Senior Lead AI Researcher, AISWP

Cisco

. Lead development of purpose-built large language models for Cisco’s networking, security, data center, and observability infrastructure .

Posted 9/29/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $256,900 - $333,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in developing large language models and applying AI to complex networking, cybersecurity, and observability domains. Proven ability to lead pre-training initiatives and publish research in top-tier AI venues.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Large Language Model DevelopmentPre-Training Project LeadershipPyTorch or TensorFlow ExperienceDataset Curation and TokenizationNetworking and Cybersecurity Expertise

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Large Language Model DevelopmentPre-Training Project LeadershipDataset CurationTokenization StrategyTraining Pipeline ExecutionMachine Learning Model ApplicationResearch PublicationDistributed Computing ClustersAI Application in NetworkingAI Application in Cybersecurity

Soft Skills

CollaborationResearch CommunicationInnovative Problem Solving

Tools & Technologies

PyTorchTensorFlowDistributed Computing Environments

Industry Keywords

NetworkingCybersecurityObservabilityGenerative AIIndustrial Research Lab

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber SecurityPyTorchTensorflow

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead development of purpose-built large language models for Cisco’s networking, security, data center, and observability infrastructure
Drive advanced pre-training initiatives for foundational models across Cisco’s product portfolio
Conduct generative AI research to improve networking automation and human-computer interaction
Collaborate with engineers and strategists to integrate research breakthroughs into business solutions
Publish research in top-tier AI venues and contribute to the scientific community
Influence how Cisco secures and automates the global network
Build models tailored to Cisco’s scale and security requirements

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 12+ years of experience, or Master’s degree in STEM with 8+ years of experience, or PhD in STEM or a related technical field with 5+ years of relevant research experience
Experience leading or contributing to at least one full-cycle pre-training, distillation-based pre-training, or continual pre-training project for an LLM or foundational model
Experience with dataset curation, tokenization strategy, and training pipeline execution
Minimum of 3 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier AI venues such as ACL, EMNLP, ICLR, ICML, NAACL, or NeurIPS
3+ years of experience using PyTorch or TensorFlow to implement and train models on distributed computing clusters, including environments utilizing 100+ GPUs
2+ years of experience applying machine learning models to networking, data center, security, or observability datasets
Experience working in an industrial research lab environment
Subject matter expertise in networking, cybersecurity, or observability
Ability to apply AI to complex networking, cybersecurity, or observability domains
Ability to translate abstract research findings into innovative, scalable product features

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, subject to eligibility and continued employment
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 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’s policies