Cisco

Software Technical Leader

Cisco$162K — $234K *
Information Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in Computer Science or related field plus 12+ years of experience, or Master's plus 8+ years, or PhD plus 5+ years.
  • Expertise in large-scale distributed systems and high-volume data ingestion.
  • Proficiency in Go or Java with focus on concurrency, memory management, and performance optimization.
  • Experience in translating business strategy into technical vision with major engineering program leadership.
  • Knowledge in defining architecture and engineering standards for production systems.

Responsibilities

  • Translate strategy into a long-term technical vision for the ingestion platform.
  • Lead multi-team initiatives to enhance performance and reliability of the Splunk platform.
  • Set architectural direction through comprehensive system trade-offs and defining new capabilities.
  • Influence cross-functional leaders on product and program priorities.
  • Establish sustainable software development processes and continuous improvement practices.
  • Mentor senior engineers and strengthen knowledge-sharing across teams.

Benefits

  • Collaborative engineering culture focused on secure and maintainable code.
  • Opportunity to influence cross-functional technical direction and strategy.
  • Access to advanced cloud-native infrastructure and technology stack.
  • Engagement with high-volume data processing and real-time observability.
  • Support for continuous professional development and mentoring opportunities.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 08/21/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

The Ingest Processor Team is the foundational engine of the Splunk Integrated Data Platform, responsible for the architecture and evolution of high-throughput pipelines that process petabytes of data for real-time observability and security. Our work spans the Cisco and Splunk portfolio and sets the technical direction for mission-critical ingestion capabilities used by global enterprise customers. We are a collaborative engineering organization that values secure and maintainable code, rigorous testing, data-informed decisions, and pragmatic architecture. In this strategic individual contributor role, you will shape technology and engineering priorities across teams while remaining close to the hardest distributed systems problems in the platform.

Your Impact

Translate regional and functional strategy into a long-term technical vision for the ingestion platform, with clear engineering priorities and alignment across teams. Lead major, multi-team initiatives that advance the scale, performance, security, reliability, and cost efficiency of the Splunk platform. Set architectural direction by making whole-system trade-offs and defining new platform capabilities where customer needs require them. Influence product and program priorities, delivery timing, and technical specifications with engineering, product, and cross-functional leaders. Establish standards and sustainable processes for software development, production issue identification, response, and continuous improvement. Mentor and influence senior engineers, strengthen knowledge-sharing practices, and represent the team's technical work within the broader professional community.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field plus 12+ years of related experience; or a Master's degree plus 8+ years; or a PhD plus 5+ years of related experience.
  • Expertise in large-scale distributed systems, high-volume data ingestion, streaming architectures, and the performance and reliability patterns required for petabyte-scale production platforms.
  • Specialized depth and broad technical acumen in Go or Java, including concurrency, memory management, secure coding, testing, debugging, and performance optimization in complex production systems.
  • Experience translating business or product strategy into a technical vision and lead major engineering programs that span multiple teams, a business segment, a function, or a region.
  • Experience defining architecture and engineering standards across teams, including observability, incident response, root-cause analysis, risk reduction, and continuous improvement for production systems.
  • Experience with cloud-native infrastructure and distributed data technologies, including Kubernetes, microservices, distributed storage, messaging or streaming systems, and public-cloud platforms.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Industry or thought leadership in scale, performance, distributed-system design patterns, or real-time data platforms, demonstrated through broad organizational impact, technical publications, or external presentations.
  • Exceptional ability to influence technical and product direction, build durable relationships with key stakeholders, and negotiate trade-offs in timing, design, and specifications across organizational boundaries.
  • A strong record of mentoring and influencing senior engineers, improving knowledge-sharing systems, and raising technical judgment, code quality, and operational excellence across teams.
  • Demonstrated product sense and customer focus, including the ability to define meaningful success metrics, drive adoption, anticipate unmet needs, and apply emerging technologies to create durable customer value.

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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