Cisco

Sr. Director, Software Engineering

Cisco$293K — $406K *
Enterprise Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in engineering management, leading large teams at the Director level or above.
  • Deep knowledge of modern SDLC, distributed systems, and cloud-native architecture.
  • Experience managing complex, mission-critical environments focusing on high availability.
  • Experience in service-oriented organizations, delivering value to stakeholders.
  • Proven success implementing AI or automation strategies that improved developer velocity.

Responsibilities

  • Provide visionary leadership to development and architecture teams to drive performance and improvement.
  • Define and optimize software development processes for consistent delivery and scalability.
  • Embed security and quality assurance into the development lifecycle for resilient systems.
  • Lead design and implementation of observability frameworks to minimize downtime.
  • Drive AI-based methodologies to accelerate release cycles and optimize costs.
  • Collaborate with service leaders to align engineering outputs with business objectives.
  • Oversee architectural strategy to ensure systems are modular and scalable.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on advanced AI-driven tools and methodologies.
  • Collaboration with industry leaders in a high-performance environment.
  • Access to continuous improvement and professional development resources.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 09/03/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

Cisco IQ is a unified, AI-powered business transformation platform designed to enhance Cisco Support and Professional Services by leveraging over 40 years of Cisco expertise combined with agentic AI. It serves as a central interface that provides complete landscape clarity, proactive resilience, rapid resolution, and contextualized professional services across the entire customer journey.

We are seeking a Senior Director of Software Engineering in our Cisco IQ Services engineering organization. This role is responsible for driving the technical strategy, operational excellence, and architectural integrity of our software services. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) and a proven track record of scaling teams while maintaining high security and quality standards. You will be instrumental in integrating AI-driven tools to enhance developer productivity and operational efficiency.

Your Impact
  • Engineering Leadership: Provide visionary leadership to multiple development and architecture teams, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Process Engineering & SDLC: Define and optimize end-to-end software development processes to ensure consistent delivery, scalability, and compliance with industry standards.
  • Security & Quality Rigor: Embed security and quality assurance into the core of the development lifecycle, ensuring all platforms are resilient, secure, and performant.
  • Platform Observability: Lead the design and implementation of comprehensive observability frameworks to proactively manage complex environments and minimize downtime.
  • AI-Driven Efficiency: Drive the adoption of AI-based tools and methodologies within development environments to accelerate release cycles, reduce technical debt, and optimize resource costs.
  • Multi-functional Collaboration: Partner with service organization leaders to align engineering outputs with business objectives, ensuring seamless service delivery and support.
  • Architecture Oversight: Lead all aspects of architectural strategy, ensuring that systems are modular, scalable, and aligned with long-term business goals.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Leadership Experience: 10+ years of experience in engineering management, with significant experience leading large, multi-functional teams at the Director level or above.
  • Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of modern SDLC, distributed systems, and cloud-native architecture.
  • Operational Rigor: Proven experience running complex, mission-critical environments with a focus on high availability and performance.
  • Service Organization Experience: Demonstrated success working within or partnering with service-oriented organizations to deliver value to internal or external stakeholders.
  • Strategic Innovation: Experience implementing AI or automation strategies that have tangibly improved developer velocity or operational cost-efficiency.
  • Communication: Outstanding ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and influence organizational change.


Preferred Skills
  • Experience in high-scale enterprise environments.
  • Deep understanding of DevSecOps practices and regulatory compliance.
  • Track record of mentoring and developing engineering leadership talent.

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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