Solutions Engineer - Technical Program Manager
Cisco · San Francisco, CA
- On site
- Full-time
- $170,300 / year
- San Francisco, CA
Job highlights
- Manage technical programs with hyperscaler accounts.
- Liaise between engineering and customer teams.
- Drive feature lifecycle from concept to production.
- Report complex technical details to executives.
- Influence teams without direct authority.
About the role
About The Role
We are seeking a highly organized and results-oriented Technical Program Manager (TPM) to join our strategic sales partnerships team. In this critical role, you will be instrumental in driving the success of Cisco's engagement with top-tier hyperscaler accounts. You will act as a key liaison between our Engineering and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) teams and the technical program management leads at our most strategic customers. Your primary focus will be to manage the end-to-end lifecycle of key features and programs, from initial concept through development and production, ensuring a seamless handoff to our Customer Experience (CX) teams.
This role requires an exceptional ability to manage multiple complex projects concurrently, bring order to ambiguous or chaotic environments, and translate intricate technical discussions into clear, concise executive-level reports. You will be expected to drive results and influence stakeholders across various organizations, even without direct reporting lines.
Key Responsibilities
- Program Lifecycle Management: Own and manage the execution of technical programs and feature development initiatives from ideation to production, ensuring alignment with strategic customer roadmaps and Cisco's product strategy.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Engineering, PLM, and Sales teams to define, prioritize, and track feature requirements, ensuring technical solutions meet market and customer needs.
- Customer Engagement: Build and maintain strong working relationships with Technical Program Management leads at strategic hyperscaler accounts, understanding their technical challenges and roadmaps.
- Strategic Alignment: Ensure that program deliverables and timelines are aligned with the strategic goals of both Cisco and our hyperscaler partners, directly supporting sales objectives and account growth.
- Executive Reporting & Communication: Translate complex technical information and program status into high-level, actionable reports and presentations for senior management and key stakeholders.
- Organizational Leadership: Bring structure, process, and clarity to complex, multi-project environments, proactively identifying and mitigating risks.
- Influencing Without Authority: Effectively drive progress and achieve objectives by influencing cross-functional teams and external partners, leveraging strong communication and negotiation skills.
- Handoff to CX: Ensure a smooth and well-documented transition of programs and features to Customer Experience (CX) teams post-production.
Qualifications
- Proven experience in technical program management, product management, or a related field, with a strong understanding of software development lifecycles.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, concurrent projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Exceptional organizational skills and a track record of bringing structure and clarity to complex initiatives.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior executives.
- Experience working with or understanding of major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their ecosystems is highly desirable.
- Experience working with large, strategic enterprise accounts or hyperscalers is a significant plus.
- Proven ability to influence and drive results from cross-functional teams and external partners without direct authority.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a technical program management role
- Understanding of the sales cycle and customer engagement.
- Familiarity with program management tools and methodologies.
- Experience managing programs related to cloud infrastructure, networking, or enterprise software solutions.
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.
Key skills/competency
- Technical Program Management
- Solutions Engineering
- Product Lifecycle Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Customer Engagement
- Executive Reporting
- Risk Mitigation
- Cloud Providers (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Enterprise Accounts
- Influencing Without Authority
Skills & topics
- Solutions Engineer
- Technical Program Manager
- Cisco
- TPM
- Program Management
- Software Development Lifecycle
- Cloud
- Hyperscaler
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Customer Engagement
- Engineering
- Product Management
- Sales Partnerships
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in technical program management, software lifecycles, and working with cloud providers.
- Showcase cross-functional skills: Emphasize your ability to collaborate, communicate complex technical information, and influence without authority.
- Research Cisco's culture: Understand their focus on innovation, collaboration, and AI-driven solutions.
- Prepare for technical and behavioral questions: Be ready to discuss managing complex projects and your experience with strategic accounts.
- Highlight cloud and hyperscaler experience: Detail any work with AWS, Azure, GCP, or large enterprise clients.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the application deadline for the Solutions Engineer - Technical Program Manager role at Cisco?
- The application window for the Solutions Engineer - Technical Program Manager role at Cisco is expected to close on 06/30/2026. However, please note that the posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.
- What is the primary focus of the Solutions Engineer - Technical Program Manager at Cisco?
- The primary focus of this role is to manage the end-to-end lifecycle of key features and programs for Cisco's strategic hyperscaler accounts, from concept through development and production, ensuring a seamless handoff to Customer Experience (CX) teams.
- What are the key qualifications for the Solutions Engineer - Technical Program Manager position at Cisco?
- Key qualifications include proven experience in technical program management, strong organizational and communication skills, ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, experience with cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP), and the ability to influence without direct authority. A Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience is also required.
- Is experience with cloud providers like AWS, Azure, or GCP required for this role at Cisco?
- Experience working with or understanding of major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their ecosystems is highly desirable for the Solutions Engineer - Technical Program Manager role at Cisco.
- Does Cisco offer remote work options for the Solutions Engineer - Technical Program Manager position?
- The job posting states that candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the specified location, suggesting this is not a remote position. It's recommended to confirm the specific work arrangement with the hiring manager.
- What is the salary range for the Solutions Engineer - Technical Program Manager at Cisco in the U.S.?
- The starting salary range for this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations is $170,300.00 to $215,000.00, not including incentive compensation, equity, or benefits. Specific ranges may vary by location, with the New York City Metro Area listed as $170,300.00 - $247,200.00.
- What kind of benefits does Cisco offer to its employees in the U.S.?
- Cisco offers a comprehensive benefits package in the U.S., including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with matching contributions, paid parental leave, disability coverage, life insurance, and paid time off which includes holidays, personal wellness days, and flexible vacation time for exempt employees.
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