The application window is expected to close on: September 15, 2025.
NOTE: Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Meet the Team
Join Cisco's Hypershield team - a fast-paced innovation group building the industry's first AI-native, secure data center fabric. Our team owns quality engineering for the control and data plane components of the Nexus and IOS based switches. We operate in a lean, high-impact environment that blends deep networking knowledge with modern agile and AI-driven test practices.
Your Impact
As a QA Technical Leader, you'll drive the functional test planning for our flagship security product within Cisco's next-gen line of switches and routers. You'll set direction for quality engineering across data and control planes, design scalable test frameworks, and work actively to ensure rigorous automation and release efficiency. This role is ideal for diligent engineers with strong networking fundamentals and hands-on experience testing hardware and CLI-based systems.
Design, review, and implement detailed test topologies and test cases for networking products
Lead functional testing efforts for core functionality (network-centric) components, working closely with development and automation teams
Participate in architectural and test strategy discussions to identify quality gaps
Perform CLI-based testing in simulation or lab environments
Contribute to light automation where necessary (Python-based frameworks like PyTest)
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
8+ years of experience in functional QA for networking or cloud security products
Experience testing CLI-based systems on Cisco or similar devices
Prior experience in L2 - L4 networking technologies
Experienced in Python and familiar with QA automation tools such as PyTest
Preferred Qualifications
Experience testing network security products end-to-end
Experienced in writing detailed test plans and test cases, including scale or performance validation
Prior experience with L2-L4 networking technologies. e.g. VXLAN, VRF, HA, IPv6, UDP, BGP, etc.
Strong experience in Linux-based environments & cloud infrastructure (e.g. AWS)
Familiarity with configuring and managing Cisco or similar networking hardware in lab environments
Ability to navigate Agile development environments and collaborate with cross-functional teams
Strong communication skills and comfort participating in architecture/design reviews
Comfortable working independently in global lab services environments (e.g., switch configuration, IP provisioning)
Ability to work across CLI-based systems and troubleshoot in lab-based test environments
Proficiency using AI tools for code generation or automation (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cisco Windsurf)
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. Simply put - we power the future.
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:
When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.
U.S. employees have to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.
Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco's flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco's Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter. Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.
Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. 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 up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.
