Senior Director, Hyperscaler Systems Architecture

About the role

Meet The Team We are a dynamic and driven team dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower hyperscalers to deploy massive networks fueling AI clusters, general-purpose computing, Data Center Interconnect (DCI), and Edge. Our mission is to provide seamless integration of silicon, hardware, and software, ensuring hyperscalers are successful and deliver outstanding business outcomes for Cisco. Every day, we collaborate with customers to define impactful requirements, drive engineering efforts from concept to execution, and handle escalations. Join us in shaping the future of networking at a scale that transforms industries!

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate and influence the technology strategy for Silicon, Optics, and Interconnects technologies with focus on the Hyperscaler segment
• Shape the systems roadmap for scale-out, scale-up, and scale-across systems
• Drive hands-on simulations for functional and performance analysis using modern industry tooling
• Engage with Hyperscaler customers on technology, roadmap positioning, and value propositions
• Participate in industry events to drive product messaging and strategy
• Drive alignment across various internal stakeholders including Silicon, HW, Optics, and software teams to ensure business success
• Mentor and coach the product management, technical marketing, and engineering communities to strengthen technical expertise

Desired Qualities

• Webscale Experience: Previous experience working with or for Webscale companies in architecture, engineering, or validation
• Technical Expertise: Advanced knowledge in areas as high-speed optics, coherent pluggables, silicon-design principles, liquid cooling, high-speed SerDes, interconnects, and system design
• Architectural Fluency: A solid background in network system design and the trade-offs involved in defining new products
• High-Stakes Performance: Ability to lead and perform under pressure in front of customers and internal R&D teams
• Influence: A strong track record of growing and influencing others across all levels of senior leadership

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent work experience (preferably in networking hardware)
• Experience: 10+ years in engineering, solutions architecture, or product management (preferably in networking silicon)
• Domain Knowledge: Demonstrable experience in Service Provider Networking, Data Center Networking, or directly with Hyperscalers

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada

The starting salary range posted for this position is $280,100.00 to $384,800.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
• Paid parental leave
• Short and long-term disability coverage
• Basic life insurance
• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
• 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
• paid year-end holiday shutdown
• 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
• 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
• Flexible vacation time off program for exempt employees, with no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)
• Up to 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
• Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco’s policies
• Performance-based incentive pay for quota-based sales roles, subject to Cisco’s policies

Compensation

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

• New York City Metro Area: $280,100.00 - $442,600.00
• Non-Metro New York State & Washington State: $267,600.00 - $390,300.00