Cisco

Design Strategist - US Remote

Cisco • $130K — $182K *
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709In-Person
Consumer Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with 7+ years of related experience, or Master's degree with 4+ years of related experience.
  • Background in product/UX strategy, service design, or systems thinking.
  • Strong command of core UX skills including Interaction, Visual, Research, Content, and Information Architecture.
  • Proficiency in industry-standard design and research tools such as Figma and Maze.
  • Proven ability to drive decisions across cross-functional teams and delegate effectively.
  • Expertise in scoping, sequencing, and roadmapping with a focus on metrics-based outcomes.
  • Experience using design systems to create products and contribute to their development.

Responsibilities

  • Develop strategic foundations including product roadmaps and user flows for clear direction.
  • Apply desirability, feasibility, and viability frameworks in project prioritization.
  • Facilitate workshops and decision forums to drive consensus among various stakeholders.
  • Conduct rapid surveys and validation studies to inform direction and reduce risk.
  • Create low-fidelity prototypes leveraging the design system.
  • Advocate for design system evolution by identifying gaps and advocating for new features.
  • Engage UX Researchers and Designers optimally in the design process, ensuring quality and accessibility.

Benefits

  • Remote work flexibility within the US.
  • Opportunity to work on high-impact projects affecting Cisco employees globally.
  • Engagement in cross-functional collaboration to enhance design maturity.
  • Access to learning opportunities in AI-augmented UX and strategic leadership.
  • Emphasis on inclusive innovation with a focus on accessibility and ethical considerations.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 07/03/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Applications and portfolios will be reviewed the week of July 6.

Location: Remote, US

A portfolio is mandatory. Please include a link to your online portfolio with your application.

Meet the Team

Our team elevates Cisco's employee services, products, and solutions by advocating a user-centered mentality. We strengthen design capabilities and empower our People, Policy, and Purpose (3P) organization through maturing our design systems, rigorous research, and a dedication to high standards. As we transition to AI-enabled UX workflows, this role is critical to our "shift left" strategy-ensuring we define the right problems to solve before development begins. You will partner with our Service Teams on top 3P Strategic Initiatives that impact Cisco employees globally. Join us and make a real impact on the future of work at Cisco!

Your Impact

As a Design Strategist, you will move teams from ambiguity to focused execution. You are the bridge between business goals, user needs, and technical feasibility. Furthermore, you will act as a Design System Advocate, serving as a primary user and active contributor who drives the evolution of our design infrastructure to meet the needs of our most complex initiatives.

What You'll Do:
  • Define Strategic Foundations: Develop product roadmaps, Business Requirement Documents (BRDs), information architecture, and user flows that provide clear direction for product development.
  • Prioritize with Rigor: Apply desirability, feasibility, and viability frameworks to shape scope early and align stakeholders on MVP requirements.
  • Lead Discovery & Facilitation: Facilitate workshops and decision forums across Executives, Service Owners, PMs, IT/Ops, and P&C partners to drive consensus.
  • Implement Lightweight Research: Conduct rapid surveys, interviews, and validation studies to de-risk investments and inform direction.
  • Prototype & Visualize: Produce lo-fi concepts using our new Design System.
  • Drive System Evolution: As a power user, identify gaps and advocate for new features within the Design System. Work directly with our designers to ensure the platform evolves to support high-priority initiatives, effectively acting as a link between strategic needs and system capabilities.
  • Orchestrate Design Specialists: Engage UX Researchers and Designers at the optimal stages; validate AI-generated designs and provide expert guidance to reduce rework.
  • Ensure Quality & Accessibility: Prioritize ease of use, high quality, and digital accessibility (#a11y) in all product solutions.


What You'll Deliver:
  • Clear Requirements: Translation of ambiguous business problems into testable, buildable requirements.
  • Prioritized Backlogs: Implementation-ready backlogs with no design or technical gaps.
  • System Contributions: Direct feedback and feature requests that improve our Design System for all users.
  • Discovery Artifacts: Roadmaps, user flows, and frameworks that accelerate delivery readiness.
  • Fast Insights: Actionable concepts and research that validate direction and de-risk investment.
  • Thought Partnership: Coaching that raises design maturity and enables teams to ask better questions.


What You'll Learn and Work On in the Future:
  • Strategic Leadership: Master the art of navigating complex organizational landscapes, turning high-level business objectives into actionable, user-centered roadmaps.
  • AI-Augmented UX: Lead the "shift-left" movement by integrating AI-driven tools and automated workflows to scale design efficiency and quality.
  • Enterprise SaaS Ecosystems: Gain deep expertise in leading and orchestrating experiences across Cisco's core platforms, including Phenom, Workday, and ServiceNow.
  • Design System & Maturity Advocacy: Drive the evolution of our design infrastructure as a scalable asset while coaching cross-functional partners to raise design literacy and embed user-centered decision-making into our organizational DNA.
  • Inclusive Innovation: Work on global initiatives that prioritize accessibility (#a11y) and ethical AI, ensuring our solutions are equitable for all Cisco employees.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Typically: Bachelor's degree with 7+ years of related experience, or Master's degree with 4+ years of related experience.
  • Background in product/UX strategy, service design, or systems thinking with a strong ability to operate in ambiguity and "shift left" to create structure.
  • Strong command of core UX skills & capabilities (Interaction, Visual, Research, Content, and Information Architecture) with a focus on flow design and MVP prioritization.
  • Proficiency in industry-standard design and research tools (e.g., Figma for prototyping, Maze for rapid user testing) and project management platforms (e.g., Airtable, ServiceNow).
  • Proven track record to drive decisions across cross-functional teams (Executives, P&C, IT, Service Owners), articulate design rationale, and strategically delegate to specialists.
  • Expertise in scoping, sequencing, roadmapping, and metrics-tied outcomes.
  • Experience using design systems to build products and a proactive desire to contribute to their growth and feature development.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Track record of coaching non-design teams and advancing organizational design literacy.
  • Experience translating complex insights into prioritized work and buildable technical flows.
  • Familiarity with agile delivery, technical handoffs, and the application of AI-augmented design tools.
  • Experience designing for HR technology, talent acquisition, or other people-focused platforms.
  • Shown understanding of UX writing principles and interest in designing for AI/ML-powered features with an ethical lens.
  • A user-centered approach with a steadfast appetite for continuous learning and professional development.

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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