Cisco

Senior Director, Engineering - Quality (Security Business Group)

Cisco$293K — $406K *
Enterprise Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree or 15+ years in software/reliability/quality engineering roles.
  • 7+ years leading distributed quality engineering for cloud-native or enterprise software.
  • Experience with CI/CD, automated testing, and production observability.
  • Knowledge of cloud platforms and security technologies (e.g., firewalls).
  • Master's degree in Computer Science or relevant field preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Define and implement an enterprise-quality strategy for Cloud and Network Security products.
  • Establish a common quality engineering framework across development and testing.
  • Lead and develop a high-performing global Quality Engineering team.
  • Partner with various teams to embed quality early in product development.
  • Drive modern quality engineering practices like automated validation and risk-based testing.
  • Create governance and readiness mechanisms for cloud security offerings.
  • Define quality metrics and reporting connecting engineering health to customer impact.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead a global quality engineering organization.
  • Be at the forefront of quality engineering transformations in security.
  • Fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Influencing architecture decisions for testability and security in products.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 09/10/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Your Impact

Success in this role is defined by your ability to create a unified quality engineering vision that empowers Cisco Security teams to ship faster with greater confidence. You will be instrumental in improving overall reliability, security, and customer experience, effectively transforming quality into a measurable, shared responsibility across the entire Cloud and Network Security portfolio.

  • Define and implement an enterprise-quality strategy for Cloud and Network Security products, aligned with business priorities, customer outcomes, and Cisco's security standards.
  • Establish a common quality engineering framework spanning development, testing, release readiness, reliability, performance, security validation, and customer experience.
  • Lead and grow a high-performing global Quality Engineering organization, developing leaders and fostering a culture of accountability, automation, and continuous improvement.
  • Partner closely with Product Management, Engineering, Security, SRE, Support, and Customer Experience teams to embed quality early in the product lifecycle.
  • Drive a shift from traditional testing toward modern quality engineering practices, including automated validation, risk-based testing, observability, continuous delivery, and measurable quality outcomes.
  • Create consistent release governance and readiness mechanisms for complex cloud and network security offerings.
  • Define quality metrics, dashboards, and executive reporting that connect engineering health to customer impact, reliability, and business performance.
  • Lead cross-portfolio initiatives to improve defect prevention, scalability, interoperability, performance, resilience, and security assurance.
  • Advocate for customer-first quality standards, using field insights, support trends, and telemetry to prioritize improvements.
  • Influence architecture and engineering decisions to ensure products are designed for testability, operability, security, and reliability.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree or 15+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, quality engineering, reliability engineering, or related technical leadership roles.
  • 7+ years of experience leading large, distributed engineering or quality organizations defining quality strategy for cloud-native, SaaS, networking, cybersecurity, or enterprise software products.
  • Proven experience with CI/CD, automated testing, test infrastructure, API and UI validation, performance engineering, chaos/resilience testing or production observability.
  • Experience with cloud platforms, distributed systems, networking, and security technologies (eg: firewalls, SASE etc.,)


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with network security, firewall, SASE, zero trust, identity, cloud security, or threat detection products.
  • Experience operating in a large, global technology organization.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish scalable operating models and quality frameworks across multiple product teams.
  • Proven success influencing senior executives and aligning diverse organizations around shared quality and delivery outcomes.
  • Familiarity with secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) practices and compliance-driven quality requirements.
  • Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred.

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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