Cisco

Senior Engineering Manager, AI

Cisco$234K — $296K *
US-AnywhereRemote in Washington, DC
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years in software engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
  • 5+ years of experience with production-grade AI/ML systems
  • 3+ years managing distributed training and scalable model-serving systems
  • 3+ years establishing frameworks for model evaluation and observability
  • 2+ years leading technical teams in software engineering or AI platforms

Responsibilities

  • Lead a team of engineers and AI practitioners
  • Define and execute the technical roadmap for AI initiatives
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to bring AI innovations to production
  • Drive design, development, and operation of AI/ML systems
  • Establish best practices for experimentation and model evaluation
  • Guide architectural decisions for scalable model-serving systems
  • Hire, mentor, and grow technical talent

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and training
  • Supportive and inclusive engineering culture
  • Contributing to cutting-edge AI technology
  • Flexible work environment
  • Collaboration with cross-functional teams across the organization
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 07/31/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Your Impact

As a Senior Engineering Manager, AI, you will lead a high-performing team building advanced AI capabilities for code generation and developer productivity. You will help define the technical strategy, guide execution from research to production, and partner closely with product, platform, and engineering leaders to deliver scalable, reliable AI-powered experiences.

This role is ideal for a leader with strong engineering management experience and deep technical fluency in machine learning systems, large language models, and production AI platforms as you will:

  • Lead and develop a team of engineers and AI practitioners building intelligent code generation systems and related platform capabilities.


  • Define and execute the technical roadmap for AI initiatives focused on code generation, agentic workflows, and developer tooling.


  • Partner with cross-functional teams across engineering, product, and platform to bring AI innovations into production.


  • Drive the design, development, evaluation, deployment, and operation of production-grade AI/ML systems.


  • Establish best practices for experimentation, benchmarking, model evaluation, observability, reliability, and continuous improvement.


  • Guide architectural decisions for distributed training, inference, tool integration, and scalable model-serving systems.


  • Balance innovation with operational excellence, ensuring solutions meet high standards for performance, quality, cost efficiency, and maintainability.


  • Hire, mentor, and grow technical talent while fostering an inclusive, high-accountability engineering culture.


  • Influence long-term AI strategy and investment decisions across the broader organization.


Minimum Qualifications
  • 8+ years of experience in software engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
  • 5+ years of experience designing, developing, and deploying production-grade AI/ML systems.
  • 3+ years of experience building and managing distributed training and scalable model-serving systems.
  • 3+ years of experience establishing frameworks for model evaluation, benchmarking, and observability.
  • 2+ years of experience leading technical teams in the development of software engineering or AI platforms.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Proven track record of leading and mentoring high-performing engineering and AI teams.
  • Deep expertise in designing, deploying, and operating production-grade AI/ML systems at scale.
  • Strong background in defining technical roadmaps for complex AI initiatives, such as code generation or agentic workflows.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally to drive AI innovations from concept to production.
  • Exceptional strategic leadership skills with a focus on establishing best practices for model evaluation, reliability, and architectural excellence.


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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