> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2295363-sr-director-software-engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2295363-sr-director-software-engineering). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Sr. Director, Software Engineering - **Company:** Cisco Systems, Inc. - **Location:** New York, NY, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $293,900.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Engineering, Distributed Systems, Industry Standard Architecture, Systems Development Life Cycle, Software Engineering, System Availability, Technical Debt, Devsecops, Cisco - **Published:** August 29, 2026 - **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/main/sendform/8/8/28176/1/18116061?backUrl=%2Fcareer%2F18116061%2FSr-Director-Software-Engineering-California-San-Jose ## About the Role * Leadership Experience: 10+ years of experience in engineering management, with significant experience leading large, multi-functional teams at the Director level or above. * Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of modern SDLC, distributed systems, and cloud-native architecture. * Operational Rigor: Proven experience running complex, mission-critical environments with a focus on high availability and performance. * Service Organization Experience: Demonstrated success working within or partnering with service-oriented organizations to deliver value to internal or external stakeholders. * Strategic Innovation: Experience implementing AI or automation strategies that have tangibly improved developer velocity or operational cost-efficiency. * Communication: Outstanding ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and influence organizational change. Preferred Skills * Experience in high-scale enterprise environments. * Deep understanding of DevSecOps practices and regulatory compliance. * Track record of mentoring and developing engineering leadership talent. ## Description We are seeking a Senior Director of Software Engineering in our Cisco IQ Services engineering organization. This role is responsible for driving the technical strategy, operational excellence, and architectural integrity of our software services. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) and a proven track record of scaling teams while maintaining high security and quality standards. You will be instrumental in integrating AI-driven tools to enhance developer productivity and operational efficiency. Your Impact * Engineering Leadership: Provide visionary leadership to multiple development and architecture teams, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement. * Process Engineering & SDLC: Define and optimize end-to-end software development processes to ensure consistent delivery, scalability, and compliance with industry standards. * Security & Quality Rigor: Embed security and quality assurance into the core of the development lifecycle, ensuring all platforms are resilient, secure, and performant. * Platform Observability: Lead the design and implementation of comprehensive observability frameworks to proactively manage complex environments and minimize downtime. * AI-Driven Efficiency: Drive the adoption of AI-based tools and methodologies within development environments to accelerate release cycles, reduce technical debt, and optimize resource costs. * Multi-functional Collaboration: Partner with service organization leaders to align engineering outputs with business objectives, ensuring seamless service delivery and support. * Architecture Oversight: Lead all aspects of architectural strategy, ensuring that systems are modular, scalable, and aligned with long-term business goals. ## 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) - [Resolving technical debts in software architecture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1680-resolving-technical-debts-in-software-architecture) - [DevSecOps: Injecting Security into Mobile CI/CD Pipelines](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/273-devsecops-injecting-security-into-mobile-ci-cd-pipelines) - [From Code to Culture: Why Leadership Determines Software Quality](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1998-from-code-to-culture-why-leadership-determines-software-quality) - [AI Won't Fix Your Engineering Culture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100266-ai-won-t-fix-your-engineering-culture) - [Your Code as a Crime Scene](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1342-your-code-as-a-crime-scene) ## Related Articles - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [What is Software Engineering in the Age of AI?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/640-what-is-software-engineering-in-the-age-of-ai) - [The Best Software Developer Blogs to Read](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/156-the-best-software-developer-blogs-to-read) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production)