Cisco

Principal Engineer - Platform Engineering

Cisco$231K — $331K *
Enterprise Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of experience in large-scale distributed systems design and operations
  • 7+ years operating Kubernetes platforms in production
  • Expertise in cloud-native infrastructure across AWS, Azure, GCP, or hybrid environments
  • Proficiency in networking architectures for Kubernetes environments
  • Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code and GitOps technologies such as Terraform and ArgoCD
  • Strong leadership skills to influence and guide teams and executives
  • Track record of leading cross-organizational initiatives and technical strategy
  • Experience in implementing SRE practices including SLOs and incident management
  • Proficient in programming languages for automation and platform development like Go and Python

Responsibilities

  • Architect and evolve Kubernetes platform strategy for mission-critical workloads
  • Design and implement platform capabilities to enhance reliability and scalability
  • Partner with teams to define multi-year roadmaps and execute key initiatives
  • Lead technical response during major incidents and architecture reviews
  • Mentor senior engineers and enhance technical excellence across teams

Benefits

  • Collaborative and innovative work environment
  • Opportunity to shape the future of platform engineering across Cisco
  • Chances for mentorship and leadership development
  • Engagement in company-critical initiatives and strategy
  • Exposure to cutting-edge cloud and Kubernetes technologies
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 09/11/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

The Platform Engineering organization is responsible for building and operating the foundational cloud-native platforms that power engineering across Cisco Network Platform. Our team owns the Kubernetes ecosystem used by thousands of developers, spanning hundreds of clusters across public and on-premise environments.. We provide the infrastructure, automation, observability, security, and self-service capabilities that enable product teams to build and operate services reliably at scale.

We are a highly collaborative team of SREs, who enjoy solving complex distributed systems challenges. Our culture emphasizes ownership, operational excellence, automation, and continuous improvement. This is an opportunity to shape the future of Kubernetes and platform engineering within Cisco Network Platform while influencing the experience of engineers across the company.

Your Impact

Architect and drive the evolution of Kubernetes platform strategy across cloud and on-premises environments supporting mission-critical workloads at scale.

Lead the design and implementation of platform capabilities that improve reliability, security, scalability, and developer productivity for hundreds of engineering teams.

Partner with engineering, security, and product leaders to define multi-year platform roadmaps and drive execution of company-critical initiatives.

Provide technical leadership during major incidents, architecture reviews, platform transformations, and strategic infrastructure investments.

Mentor senior engineers and help raise the engineering bar through technical leadership, design reviews, operational excellence, and architectural guidance.

Minimum Qualifications
  • 15+ years of experience designing, building, and operating large-scale distributed systems in production environments.
  • 7+ years of hands-on experience operating Kubernetes platforms in production, including multi-cluster environments.
  • Experience architecting and operating cloud-native infrastructure across AWS, Azure, GCP, or hybrid cloud environments.
  • Experience designing, operating, and troubleshooting networking architectures for large-scale Kubernetes platforms, including CNI implementations, ingress and egress traffic management, service-to-service communication, multi-cluster connectivity, and network observability.
  • Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code and GitOps technologies, including Terraform and ArgoCD or equivalent platforms.
  • Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to effectively influence engineers, architects, senior leaders, and executive stakeholders.
  • Proven track record leading cross-organizational platform initiatives and influencing technical strategy across multiple engineering teams.
  • Experience implementing SRE practices, including SLOs, incident management, production readiness reviews, and operational excellence programs.
  • Strong software engineering experience with Go, Python, or similar programming languages used for automation and platform development.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with migrating monolithic applications to a microservices architecture.
  • Knowledge of networking (i.e. switching, routing, wifi, IoT).


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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