Cisco

Lead Machine Learning Engineering, (Hybrid)

Cisco • $197K — $249K *
Seattle, WA 98115In-Person
Enterprise Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 8+ years of relevant experience, OR Master's degree with 6+ years, OR PhD with 3+ years in a technical field.
  • 3+ years of experience building and scaling datasets for ML training and evaluation.
  • 5+ years of professional programming experience using Python, C++, or Go.
  • 5+ years of experience with machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.

Responsibilities

  • Design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines for ML and LLM development.
  • Architect human-in-the-loop labeling workflows for quality control and feedback integration.
  • Develop strategies for synthetic data generation to enhance dataset quality.
  • Leverage LLMs to automate data generation, labeling, and evaluation processes.
  • Establish systems to measure and mitigate dataset failure modes, linking dataset composition to model performance.
  • Collaborate with researchers and ML engineers to define dataset requirements for various projects.
  • Provide technical direction on infrastructure and storage decisions, while mentoring the team.],
  • benefits:[
  • Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
  • Generous retirement plan options.
  • Opportunity for continuous learning and professional development.
  • Flexible work hours with hybrid work model.
  • Supportive work environment fostering innovation.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
  • Generous retirement plan options.
  • Opportunity for continuous learning and professional development.
  • Flexible work hours with a hybrid work model.
  • Supportive work environment fostering innovation.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 09/28/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This is a hybrid role based out of Cisco's Seattle or San Jose office.

Your Impact

As a Lead Machine Learning Engineer, you will build and improve the data and ML systems that power our LLMs and AI models.

A major focus of this role is solving one of the most important challenges in modern AI: creating high-quality training and evaluation data at scale. You will design and build scalable data pipelines, improve human data labeling workflows, create synthetic datasets, and develop automated approaches for continuously measuring and improving dataset quality.

This is a hands-on technical role at the intersection of machine learning engineering and data engineering. You will work closely with researchers, engineers, and domain experts to determine what data our models need, how to create it efficiently, and how to measure its impact on model performance.

  • Design, build, and maintain robust, scalable data pipelines that support the full lifecycle of ML and LLM development, from initial data ingestion to production-ready model deployment.
  • Architect and manage human-in-the-loop labeling workflows, including task generation, quality control, and feedback integration to ensure high-fidelity training data.
  • Develop scalable strategies for synthetic data generation, filtering, and validation to enhance dataset diversity, coverage, and overall quality.
  • Leverage LLMs and advanced ML techniques to automate data generation, labeling, scoring, and evaluation processes, increasing efficiency and consistency.
  • Establish rigorous systems to measure and mitigate dataset failure modes-such as bias, contamination, and distribution shifts-while designing experiments that directly link dataset composition to model performance.
  • Collaborate closely with researchers and ML engineers to define dataset requirements for fine-tuning, preference learning, and agent development, ensuring alignment with project goals.
  • Provide technical direction on infrastructure, compute, and storage decisions while fostering engineering excellence through design reviews, best practices, and team mentorship.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 8+ years of relevant experience, OR Master's degree in a STEM field with 6+ years of relevant experience, OR PhD in STEM or a relevant technical field with 3+ years of industry or academic research experience.
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience building, curating, and scaling datasets for machine learning training and evaluation.
  • 5+ years of professional programming experience using Python, C++, or Go within a production or research environment.
  • 5+ years of experience using machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or equivalent technologies to develop, train, evaluate, and deploy machine learning models.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Expertise in curating, scaling, and managing datasets for the entire LLM lifecycle-including synthetic data generation, augmentation, and post-training workflows like SFT and RLHF.
  • Proficiency in designing human-in-the-loop labeling systems and proactively mitigating complex dataset failure modes such as label noise, bias, contamination, and distribution shift.
  • Demonstrated success using LLMs for data generation, model-assisted labeling, and evaluation, with a focus on connecting iterative dataset changes to measurable improvements in model performance.
  • Strong technical foundation in distributed data processing frameworks (e.g., Spark, Ray, Beam) and the ability to architect and deploy complex data engineering projects into production.
  • A research-engineering mindset that bridges the gap between experimentation and production, combined with the communication skills to influence researchers, engineers, and product stakeholders.

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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