Cisco

Principal AI Researcher, AISWP (Hybrid)

Cisco$263K — $333K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in STEM with 15+ years of experience, or a Master's with 12+ years, or a PhD with 8+ years of relevant research experience.
  • Proven track record in architecting and leading pre-training and reinforcement learning pipelines for large-scale models.
  • At least 6 publications in top-tier AI conferences, with significant citations.
  • 5+ years of experience with training pipelines using PyTorch or similar frameworks in distributed computing settings.
  • 4+ years of experience in applying generative ML models to complex domain-specific systems like networking or cybersecurity.

Responsibilities

  • Define and manage the strategic research roadmap for large language models in network security and optimization.
  • Lead large-scale pre-training and reinforcement learning initiatives to develop foundational models.
  • Design advanced agentic frameworks and autonomous operations to enhance IT reasoning capabilities.
  • Act as a principal advisor to executives, translating AI breakthroughs into enterprise-grade products.
  • Enhance Cisco's reputation as a global AI leader by publishing impactful research and driving scientific discussion.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model based in Seattle or San Jose office.
  • Opportunity to influence top-tier AI research and industry standards.
  • Engagement in pioneering projects with significant global impact.
  • Chance to be part of a leading technology firm at the forefront of AI innovations.
  • Access to advanced tools and large-scale computing resources for research.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 10/04/2026This is a hybrid position based out of Cisco's Seattle or San Jose office.

Your Impact

As a Principal AI Researcher, you will define the technical vision and overarching architecture for Cisco's proprietary intelligence, serving as a primary catalyst for how we secure and automate the global network. Moving beyond leading individual projects, you will define the multi-year research strategy, pioneering novel approaches in foundation model development, agentic workflows, and self-improving systems. You will bridge the gap between theoretical generative AI breakthroughs and hyperscale production deployments, guiding the evolution from generalized models to highly specialized, domain-expert architectures. By orchestrating complex, end-to-end pre-training and alignment initiatives, you will cement our technology at the absolute vanguard of the AI era, directly impacting the performance, security, and intelligence of the world's digital backbone.
  • Define and drive the overarching strategic research roadmap for purpose-built large language models securing and optimizing Cisco's networking, security, data center, and observability infrastructure.
  • Spearhead massive-scale pre-training, continued pre-training (CPT), and advanced reinforcement learning initiatives to establish industry-leading foundational models.
  • Architect advanced agentic frameworks and autonomous operations, pushing the boundaries of reasoning capabilities and intelligent routing layers for IT environments.
  • Serve as a principal technical advisor to executive leadership, translating abstract AI research breakthroughs into scalable, enterprise-grade product ecosystems.
  • Elevate Cisco's position as a premier global leader by publishing high-impact research, spearheading workshop proposals at top-tier AI venues, and driving the broader scientific discourse.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in STEM with 15+ years of experience, a Master's degree with 12+ years of experience, or a PhD in STEM or a related technical field with 8+ years of highly relevant research experience.
  • Experience architecting and leading multiple full-cycle pre-training, continual pre-training, or reinforcement learning pipelines for massive-scale foundational models, dictating dataset curation, distributed training strategies, and alignment execution.
  • Minimum of 6 publications in top-tier AI venues (ACL, EMNLP, ICLR, ICML, NAACL, NeurIPS), with a history of significant citations or influential contributions.
  • 5+ years of experience engineering and scaling training pipelines using PyTorch or similar frameworks on massive distributed computing environments (e.g., cluster environments using 1000+ GPUs).
  • 4+ years of experience pioneering the application of generative ML models to highly complex, domain-specific systems such as networking, cybersecurity, or data center infrastructure.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Demonstrated experience defining the technical architecture for AI Developer Experiences, agentic frameworks, or autonomous troubleshooting agents deployed in production environments.
  • Deep expertise in advanced optimization methodologies, including context engineering, efficient serving architectures, and low-latency inference pipelines.
  • Exceptional executive-level communication skills, with the ability to influence company-wide technical direction, secure stakeholder consensus, and mentor senior research talent.
  • History of organizing or leading initiatives within the academic community, such as delivering keynotes or chairing sessions at major industry conferences.
  • Domain expertise in networking or cybersecurity, with a portfolio of translating this domain knowledge into benchmark-setting expert models.

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

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Cisco

More Information Technology Jobs

Find similar Principal AI Researcher, AISWP (Hybrid) jobs: