Senior Hardware Engineering Program Manager

The application window is expected to close on: 10/16/2026 This is an onsite position at the San Jose, CA location. Meet the team Our Systems and Optics Hardware PMO team serves as the engine for Cisco’s hardware portfolio, redefining complex strategies into predictable, high-quality delivery through multi-functional governance and operational excellence. As a Hardware Engineering Program Manager, you will act as the primary orchestrator for next-generation platforms, driving the end-to-end product lifecycle while ensuring financial rigor and seamless alignment across our engineering and business partners.

Lead program management of large-scale, high-risk hardware products for Cisco with multiple interdependencies across functions, ensuring successful end-to-end delivery from concept to customer release. Orchestrate multi-functional activities by aligning hardware and software engineering, product management, service, customer documentation and operations teams to ensure cohesive, high-quality execution. Drive complex problem-solving by interpreting current business trends to identify and implement innovative, strategic solutions for program delivery. Monitor program health, lead critical path roadmaps, risk mitigation and necessary course corrections. Lead all aspects of budget preparations, resource allocation, and financial rigor to ensure effective utilization and alignment to business plans Influence and persuade partners at all levels, providing executive-level status updates and strategic recommendations for maintaining relationships. Provide technical expertise and mentorship to engineering project management staff, fostering process improvements and the implementation of continuous integration methodologies.

Bachelor’s degree in engineering with 8+ years of experience or a master’s degree in engineering with 6+ years of experience in technical program management, or PhD with 3+ years of experience. Demonstrated experience leading end-to-end, complex hardware programs consisting of multiple PCBAs with moderate to high risk and multi-functional interdependencies. Experience in defining and delivering program plans, schedules, and budgets, including monitoring critical path activities and resource allocation. Experience in project management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, MS Project) to track program metrics.

Experience using AI tools, e.g. ChatGPT, Codex, Claude to improve the program management process. Expertise in Design Verification Testing (DVT) processes within complex hardware development lifecycles. Extensive knowledge of hardware manufacturing environments, production workflows, and supply chain operations. Strategic background in supply chain operations or procurement for large-scale hardware programs. Proven ability to communicate difficult concepts and influence outcomes across internal and external partner groups. Demonstrated expertise with leading multi-functional dependencies in fast-paced engineering environments Familiarity with demonstrating advanced analytical tools and AI-enabled methodologies to optimize program management efficiency. 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