Machine Learning Engineer PhD (Full Time) - United States Job at Cisco Systems i
Cisco Systems, San Jose, CA, United States
Please note this posting is to advertise potential job opportunities. This exact role may not be open today but could open in the near future. When you apply, a Cisco representative may contact you directly if a relevant position opens.
Applications are accepted until further notice.
Meet the Team
Join our innovative engineering team focused on building next-generation AI/ML solutions. You’ll collaborate with skilled colleagues across platform, security, release engineering, and support teams to deliver high-impact products and ensure their perfect operation.
Your Impact
Dive into the development and implementation of cutting‑edge generative AI applications using the latest large language models—think GPT‑4, Claude, Llama, and beyond! Take on the challenge of optimizing neural networks for natural language processing and machine perception, drawing on a toolkit that includes convolutional and transformer‑based models, student‑teacher frameworks, distillation, and generative adversarial networks (GANs). Performance, scalability, and reliability are front and center as models are trained, fine‑tuned, and put through their paces for real‑world deployment.
Collaboration is at the heart of this role—work alongside talented engineers and cross‑functional teams to gather and prep data, design custom layers, and automate model deployment. Experimentation with new technologies and ongoing learning are always encouraged. Production‑ready code, robust testing, and creative problem‑solving all play a part in bringing innovative AI solutions to life. What an exciting place to grow and make an impact!
Minimum Qualifications
Recent graduate or in your final year of toward a PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field.
3+ years of experience in backend development using Go or Python.
Understanding of LLM infrastructure and optimization, validated by technical interview responses, project documentation, or relevant publications.
Hands‑on experience with model building and AI/LLM research, demonstrated through portfolio work, code samples, technical assessments, or documented academic or professional projects.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with inference engines (e.g., vLLM, Triton, TorchServe).
Knowledge of GPU architecture and optimization.
Familiarity with agent frameworks.
Exposure to cloud native solutions and platforms.
Experience with cybersecurity principles and Python programming, including common AI libraries.
Familiarity with distributed systems and asynchronous programming models.
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:
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:
$181,000.00 - $270,300.00
Non‑Metro New York state & Washington state:
$165,300.00 - $240,600.00
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.
Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.
Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
In Summary: Join our engineering team focused on building next-generation AI/ML solutions . Dive into the development and implementation of cutting‑edge generative AI applications using the latest large language models . Collaboration is at the heart of this role—work alongside talented engineers and cross‑functional teams to gather and prep data .
En Español: Tenga en cuenta que esta publicación es para anunciar oportunidades de empleo potenciales. Este papel exacto puede no estar abierto hoy, pero podría abrirse en un futuro próximo. Cuando usted solicite, un representante de Cisco podrá ponerse directamente en contacto con usted si se abre una posición relevante. Las aplicaciones son aceptadas hasta nuevo aviso. Únete al Equipo Únase a nuestro equipo innovador de ingeniería enfocado en la construcción de soluciones AI/ML de próxima generación. Usted colaborará con colegas cualificados en toda plataforma, seguridad, ingeniería de lanzamiento y equipos de soporte para entregar productos de alto impacto y garantizar su funcionamiento perfecto. Su Impacto Dive en el desarrollo e implementación de las más avanzadas aplicaciones de IA generadoras utilizando los últimos modelos de lenguaje grandepensen GPT4, Claude, Llama y más allá! Asumir el desafío de optimizar redes neuronales para procesamiento del lenguaje natural y percepción automática, recurriendo a un kit de herramientas que incluye diseño creativo continuo y modelo de rendimiento de estudiantes, estructuras de preparación basado en datos, distillación y desfondabilidad, así como nuevas tecnologías de aprendizaje y capacitación, junto con sus equipos de trabajo, está diseñando y desplegando nuevos sistemas de conocimientos personalizados. El código listo para la producción, las pruebas robustas y la resolución de problemas creativos desempeñan un papel en dar vida a soluciones innovadoras de IA. ¡Qué lugar emocionante para crecer e impactar! Calificaciones mínimas Graduado reciente o en su último año de obtener un doctorado en Ciencias de la Computación, Ingeniería eléctrica, Inteligencia Artificial, Aprendizaje Automático u otro campo relacionado. 