Cisco

Director, Cloud Engineering and Operations

Cisco • $250K — $362K *
Enterprise Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 12+ years of cloud engineering experience, with 5+ years in senior leadership roles.
  • 10+ years in multi-cloud architecture and operations (AWS, Azure, GCP).
  • 5+ years scaling FinOps frameworks and cost-management tools.
  • 5+ years in SRE practices, observability platforms, and Infrastructure as Code.
  • AWS/GCP Professional Certifications and FinOps Certified Practitioner (FOCP) required.

Responsibilities

  • Lead strategy and engineering for Cisco's multi-cloud ecosystem.
  • Define and enforce cloud governance and compliance standards.
  • Drive developer enablement through a product-led approach.
  • Manage enterprise FinOps and cloud economics effectively.
  • Ensure 24/7 operational resilience and continuous learning culture.
  • Scale a diverse, world-class engineering organization.

Benefits

  • Onsite collaboration 2-3 days per week in preferred locations (San Jose, Milpitas, Raleigh-Durham).
  • Opportunity to influence cloud operations at a large scale.
  • Engagement in cutting-edge AI and infrastructure technologies.
  • Support for professional development and certifications.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 10/08/2026Meet the Team

Enterprise AI Platforms & Infrastructure (EAIPI) powers Cisco's digital transformation by owning and operating the full infrastructure stack-including data centers, GPU clusters, storage, orchestration, and full-stack observability-within a complex hybrid-cloud environment. Our mission is to provide robust AI and infrastructure capabilities to Cisco's global enterprise, product business units, and workforce. We operate as "Customer Zero," partnering with Cisco product organizations to validate new technologies under real-world production conditions, ensuring operational excellence and reliability before external release. There is a strong preference for candidates based in San Jose (SJC) or Milpitas, California or Raleigh-Durham (RTP), North Carolina, to enable onsite collaboration 2-3 days per week.

Your Impact

As the Director of Cloud Operations, you will lead the strategy, engineering, and operational excellence of Cisco's enterprise multi-cloud ecosystem (AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI, and others). Positioned at the intersection of infrastructure, security, developer velocity, and financial efficiency, you will influence how thousands of Cisco engineers build and operate cloud workloads. You will define and enforce cloud governance and compliance, drive developer enablement through a product-led approach, manage enterprise FinOps and cloud economics, and lead cloud operations toward autonomous, AI-native infrastructure. Success in this role means maintaining 24/7 operational resilience, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and scaling a diverse, world-class engineering organization.

Minimum Qualifications
  • 12+ years of progressive cloud engineering experience, including 5+ years in senior leadership managing managers and technical leads in large enterprises.
  • 10+ years of expertise in multi-cloud architecture and operations across AWS, Azure, GCP, and hybrid environments.
  • 5+ years of experience scaling FinOps frameworks, governance models, and cost-management tools (e.g., Cloudability or cloud-native tools).
  • 5+ years of experience of modern SRE practices, observability platforms (Splunk, Datadog, Prometheus/Grafana), Infrastructure as Code (Terraform), and CI/CD automation.


Basic Qualifications
  • AWS/GCP Professional Certifications and FinOps Certified Practitioner (FOCP).
  • Experience with agentic workflows, AIOps, and AI-driven automation in enterprise IT.
  • Demonstrated success leading large-scale organizational transformations and complex platform migrations.
  • Exceptional communication skills to translate complex technical requirements into executive business strategy.

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
NASDAQ

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