AI Security Engineer

The application window is expected to close on: 07/29/2026

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

Plans, conducts, analyzes, and shares research that advances the field of AI, as it relates to networking, security, programming, human-computer interaction, or other strategic areas in computer science. Utilizes expertise in AI and research methodologies to develop research plans, build models, run experiments, and provide models and solutions to relevant teams. Serves as research strategy liaison to engineers and product managers and works collaboratively with product management, engineering, and design teams to identify business and AI research goals. Summarizes and communicates results to all relevant partners and stakeholders to influence decisions.

What You’ll Do:

• Executes a range of research tasks or short-term research initiatives (e.g., six-month research plan) independently; supports medium to large projects or leads small projects

• Influences features or a product team

• Applies a solid understanding and practical knowledge of at least one AI research tool/method along with broader research methods and ethical considerations

• Strengthens understanding of research approach/topic and collaborates with senior colleagues to design AI research studies integrating understanding of ethical considerations

• Monitors and evaluates emerging AI technologies and techniques to address key business challenges

• Utilizes specialized tools and frameworks to build, train, debug, and test AI models

• Applies the right tools/techniques according to business needs with minimal guidance

• Understands technical constraints and limitations of existing tools and frameworks

• Participates in the identification and prioritization of research opportunities, and creates and executes research plans

• Identifies appropriate AI research techniques and directs the use of structured prediction (e.g., network topologies, computational biology, natural language)

• Designs experiments and/or prototypes with the team

• Conducts end-to-end experiments and iterates on results/analysis

• Synthesizes data and generates insight statements and design recommendations in share-outs or reports

• Uncovers basic themes and starts to create meta-analysis

• Drafts and structures comprehensible presentations

• Delivers and explains research findings, methods, and conclusions to team members and stakeholders

• Participates in cross-functional sessions with multiple stakeholders (e.g., design, product management, engineering)

• Coordinates and contributes to literature reviews, research science reports, academic papers, and analysis on topics and methodology

• Shares findings through write-ups or presentations

• Leverages familiarity with important sources of publication in the field to proactively share knowledge on own field of specialism

• Engages with either internal or external AI community through publications, talks, or discussions

• May mentor others in an informal capacity

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors + 5 years of related experience, or Masters + 3 years of related experience, or PhD + 0 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications

Varies based on the team and business needs | Preferred Qualifications are desired education, experience, and skills that are in addition to Minimum Qualifications.

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 $150,300.00 to $195,200.00 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:

$181,000.00 - $270,300.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$165,300.00 - $240,600.00

• 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.