Cisco

Director, Technical Marketing - Data Center Networking Business

Cisco$220K — $291K *
Information Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline; PhD is a plus.
  • 15+ years of deep technical experience in data center networking, systems engineering, product engineering, or technical marketing.
  • 10+ years of expert-level proficiency in NX-OS and Nexus platform architectures, including VXLAN and EVPN.
  • 10+ years hands-on expertise in RDMA over Converged Ethernet and GPU cluster interconnect design.
  • 10+ years proficiency in Python, Ansible, Terraform, and other automation tools.

Responsibilities

  • Define and publish authoritative reference architectures for key use cases.
  • Act as an executive technical advisor to product management and engineering.
  • Write landmark technical publications for industry events.
  • Lead technical briefings for strategic global accounts.
  • Build and validate lab environments and perform rigorous benchmarking.
  • Mentor senior engineers and drive technical excellence across the organization.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work with groundbreaking data center technologies and architectures.
  • Engagement with industry leaders and key stakeholders in technical innovation.
  • Access to a challenging role that influences product roadmaps and strategies.
  • A platform for thought leadership in technical marketing and networking.
  • Potential for mentorship and team leadership opportunities.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 08/21/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

As a Director of Technical Marketing, you will join a team of subject matter authorities, working on ground breaking data center networking fabric architectures and Agentic Ops frameworks. You will operate as a senior individual contributor and trusted executive advisor, collaborating across engineering, product management, sales, and the broader industry ecosystem to build the future of networking.

Your Impact

In this role, you will be the most senior technical voice behind Cisco's Nexus 9000 portfolio, NX-OS, Nexus Dashboard, and AI Networking Fabric solutions. Your work will directly influence product roadmaps, competitive positioning, and go-to-market strategies.

Key responsibilities include:
  • Technical Authority: Define, validate, and publish authoritative reference architectures for critically meaningful use cases, including AI/ML training fabrics, VXLAN/EVPN, and HPC environments.
  • Strategic Influence: Function as an executive technical advisor to product management and engineering, identifying market whitespace and championing strategic technical requirements.
  • Thought Leadership: Author landmark technical publications and represent Cisco at world-class industry events (e.g., Cisco Live, OCP Summit, GTC).
  • Customer & Partner Engagement: Lead deep-dive technical briefings for strategic global accounts and build long-term relationships with ecosystem partners like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel.
  • Hands-On Innovation: Build and validate end-to-end lab environments, perform rigorous benchmarking, and develop automation frameworks to demonstrate Cisco's differentiation.
  • Mentorship: Act as a force multiplier by mentoring senior and principal-level engineers and driving technical excellence across the organization.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline (PhD is a plus) or equivalent combination of skills and experience.
  • Experience: 15+ years of deep technical experience in data center networking, systems engineering, product engineering, or technical marketing.
  • Networking Expertise: 10+ years of expert-level proficiency in NX-OS, Nexus platform architectures, VXLAN, EVPN, BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, Segment Routing, and data center fabric build at scale.
  • AI/HPC Proficiency: 10+ years of hands-on expertise in RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE v2), GPUDirect RDMA, GPU cluster interconnect design, and lossless Ethernet fabric design.
  • Automation: 10+ years proficiency in Python, Ansible, Terraform, YANG/NETCONF, gNMI, and OpenConfig.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Leadership: Prior people management or technical team leadership experience.
  • Certifications: CCIE Data Center, CCIE Service Provider, or equivalent expert-level industry certifications.
  • Ecosystem Experience: Hands-on experience with AI infrastructure platforms (e.g., NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD, HGX) and open-source networking (SONiC, FRRouting, DPDK).
  • Cloud & Performance: Experience with cloud-native networking, Kubernetes (CNI plugins), service mesh architectures, and performance benchmarking tools (IXIA, Spirent).
  • Industry Recognition: Published patents, academic papers, or recognized contributions to data center/AI domains.
  • Business Acuity: Familiarity with P&L dynamics, business planning, and go-to-market strategies for technical products.
  • Analyst Relations: Exposure to working with Gartner, IDC, or Forrester analysts in a technical advisory capacity.
  • Communication: Outstanding written and verbal skills, with a consistent track record to convey sophisticated technical concepts to both technical and executive audiences.
  • Leadership: Demonstrated ability to drive outcomes and influence product strategy through cross-functional leadership without direct authority.

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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