Lead Software Engineer - SRE

Cisco

. Design, build, and optimize cloud and data infrastructure for high availability, reliability, and scalability .

Posted 10/27/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $177,600 - $257,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in designing and optimizing cloud and data infrastructure for high availability and scalability, while implementing SRE principles and leading technical strategy. Proficient in automation, mentoring engineers, and translating complex technical concepts for diverse stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Cloud Platform ExperienceInfrastructure as Code (IaC) Using Terraform or AnsibleProficiency in Python or GoTechnical Leadership and MentoringExperience with Observability and Monitoring Tools

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Cloud Infrastructure DesignSRE Principles ImplementationAutomation and OrchestrationRoot Cause AnalysisSoftware Development PrinciplesHigh Availability SolutionsArchitecting Software at ScaleLinux AdministrationDocker and KubernetesCI/CD Practices

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication SkillsStrong Collaboration SkillsOwnership SkillsAbility to Handle Competing PrioritiesPassion for Learning and Innovation

Tools & Technologies

AWSTerraformAnsibleDockerKubernetes/EKSCI/CD ToolsMonitoring ToolsNetworking ToolsSecurity ToolsData Platform Technologies

Certifications & Qualifications

CKACKADAWS Certified DevOps Engineer

Industry Keywords

Cloud SecurityData InfrastructureOperational EfficiencyPostmortem ReviewsTechnical Strategy

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AnsibleAWSCloudDockerKubernetesLinuxPythonTerraformGo

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, build, and optimize cloud and data infrastructure for high availability, reliability, and scalability
Implement SRE principles including monitoring, alerting, error budgets, and fault analysis
Collaborate with customers, development, product management, and security teams to create secure, scalable solutions
Improve operational efficiency through automation
Troubleshoot complex production issues and perform root cause analyses
Contribute to postmortem reviews and proactive performance optimization
Lead the architectural vision and shape the team’s technical strategy and roadmap
Balance immediate needs with long-term goals and drive innovation
Mentor and provide technical leadership to engineers
Engage with customers and stakeholders, translating use cases and feedback into actionable insights
Integrate software and systems engineering to build core data platform capabilities and automation
Develop strategic roadmaps, processes, plans, and infrastructure for enterprise-scale software deployment
Enforce engineering standards

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s +12 years of related experience, or Master’s +8 years of related experience or PhD +5 years of related experience
Experience designing and implementing scalable, reliable, and production-ready solutions
Experience with cloud platforms, preferably AWS, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform or Ansible
Experience with Linux, Docker, Kubernetes/EKS, networking, security, and CI/CD
Experience with observability and monitoring tools
Proficiency in Python, Go, or similar programming languages, with a strong understanding of software development principles
Experience building/managing a cloud-based data platform, automation and orchestration of infrastructure, and maintaining high availability and system reliability at scale
Experience architecting software and infrastructure at scale
Experience providing technical leadership and mentoring engineers
Experience with cloud and infrastructure security
CKA, CKAD, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, or equivalent certifications are preferred
Ability to handle multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Strong passion for learning, researching, and developing innovative technologies
Exceptional communication and presentation skills
Ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-experts
Strong collaboration and ownership skills

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
Cisco restricted stock unit grants may be available
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
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
16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
Flexible vacation time off program for exempt employees
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
Up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward
Additional paid time away for critical or emergency family issues
Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year
Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco’s policies
Performance-based incentive pay for sales-plan employees