Senior Software Program Manager

The application window is expected to close on: 06/30/2026

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

Location: San Jose, Hybrid

In office (3-4) days a week, Open to relocation

Travel: less then 10%

Meet the Team

Cisco Silicon One leads the ASIC design for next-generation network devices, shaping the future of networking in the AI/ML era with industry-leading silicon solutions. Our technology delivers high speed, programmability, power efficiency, and scalability, supporting Open Standards, Open Networking, and cloud data centers. As part of the S1 team, you’ll work alongside talented engineers and innovative customers to build world-class products. The team spearheads the development of SDK for multiple generations of Cisco ASIC families, enabling advanced networking capabilities across diverse platforms.

Your Impact

In this role, you will lead sophisticated, multi-functional programs that span silicon development, firmware, and system delivery — driving execution from initial concept through production. You’ll collaborate with diverse engineering teams, and operations, to deliver high-quality solutions while crafting processes and ensuring strategic alignment across the organization. Specific Responsibilities include:

• Driving end-to-end program execution for the Silicon One ASIC software ecosystem including the integration with Industry lead network operating systems

• Drive multi-functional alignment across engineering in a globally distributed environment.

• Own program schedules, milestones, dependencies, risk management, and executive communications.

• Partner closely with software engineering leaders to ensure tight hardware/software co-development and integration.

• Liaise with Cisco internal BUs and customers to collect requirements and manage prioritization across competing stakeholder interests.

• Serve as a key interface for partners-facing technical delivery.

• Driving complex programs spanning in large, multi-functional, globally distributed teams.

• Strong interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.

• Working without authority while maintaining accountability for outcomes.

• Operating effectively in environments with high ambiguity, rapid change, and daring timelines.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.

• 10+ years of experience in Engineering Program Management and/or Engineering Teams Management within the high-tech electronics industry

• Experience in systems software development, to include software lifecycle and delivery models.

• Experience leading sophisticated hardware and software programs for ASIC-based products in large-scale or cloud environments.

• Experience with influencing both technical leaders and executive stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science and/or Electrical Engineering or other technical field.

• Experience leading hardware, software, or system programs for hyperscalers, OEMs, or major network operators.

• Prior experience leading system software products, specifically defining and managing SDKs for high-performance ASICs.

• Good technical understanding of high-performance networking silicon (switch and router ASICs)

• Experience in customer-facing roles, delivering technically sophisticated solutions.

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 $191,400.00 to $281,400.00 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. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco’s policies:

• 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, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco

• Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees

• Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)

• 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

• Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

• .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

• 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

• 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and

• Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

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

New York City Metro Area:

$191,400.00 - $323,600.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$176,100.00 - $287,900.00

• For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.

Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.