Machine Learning Engineer PhD (Full Time) - United States

Cisco•Milpitas, CA

7d•$165,300 - $270,300

About The Position

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. 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!

Requirements

Recent graduate or in your final year of studies 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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Benefits

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.
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.