Security Research Engineer

The application window is expected to close on: 06/07/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received .

Meet the Team

Cisco Talos is the elite threat intelligence group at Cisco, dedicated to protecting customers and users from malicious actors by detecting, analyzing, and responding to cyber threats in real time. Talos leverages the world's largest threat detection network and advanced research to deliver proactive security intelligence and incident response services that safeguard networks globally.

Your Impact

You'll join Cisco Talos, working as a Security Research Engineer focused on improving the threat detection and analysis capabilities of Cisco's comprehensive security portfolio. You'll focus on network security and behavior-based threat detection (such as malware infections and lateral movement). You'll drive innovative approaches -- using the latest AI/ML techniques and a data-driven development approach -- to build best-in-class security solutions. Reporting to the Chief Scientist, Security, you will work together with world-class engineering, threat research, and product partners.

• Lead by example! As a technical expert, design and build cutting-edge systems that detect and analyze network security threats
• Use your deep understanding of the threat landscape to propose innovative solutions to counter threats targeting Cisco's customers
• Leverage modern AI/ML techniques to improve the accuracy of threat detection solutions and automate/accelerate manual analysis processes
• Use data driven techniques to understand the limitations of current security techniques and gather insights that drive the development of novel techniques
• Design and contribute to the implementation of critical threat detection and analysis code
• Work collaboratively with a globally distributed team of versatile peers

Minimum Qualifications

• 4+ years experience in the field of computer security, in academia (PhD graduate research) or industry
• Published academic papers or delivered presentations at leading industry events (e.g. Blackhat and RSA Conference) that contribute to the advancement of computer security tools, concepts, techniques, technologies, or methodologies.
• Experience with machine learning (ML) tools and libraries (such as PyTorch or TensorFlow)
• Programming experience with Python and C/C++

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with modern application development methodologies (such as CI/CD, git, Docker)
• Experience with network traffic analysis, malware analysis, and/or reverse engineering

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 $152,500.00 to $219,200.00 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:
$152,500.00 - $252,000.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$135,800.00 - $224,400.00

* 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.