Cisco

Machine Learning Engineering Technical Leader

Cisco$234K — $296K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in a relevant technical field and 5+ years of research experience, or a Master's with 10+ years of progressive experience.
  • 3+ years developing Large Language Models (LLMs) for program synthesis or formal languages.
  • 2+ years with multi-step planning or agentic AI in developer workflows.
  • 3+ years proficiency in Python and frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow.
  • Experience in transforming research prototypes into production systems with model deployment, optimization, and evaluation.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the full lifecycle of research in AI systems for intelligent code generation.
  • Set the scientific roadmap for advanced Generative AI, focusing on reasoning and planning capabilities.
  • Advance DSL-aware code synthesis to enhance developer tools powered by LLMs.
  • Improve efficiency of distributed training and inference pipelines, balancing performance and cost.
  • Work with engineering and product teams to implement AI breakthroughs into customer solutions.
  • Mentor a high-performing research team, promoting scientific rigor and innovation.
  • Influence long-term AI strategy and decision-making across the GenAI organization.

Benefits

  • Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options.
  • Professional development opportunities and access to industry conferences.
  • Health and wellness programs, including mental health resources.
  • Generous vacation policy allowing for work-life balance.
  • Collaborative work environment that encourages innovation and creativity.
Full Job Description
Your Impact
As a Senior Staff Applied Scientist, you will:
  • Own the full lifecycle of research and deployment of next-generation AI systems for intelligent code generation, including model design, evaluation, and production rollout.
  • Define the scientific roadmap for agentic GenAI, enabling models that not only generate code but reason, plan, self-correct, and integrate with tools and runtime environments.
  • Advance the state of the art in DSL-aware code synthesis, shaping how future developer experiences are powered by LLMs across interactive and automation-driven workflows.
  • Drive efficiency and scalability of distributed training and inference pipelines to balance performance, latency, and cost - without compromising accuracy or reliability.
  • Collaborate closely with engineering and product to ensure AI breakthroughs translate quickly and safely into high-impact customer capabilities.
  • Mentor and elevate a high-performing research organization, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, creativity, and delivery excellence.
  • Shape long-term AI strategy and innovation, influencing architectural decisions, technical investments, and roadmap direction across the GenAI organization.

Minimum Qualifications
  • PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or a related technical field and 5+ years of post-doctoral or industry research experience; or a Master's degree in a related field and 10+ years of progressively responsible research experience.
  • 3+ years experience in developing Large Language Models (LLMs) for program synthesis or formal languages
  • 2+ years experience in Multi-step planning or agentic AI for developer workflows
  • 3+ years experience with Python and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
  • 3+ years experience translating research prototypes into production systems, including model deployment, optimization, and evaluation.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Strong foundation in experimental design, benchmarking, reproducibility, evaluation metrics, and scientific documentation.
  • LLMs for Code Generation - Experience with training, fine-tuning, or adapting models such as Code-LLaMA, CodeT5, StarCoder, or GPT-based code models for program synthesis, refactoring, unit test generation, static/dynamic analysis, or domain-specific languages (DSLs).
  • Domain-Specialized Modeling - Background building generative models that target structured languages (e.g., SQL, DSLs, configuration languages, or proprietary query languages/SPL).
  • Agentic AI & Tool Use - Experience designing agents that plan, call tools/APIs, self-reflect, or execute code to iteratively refine solutions.
  • Structured Reasoning & Planning - Proven success applying techniques such as chain-of-thought, self-debugging, constrained decoding, or reinforcement learning for code-oriented tasks.
  • Large-Scale Training & Optimization - Experience with distributed training, efficient inference (quantization, LoRA, caching, batching), and cost-aware scaling.
  • MLOps & Continuous Evaluation - Familiarity with automated model retraining, dataset curation, synthetic data pipelines, eval harnesses, and model health monitoring.
  • Research Leadership - Publications in premier AI/ML venues (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, AAAI, KDD, etc.) and/or recognized contributions in the code-gen / LLM community.

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
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