The application window is expected to close on: 07/19/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

What You'll Do

The Technical Leader is an integral part of the Customer Experience (CX) team delivering Business Critical Services to our customers. Business Critical Services combines the power of Cisco Analytics and Knowledge with the best in class technical expertise and consulting (that's you) to drive value, innovation, and adoption in our customer's network. Helping them to reduce risk, drive innovation, and maximize their network to meet business objectives. You will be the customer's trusted advisor and subject matter expert helping the customer understand their network, how to reduce risks, and take advantage of the technology. You will work with Cisco Engineering to advocate for new innovation for your customer, and as a liaison share what is coming with your customers to help them be on the cutting edge of innovation.

Who You'll Work With

Our team supports customers driving innovation at some of the most innovative companies in the world. This technology team is defining the 'Future of Work' and charting the course of innovation for Service Provider, Large Enterprise and Public Sector networks. You will be partnered with a team of talented Consulting Engineers, Project Managers, and Delivery leaders obsessed with our Customer's Success and showing them the value Cisco brings to their business.

Who you Are

You are a CONSULTANT (Yes in "ALL CAPS") you have strong advisory, consulting and interpersonal skills coupled with deep technology skills in Cisco Optical platforms, specifically those supporting telco and cable space applications. You will be "Cisco's face to the customer", working in a fast-paced, high-impact environment as a visible contributor delivering on our commitments. You are a creative problem solver, comfortable with challenging the status quo and rapidly responding to escalated issues and urgent customer demands.

As an Optical Technical Leader you will provide project design, implementation services and customer support as part of Cisco CX (Customer Experience) Team supporting Cisco NCS1k and NCS2k. You will be primarily tasked with supporting Cisco Optical Networking Solutions.

In addition, you'll be responsible for:

• Architecting and crafting Cisco Optical Networks with NCS2k and NCS1k
• Preparing technical documentation including HLD, LLD, NIP, and NRFU
• Project Implementation, testing and handover for customer acceptance
• Leading implementation of Optical Networking projects and MOPS
• Daily customer support of Customers Optical Networks

Our most successful candidates possess the following skills:

• Capable of covering multiple platforms and work as domain specialist within Assigned platforms by Technical Lead (Cisco ONS-15454, NCS1k/2k)
• Excellent and in-depth knowledge of Optical technologies, with solid understanding of SONET and DWDM technology
• Expertise and experience in creating optical networks and upgrades using Cisco Transport Planner (CTP)
• High-level support, analysis, and diagnosis for sophisticated, optical network deployments
• Strong networking knowledge, sufficient enough to understand customer solutions, topologies and interaction with higher networking layers
• Ability to translate customer input and requirements into technical design requirements
• Ability to analysis optical fiber tooling (Power-meter, OTDR, PMD, CD, and AP) testing and result to validate acceptance criteria
• Support in network configuration activities of new Optical Services
• Execution of lab trial tests, and report findings to customer, prior to the implementation of new plans. Participate in preparation and testing of new SW releases.
• Experience with IOS-XR for NCS1k/NCS4k deployments.

Experience/Education:

• At least 10+ years of Optical experience
• Undergraduate degree in Telecommunications & Electronics Engineering or IT areas a plus
• More than 7 years of experience doing planning, design, and implementation of Cisco Optical SONET and DWDM networking.
• Experience with Cisco Business Critical Services of Optical networking.
• Experience with CTC (Cisco Transport Controller) and EPNM (Evolved Programmable Network Manager)
• Experience with NCS1k, NCS2k, NCS4k and IOS-XR
• Ability to travel (10%)

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

The starting salary range posted for this position is $128,100.00 to $168,200.00 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:
$158,200.00 - $241,700.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$140,600.00 - $241,800.00

* 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.