partners
  • Address technical challenges and refine designs to meet user requirements and implement standard methodologies
  • Keep up to date with the latest methods and techniques in industry and collaborate with engineering leaders and engineers

Minimum Qualifications

  • 7+ years of professional experience in software engineering, DevOps, cloud infrastructure, or other relevant technical areas.
  • Self-starter with a willingness to ask forgiveness, not permission, who has a proven track record of collaborating in agile teams, participating in code reviews, leading technical discussions, and interfacing directly with clients to deliver high-quality features on schedule.
  • Proven ability to deploy or migrate production applications to cloud-based Kubernetes environments, ensuring scalability and high availability.
  • Understanding of cloud computing platforms and services, particularly AWS.
  • Extensive experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC), emphasizing Terraform/OpenTofu.
  • Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Python, Ruby, or Go, with experience in CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, etc.) and the capability to apply well-established enterprise standards, processes, and procedures to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of engineering projects.
  • Strong knowledge of TCP/IP, routing fundamentals, containerization, and orchestration tools such as Docker and Kubernetes.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Active U.S. Government Security Clearance.
  • Hands-on experience applying and integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI-powered development tools into software engineering workflows. Ability to apply AI to accelerate development, improve code quality, automate routine tasks, enhance troubleshooting, and increase team productivity while maintaining strong engineering judgment and security standards.
  • Familiarity with designing, deploying, and scaling applications in the cloud.
  • Strong knowledge of software design and deployment principles.
  • Experience with microservices architecture and API design.
  • Familiarity with databases including both relational and NoSQL databases.
  • Proficiency in multiple scripting languages.
  • Security knowledge to ensure that systems are designed with security best practices.


S&TO

The starting salary range posted for this position is $146,700.00 to $214,800.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco's plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies:
  • 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
  • Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
  • Exempt employees participate in Cisco's 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


For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:
  • .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;
  • 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;
  • 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and
  • Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.


For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:
$165,000.00 - $277,600.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$146,700.00 - $247,000.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco's sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.

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
Net Income
$10.1 billion
Founded
2014
5 Year Trend
+1.4%
Revenue
$48 billion
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