Cisco

Senior Engineering Program Manager

Cisco • $169K — $237K *
Seattle, WA 98115In-Person
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree plus 9 years of related experience, or Master's degree plus 7 years, or PhD plus 4 years, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Proven experience in leading complex, high-visibility programs with measurable outcomes.
  • Strong learning agility with a history of resolving issues in unfamiliar technical areas.
  • Ability to influence teams without direct authority and build alignment toward common goals.
  • Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal guidance in ambiguous situations.
  • Excellent communication skills with experience in conveying complex ideas to executive-level audiences.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute strategic service vision in collaboration with Security Engineering stakeholders.
  • Establish and drive the roadmap and objectives, ensuring team accountability for key performance indicators.
  • Proactively identify problems, manage dependencies, and eliminate blockers to team progress.
  • Adopt a product leader mindset to enhance the security value of services and optimize developer experience.
  • Engage with stakeholders to minimize developer friction and promote secure practices as the preferred choice.
  • Provide clear insights on progress and risks to senior leadership for informed decision-making.
  • Manage multiple concurrent service programs, making critical prioritization decisions.

Benefits

  • Remote work flexibility across the USA.
  • Opportunity to work on consequential security programs that influence company strategy.
  • Engagement in deeply technical challenges that drive significant organizational impact.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 11/29/2026
The application window is expected to close on: 11/13/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Preferred location for this role : Remote everywhere within USA.

Your Impact

As a Senior Engineering Program Manager, you'll lead some of Cisco's most consequential security programs. These are cross-functional, multi-year efforts that secure the software the company runs on, shape where the business is headed, and earn the attention of its most senior leaders. You'll own the outcomes end to end and the story we tell about them.

In this role, you'll face some of the hardest challenges in the industry today, and when you solve them, security lands across the board - developers across Cisco adopt the services you ship, the commitments leadership is counting on are met predictably, and Cisco's software grows measurably safer over time.

If you like to operate in deeply technical spaces, driving measurable outcomes, few roles will stretch you further, or make as material a difference in an organization.

What You'll Do
  • Turn service vision into strategy and execution in partnership with Security Engineering Service Owners and Engineering Managers:
  • Set the roadmap and objectives and key results, then drive delivery, holding teams accountable for KPIs to prove it's working.
  • Clear the path as you go. Spot issues early, untangle dependencies, and unblock teams before they stall.
  • Think like a product leader. Treat every service as a product and its developers as customers you must win:
  • Optimize the security value each service delivers and make it the best it can be.
  • Win hearts and minds by hunting down developer friction and redesigning in partnership with key stakeholders, so the secure path is the one they would choose anyway.
  • Be the signal in the noise for leadership. Turn progress, risk, and tradeoffs into the clear picture leaders need to make the right decisions.
  • Steer a portfolio of concurrent service programs. Make the tough prioritization calls when programs compete for the same people, time, and attention.
  • Raise the bar for the whole team. Sharpen the program management practices, standards, and tooling everyone relies on.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's + 9 years of related experience; or Master's + 7 years; or PhD + 4 years - or equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience.
  • Demonstrated experience leading large-scale, complex, high-visibility programs to measurable outcomes.
  • Exceptional learning agility: a track record of ramping quickly in unfamiliar, technical domains, digging beneath the surface to find the real problem, and driving resolution.
  • Skilled at influencing without direct authority: a trusted team player who builds alignment across teams and partners and rallies others toward a shared goal.
  • Highly self-directed: operates autonomously under ambiguity and broad scope, delivering with minimal direction.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with substantial experience at the executive level, to turn complexity into clear, decision-ready narratives.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Fluency in how modern software is built and secured across the software development lifecycle (SDLC) - enough to partner credibly with engineers. A background in software engineering or DevOps is ideal, and hands-on security experience is a strong plus.
  • An understanding of how AI is reshaping software development and security.
  • Product management experience, or program management working hand in hand with product teams, with a track record of turning customer needs into shipped outcomes
  • A program management certification (e.g., PMP, PGMP) is a plus.

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
Telecommunications & Hardware
Net Income
$10.1 billion
Founded
2014
5 Year Trend
+1.4%
Revenue
$48 billion
NASDAQ
CSCO
* Ladders Estimates

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