3+ años de experiencia en desarrollo backend utilizando Go o Python. Comprensión de infraestructura y optimización del LLM, validada por respuestas técnicas de entrevistas, documentación de proyectos o publicaciones relevantes. Experiencia práctica con la construcción de modelos Cisco y investigación AI/LLM, demostrada mediante trabajo de cartera, muestras de códigos, evaluaciones técnicas o proyectos académicos documentados. Estas soluciones proporcionan a los clientes una seguridad, visibilidad e información incomparables en toda la huella digital. Alimentados por la profundidad y amplitud de nuestra tecnología, experimentamos y creamos soluciones significativas. Agregue a eso nuestra red mundial de profesionales y expertos, y verá que las oportunidades para crecer y construir son ilimitadas. Trabajamos como equipo, colaborando con empatía para lograr cosas realmente grandes a escala global. Debido a que nuestras soluciones están en todas partes, nuestro impacto está en todo lugar. Somos Cisco, y nuestro poder comienza con usted. Mensaje a los solicitantes que solicitan trabajar en Estados Unidos y/o Canadá: El salario individual se determina por la ubicación del candidato en el empleo, condiciones de mercado, experiencia laboral, cualificaciones, educación, certificados y / o capacitación. La gama completa de beneficios salariales ofrecidos durante ciertas ubicaciones dentarias es corta. Para los lugares no contratados, nuestros detalles básicos incluyen un plan de seguro de vida, cuya cobertura médica se puede incluir más abajo, consulte el sitio web de seguros de incapacidad de los empleados de Cisco, etc. Los empleados estadounidenses pueden ser elegibles para recibir subvenciones de unidades de acciones restringidas de Cisco, que se otorgan después de la continuación del empleo con Cisco durante períodos definidos. Los trabajadores estadounidenses tienen derecho a vacaciones remuneradas según lo descrito más adelante, sujeto a las políticas de Cisco: 10 días libres pagados por año calendario completo, además de 1 día libre flotante para los empleados no exentos; un día libre pagado por cumpleaños del empleado; el cierre de unas vacaciones de fin de año y 4 días libres de pago para bienestar personal determinados por Cisco. Para el pago de incentivos basado en cuotas, Cisco suele pagar lo siguiente: .75% del objetivo de incentivo para cada 1% de los ingresos obtenidos hasta un 50% de la cuota; 1.5% de la meta de incentivación para cada1% de las ganancias alcanzadas entre un 50% y un 75%; 1% de la Meta de Incentive para cada% 1 de los logros alcanzados entre un 75% y un 100%; y Una vez que el rendimiento supere el 100% de los resultados, las tasas de incentivas se encuentran al igual o superior al 1% de cada 1% del logro sin límite máximo de compensación. Para elementos de desempeño de ventas basados en no-cuotas como objetivos estratégicos de venta, Cisco puede pagar 0% a 125% del objetivo. Cisco considerará para el empleo, caso por caso, a los solicitantes calificados con antecedentes de detención y condena. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Applications are accepted until further notice.
Meet the Team
Join our innovative engineering team focused on building next-generation AI/ML solutions. You’ll collaborate with skilled colleagues across platform, security, release engineering, and support teams to deliver high-impact products and ensure their perfect operation.
Your Impact
Dive into the development and implementation of cutting‑edge generative AI applications using the latest large language models—think GPT‑4, Claude, Llama, and beyond! Take on the challenge of optimizing neural networks for natural language processing and machine perception, drawing on a toolkit that includes convolutional and transformer‑based models, student‑teacher frameworks, distillation, and generative adversarial networks (GANs). Performance, scalability, and reliability are front and center as models are trained, fine‑tuned, and put through their paces for real‑world deployment.
Collaboration is at the heart of this role—work alongside talented engineers and cross‑functional teams to gather and prep data, design custom layers, and automate model deployment. Experimentation with new technologies and ongoing learning are always encouraged. Production‑ready code, robust testing, and creative problem‑solving all play a part in bringing innovative AI solutions to life. What an exciting place to grow and make an impact!
Minimum Qualifications
Recent graduate or in your final year of toward a PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field.
3+ years of experience in backend development using Go or Python.
Understanding of LLM infrastructure and optimization, validated by technical interview responses, project documentation, or relevant publications.
Hands‑on experience with model building and AI/LLM research, demonstrated through portfolio work, code samples, technical assessments, or documented academic or professional projects.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with inference engines (e.g., vLLM, Triton, TorchServe).
Knowledge of GPU architecture and optimization.
Familiarity with agent frameworks.
Exposure to cloud native solutions and platforms.
Experience with cybersecurity principles and Python programming, including common AI libraries.
Familiarity with distributed systems and asynchronous programming models.
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:
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:
$181,000.00 - $270,300.00
Non‑Metro New York state & Washington state:
$165,300.00 - $240,600.00
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.
Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.
Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
In Summary: Join our engineering team focused on building next-generation AI/ML solutions . Dive into the development and implementation of cutting‑edge generative AI applications using the latest large language models . Collaboration is at the heart of this role—work alongside talented engineers and cross‑functional teams to gather and prep data .
