Cisco

Director, Solutions Engineer

Cisco$320K — $468K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years leading global technical sales teams.
  • Experience influencing expert-level technologists in security solutions.
  • Deep knowledge of enterprise security technologies (SASE, SIEM, AI).
  • Skilled in conducting technical discussions influencing industry leaders.
  • Strong strategic and analytical skills in fast-moving environments.
  • Exceptional cross-functional communication and influence in global organizations.

Responsibilities

  • Partner with leadership to define technical initiatives for market optimization.
  • Translate business goals into a technical roadmap.
  • Guide product features based on real-world insights from senior engineers.
  • Lead strategy for emerging secure networking technologies.
  • Foster continuous learning and tackle complex security challenges.
  • Engage with customers and advisors to enhance Cisco's technical profile.
  • Manage team resources aligned to strategic opportunities.

Benefits

  • Leadership opportunities in a cutting-edge innovation environment.
  • Ability to shape global security strategy.
  • Engagement with executive-level customers and industry leaders.
  • Support for continuous learning and technical excellence.
  • Participation in defining the future of security technologies.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 09/10/2026

Meet the team

You will be leading the "technical conscience" of the Cisco Security organization. You aren't just managing a team; you are shaping the future of how Cisco protects the digital footprint of our customers. You will work at the intersection of cutting-edge innovation and global business strategy, ensuring that our most brilliant minds are focused on the work that truly moves the needle.

Who You Are

We are looking for a highly technical, dynamic, high-impact leader to guide our most senior global technical cohort: our Principal and Distinguished Security Solutions Engineers. You will be a player-coach responsible for orchestrating the technical strategy that positions Cisco as the #1 Security provider. This role is not about day-to-day task management; it is about force multiplication and being a deep technical leader and evangelist and industry visionary. You will empower these elite architects to solve our customers' most complex security challenges, influence product roadmaps, and drive the evolution of Secure Networking and Cross-Architecture motions across the global security landscape.

Your Impact
  • Strategic Technical Orchestration: Partner with Business Unit (BU) leadership, Global Solutions Engineering, and Sales leadership to define the technical initiatives that optimize market share. You will translate high-level business goals into a concrete technical cross-architecture roadmap.
  • Technical Governance & Influence: Work closely with product management, the solutions engineering field, and the Principal and Distinguished SE community. Ensure that the "real-world" insights gathered by your Distinguished/Principal team are directly influencing product features, improvements, and long-term GTM roadmaps.
  • Incubation & Innovation: Lead the technical strategy for emerging secure networking and cross-architecture technologies. Mobilize your team to build the resources, tools, and processes (Demos, POVs, Workshops) that accelerate the adoption of transformative security solutions across the global team. Work closely with Security Incubation, GTM, and Enablement teams.
  • Mentorship of Elite Talent: Foster an environment of continuous learning and technical excellence. Provide the strategic framework and organizational support necessary for your team to tackle ambiguous, high-stakes problems.
  • Thought Leadership & Executive Presence: Champion the team's external presence as an evangelist and industry visionary. Drive engagement with executive-level customers, industry research bodies, and technical advisory groups to solidify Cisco's reputation for technical differentiation.
  • Operational Rigor: Manage headcount, budget, and resource allocation. Ensure your team is aligned to the highest-value opportunities and that their impact is measurable through clear success metrics.

Minimum Qualifications
  • 10+ years of experience leading highly impactful, global technical sales teams.
  • Proven ability to lead, motivate and influence expert level technologists (Principal/Distinguished Solutions Engineers) who require autonomy, create innovation and evangelize next generation technologies.
  • Deep Cyber Security Expertise: Mastery of enterprise, agentic, cloud, and security operations solutions (i.e. SASE, Hybrid Mesh Firewall, Identity, SIEM/SOAR, AI/Agentic Security, Frontier AI Models etc.).
  • Tested ability to lead deeply technical, consultative discussions while commanding the respect of industry leaders, in front of large audiences, across the partner ecosystem.
  • Strategic & Analytical Acumen: Demonstrated ability to drive consistent, dynamic processes improvement while demonstrating value commercially. You thrive on ambiguity and can pivot team focus as market conditions evolve.
  • Cross-Functional Impact: Exceptional ability to navigate a global matrixed organization. You must communicate, influence and partner with global stakeholders across Sales, Product, Finance, HR, and Engineering to drive successful outcomes both internally and externally.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Education: BA/BS in Engineering or Computer Science or commensurate experience
  • Tested executive communication skills including the ability to translate technology into business impact repeatably at scale.
  • Proven ability to lead and influence new product introduction, gather actionable customer feedback, ensure durable adoption and continuous improvement over time.
  • Significant experience engaging with large, complex customers and partners, over time, delivering measurable impact and differentiation.
  • World class presentation and communication skills exemplified at industry events on stage and in smaller consultative engagements.
  • Demonstrated ability to architect, evangelize and deliver world class security teams and solutions across multiple product areas and target verticals.
  • Hands-on experience with AI and AI security.
  • Track record of building and scaling measurably impactful SE programs including product demonstrations, workshops and proofs of value
  • Global experience leading complex, competitive technical sales 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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