Principal Machine Learning Engineer, AISWP

Cisco

. Deploy directly into high-impact customer environments to observe complex workflows and identify friction points .

Posted 10/8/2026full-timeSan Jose • California • United StatesLead💰 $296,300 - $374,800 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in building scalable, multi-tenant systems and external-facing developer platforms while applying a customer-first engineering mindset. Proficient in translating complex customer challenges into actionable software solutions and mentoring teams to drive technical decisions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Scalable Multi-Tenant SystemsEnd-To-End System DesignComplex Authorization ModelsSpec-Driven DevelopmentAI-First Mindset

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

System DesignScalable Software SolutionsPrototypingObservabilityFailure HandlingRBACABACSchema-Driven DevelopmentAPI ContractsImplementation Traceability

Soft Skills

MentoringCollaborationCustomer-First MindsetCoaching

Tools & Technologies

SaaS ArchitectureOn-Premise DeploymentDeveloper PlatformsInfrastructure Products

Industry Keywords

NetworkingSecurityProduct ManagementEnterprise Compliance Standards

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Deploy directly into high-impact customer environments to observe complex workflows and identify friction points
Build rapid prototypes to validate product-market fit
Lead research-to-code initiatives applying domain expertise in networking and security
Ensure prototypes are ready for production hardening
Partner with Product Management to use verified usage metrics and influence the product roadmap
Collaborate with core engineering to transition prototypes into secure, multi-tenant, scalable services
Provide technical consultation by translating customer challenges into scalable software solutions
Lead a customer-first engineering mindset within the AI Platform group
Coach teams on rapid iteration, minimizing silos, and maintaining high velocity while meeting enterprise compliance standards

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in STEM and 15+ years of relevant experience, or Master's degree in STEM and 12+ years of relevant experience, or PhD in STEM and 8+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent related work experience
Experience building and operating scalable, highly distributed multi-tenant systems with strict isolation and security boundaries
Experience building external-facing developer platforms or infrastructure-focused products
End-to-end system design experience, including observability, failure handling, and ergonomics
Experience implementing complex authorization models such as RBAC, ABAC, or policy-based enforcement
AI-first mindset and ability to decompose vague, complex problems into actionable deliverables
Experience building shared infrastructure, abstractions, and paved roads
Proficiency in spec-driven and schema-driven development, code generation, strongly typed API contracts, and implementation traceability
Understanding of SaaS and on-premise deployment architecture and operational constraints
Ability to mentor team members and drive technical decisions across cross-functional and cross-organizational boundaries

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 units may be available, vesting following continued employment
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
Paid birthday day off
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid personal wellness days
16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
Flexible vacation time off program with no defined limit for eligible 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 policies
Incentive compensation for sales-plan employees, subject to applicable Cisco plan
Additional benefits and perks available through the Cisco careers site