En Español: Tenga en cuenta que esta publicación es para anunciar oportunidades de empleo potenciales. Este papel exacto puede no estar abierto hoy, pero podría abrirse en un futuro próximo. Cuando usted solicite, un representante de Cisco podrá ponerse directamente en contacto con usted si se abre una posición relevante. Las aplicaciones son aceptadas hasta nuevo aviso. Únete al Equipo Únase a nuestro equipo innovador de ingeniería enfocado en la construcción de soluciones AI/ML de próxima generación. Usted colaborará con colegas cualificados en toda plataforma, seguridad, ingeniería de lanzamiento y equipos de soporte para entregar productos de alto impacto y garantizar su funcionamiento perfecto. Su Impacto Dive en el desarrollo e implementación de las más avanzadas aplicaciones de IA generadoras utilizando los últimos modelos de lenguaje grandepensen GPT4, Claude, Llama y más allá! Asumir el desafío de optimizar redes neuronales para procesamiento del lenguaje natural y percepción automática, recurriendo a un kit de herramientas que incluye diseño creativo continuo y modelo de rendimiento de estudiantes, estructuras de preparación basado en datos, distillación y desfondabilidad, así como nuevas tecnologías de aprendizaje y capacitación, junto con sus equipos de trabajo, está diseñando y desplegando nuevos sistemas de conocimientos personalizados. El código listo para la producción, las pruebas robustas y la resolución de problemas creativos desempeñan un papel en dar vida a soluciones innovadoras de IA. ¡Qué lugar emocionante para crecer e impactar! Calificaciones mínimas Graduado reciente o en su último año de obtener un doctorado en Ciencias de la Computación, Ingeniería eléctrica, Inteligencia Artificial, Aprendizaje Automático u otro campo relacionado. 3+ años de experiencia en desarrollo backend utilizando Go o Python. Comprensión de infraestructura y optimización del LLM, validada por respuestas técnicas de entrevistas, documentación de proyectos o publicaciones relevantes. Experiencia práctica con la construcción de modelos Cisco y investigación AI/LLM, demostrada mediante trabajo de cartera, muestras de códigos, evaluaciones técnicas o proyectos académicos documentados. Estas soluciones proporcionan a los clientes una seguridad, visibilidad e información incomparables en toda la huella digital. Alimentados por la profundidad y amplitud de nuestra tecnología, experimentamos y creamos soluciones significativas. Agregue a eso nuestra red mundial de profesionales y expertos, y verá que las oportunidades para crecer y construir son ilimitadas. Trabajamos como equipo, colaborando con empatía para lograr cosas realmente grandes a escala global. Debido a que nuestras soluciones están en todas partes, nuestro impacto está en todo lugar. Somos Cisco, y nuestro poder comienza con usted. Mensaje a los solicitantes que solicitan trabajar en Estados Unidos y/o Canadá: El salario individual se determina por la ubicación del candidato en el empleo, condiciones de mercado, experiencia laboral, cualificaciones, educación, certificados y / o capacitación. La gama completa de beneficios salariales ofrecidos durante ciertas ubicaciones dentarias es corta. Para los lugares no contratados, nuestros detalles básicos incluyen un plan de seguro de vida, cuya cobertura médica se puede incluir más abajo, consulte el sitio web de seguros de incapacidad de los empleados de Cisco, etc. Los empleados estadounidenses pueden ser elegibles para recibir subvenciones de unidades de acciones restringidas de Cisco, que se otorgan después de la continuación del empleo con Cisco durante períodos definidos. Los trabajadores estadounidenses tienen derecho a vacaciones remuneradas según lo descrito más adelante, sujeto a las políticas de Cisco: 10 días libres pagados por año calendario completo, además de 1 día libre flotante para los empleados no exentos; un día libre pagado por cumpleaños del empleado; el cierre de unas vacaciones de fin de año y 4 días libres de pago para bienestar personal determinados por Cisco. Para el pago de incentivos basado en cuotas, Cisco suele pagar lo siguiente: .75% del objetivo de incentivo para cada 1% de los ingresos obtenidos hasta un 50% de la cuota; 1.5% de la meta de incentivación para cada1% de las ganancias alcanzadas entre un 50% y un 75%; 1% de la Meta de Incentive para cada% 1 de los logros alcanzados entre un 75% y un 100%; y Una vez que el rendimiento supere el 100% de los resultados, las tasas de incentivas se encuentran al igual o superior al 1% de cada 1% del logro sin límite máximo de compensación. Para elementos de desempeño de ventas basados en no-cuotas como objetivos estratégicos de venta, Cisco puede pagar 0% a 125% del objetivo. Cisco considerará para el empleo, caso por caso, a los solicitantes calificados con antecedentes de detención y condena. #J-18808-Ljbffr