Cisco

Machine Learning Engineer

Cisco$165K — $209K *
Enterprise Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in STEM plus 5+ years or Master's degree plus 3+ years of relevant experience; PhD with no experience also considered
  • 5+ years in data engineering or machine learning engineering
  • Experience designing and scaling data pipelines for unstructured data
  • Experience with ML infrastructure and data workflows
  • Proficiency in Python and data processing frameworks such as Spark, Beam, or Ray
  • Familiarity with ML systems including training pipelines and evaluation frameworks

Responsibilities

  • Architect data infrastructure for real-time reasoning about network failures
  • Design and scale automated pipelines from production logs to insights
  • Develop synthetic data generation systems for edge case learning
  • Solve network complexity challenges with time and state dependencies
  • Collaborate with researchers on next-gen AI-driven network management

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model based in San Jose or Seattle
  • Opportunity to shape the culture and direction of a new team
  • Work with a diverse team of experts in AI and networking
  • Chance to directly influence AI applications in Cisco's network products
  • Engagement in both foundational and applied research projects
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 07/13/2026
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 San Jose or Seattle office.

Meet the Team

The Cisco AI Research team is composed of AI research scientists, data scientists, and network engineers with deep subject matter expertise. This diverse group collaborates on both foundational and applied research projects, driven by the challenge of connecting people and devices at a global scale. The team is newly formed and dynamic, blending AI and networking domain experts who work closely with engineers, product managers, and strategists experienced in AI and distributed systems. Members have the opportunity to shape the culture and direction of this growing team.

Your Impact

We are seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to build dynamic troubleshooting agents that don't just monitor networks-they understand them. Our team is solving for the massive complexity of unstructured production log data, optimizing hardware utilization for data collection, and automating the creation of synthetic datasets that push the boundaries of what LLMs can achieve in network configuration and remediation. You won't just be maintaining pipelines, you will be architecting the data infrastructure that allows our models to reason through real-world network failures in real-time.

  • Design and scale automated pipelines that transform raw, high-velocity production logs into high-quality insights.


  • Develop systems that generate synthetic data, enabling our models to learn from edge cases that rarely occur in the wild.


  • Solve network complexity problems by tackling the unique challenges of time and network state dependencies to improve the accuracy of our agents.


  • Optimize at scale through efficient data collection and hardware utilization, ensuring our ML infrastructure remains performant as our agent capabilities expand.


  • Help shape the future of Network AI by collaborating directly with researchers to define the next generation of AI-driven network management for Cisco network products such as Meraki, ThousandEyes, Catalyst Center and Nexus.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in STEM and 5+ years of relevant experience, or Master's degree in STEM and 3+ years of relevant experience and or PhD in STEM +0 years of relevant experience or equivalent related work experience


  • 5+ years of experience in data engineering, machine learning engineering, or related roles.


  • Data Pipeline experience, designing and scaling data pipelines for unstructured or semi-structured data, including ingestion, cleansing, and auditing.


  • ML Infrastructure experience working with ML data workflows, including dataset creation, labeling, and evaluation.


  • Experience with Python and data processing frameworks (e.g., Spark, Beam, Ray).


  • Experience with ML systems and tools, such as training pipelines and model evaluation frameworks.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with human-in-the-loop ML systems, active learning, weak supervision or self-evolving agents.


  • Exposure large language models, computer vision, or speech datasets.


  • Experience building internal tools or platforms used by annotation or operations teams.

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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