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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Software Engineer - **Company:** Cisco Systems, Inc. - **Location:** Seattle, WA, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $222,900.0 - $295,200.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Network Architecture, Release Management, Cloud-native Network Functions (CNF), Cisco - **Published:** July 11, 2026 - **Apply:** https://dejobs.org/x/x/9DB7D6F8F1934DBDA0C7BE2AE61A2BFC/job/ ## About the Role * Bachelors + 15 years of related experience, or Masters + 12 years of related experience or PhD + 8 years of related experience. * 3 + years of experience in design and deployment of 5G network * 3+ years of experience leading engineering initiatives from concept through delivery. Preferred Qualifications * Demonstrated experience managing and improving business-critical service operations, including revenue impacting Issues. * Experience mentoring or guiding senior engineers and technical leaders. * Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with a track record of partnering effectively across teams. ## Description Customer-facing Product Architect, you will serve as the technical and strategic lead for Cisco's multi-million-dollar Service Provider programs. You will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of 5G Standalone (SA) network solutions for Tier-1 North American Service Providers. This role requires a unique blend of architectural expertise, cross-functional leadership, and executive-level customer management to drive innovation, ensure operational excellence, and expand Cisco's footprint in the SP Mobility market. As a Principal Engineer, you will perform * Strategic Leadership & Business Growth: Drive the vision, strategy, and execution of packet core solutions, ensuring alignment with Cisco initiatives and evolving industry trends. Position Cisco products and technologies to meet customer objectives, strengthen long-term partnerships and expand market presence. Support pre-sales efforts by conducting Proofs of Concept (POCs) and technical demonstrations to identify and capture new business opportunities. Partner with Services Delivery and Sales teams to define new offerings, scope project work, and develop accurate Level of Effort (LOE) estimates. * 5G Architecture & Delivery Excellence: Lead the design and deployment of 5G SA network architectures, specifically focusing on Cloud-Native Network Functions (CNF). Define new feature requirements for packet core mobility solutions, managing the interlock between Customer Experience (CX) delivery teams and internal Engineering groups. Drive global delivery teams to implement innovative automation frameworks, significantly increasing deployment efficiency. Oversee the build, launch, and operation of Tier-1 service provider networks by managing a diverse team of delivery architects, technical leaders, software engineers, and network consultants. * Program & Release Management: Define and prioritize software releases and feature roadmaps in coordination with Product Management and Engineering to ensure timely support for critical customer programs. Establish robust program workflows and governance models to improve delivery efficiency and enhance the overall customer experience. Work with Project Managers to define timelines, allocate resources, and monitor key delivery achievements. Identify, assign, and review critical tasks for global teams to ensure execution excellence and strict alignment to project schedules. * Customer Engagement & Operational Support: Serve as the primary executive escalation point, managing conflicts, mitigating risks, and driving multi-functional resolution for business-critical issues. Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and executive-level program reviews with VPs and SVPs to report on progress, strategic initiatives, and business value. Facilitate customer workshops to drive product enablement, technology adoption, and long-term satisfaction. Collaborate with Engineering and R&R (Reliability & Resilience) teams to innovate operational processes, reduce OPEX, and perform root cause analysis on revenue-impacting issues. * Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead globally distributed, cross-functional teams across multiple regions, ensuring high-quality, consistent delivery. Mentor and train new talent, fostering professional development to strengthen the broader Engineering organization. Drive multi-functional initiatives to ensure alignment and consistent customer satisfaction across all North American Service Provider programs. ## Related Videos - [How Cisco embraced a DevOps culture within its network engineering team](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/99-how-cisco-embraced-a-devops-culture-within-its-network-engineering-team) - [AI-Augmented DevOps with Platform Engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1614-ai-augmented-devops-with-platform-engineering) - [How to govern Vibe Coding for the Enterprise](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100290-how-to-govern-vibe-coding-for-the-enterprise) - [Future-Proofing FinTech With Blockchain Technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/808-future-proofing-fintech-with-blockchain-technology) - [How to Survive The Worst Launch of Your Career with Brenda Romero](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/609-how-to-survive-the-worst-launch-of-your-career-with-brenda-romero) - [Computer Vision from the Edge to the Cloud done easy](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/263-computer-vision-from-the-edge-to-the-cloud-done-easy) ## Related Articles - [Software Engineer Career: Things You Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/143-software-engineer-career-things-you-should-know) - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [Top Characteristics of a Software Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/166-top-characteristics-of-a-software-engineer) - [How to Answer the Interview Question: “Why Do You Want to Be a Software Engineer?”](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/392-how-to-answer-the-interview-question-why-do-you-want-to-be-a-software-engineer) - [The Ultimate Software Engineer Career Path Guide for 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/146-the-ultimate-software-engineer-career-path-guide-for-2023)