Technical Program Manager - Test Development & Eng Ops

Cisco • San Jose, CA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

Cisco’s Supply Chain Engineering Operations organization enables the successful delivery of Cisco’s hardware products at scale. Within this organization, the Central Test Development & Engineering Operations team provides shared product test and platform strategy, as well as operational leadership across multiple business units, test platforms, and manufacturing partners.
This team operates horizontally across Cisco’s hardware portfolio, ensuring consistent, scalable, and high‑quality test solutions (processes and tools) that support seamless new product introduction (NPI), factory ramp, and sustaining production. The team also partners with engineering, data, and automation groups to incorporate AI/ML‑driven insights and automation into test processes, analytics, and operational decision‑making.
Your Impact

As a Technical Program Manager (TPM) in Central Test Development & Engineering Operations, you will lead cross‑functional test initiatives and test strategy execution that span multiple functions, test platforms, and hardware programs. You will not be tied to a single product; instead, you will drive Test readiness, standardization, and operational excellence across Cisco’s supply chain test engineering ecosystem.
In addition, you will help shape and execute initiatives that leverage AI/ML technologies to improve test efficiency, predictive insights, automation, and overall engineering productivity. You will work with cross‑functional teams to identify practical use cases and ensure these capabilities are embedded into operational workflows at scale.
You will partner closely with BU Test Development Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, and other Business Unit teams to ensure test capabilities are delivered on time, at scale, and aligned with Cisco’s quality and industry standards.
As a technically grounded program manager the role thrives in complex, cross‑functional environments. Responsibilities include driving test strategy and operational initiatives that enable multiple teams to succeed and are comfortable balancing technical depth, execution rigor, and partner alignment. This position requires a forward‑looking mentality and comfortable working with AI/ML concepts, using data and intelligent automation to improve engineering operations and outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of experience in technical program or project management within hardware, test, or manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated experience leading cross‑functional test initiatives or test strategy efforts
• Working knowledge of AI/ML technologies and data‑driven techniques, with the ability to identify and drive practical applications within test processes, analytics, automation, or operational initiatives
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent programs with competing priorities
• Strong understanding of: Hardware development lifecycle and NPI processes Test development, validation, and manufacturing test concepts Supply chain and engineering operations fundamentals

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in centralized or shared services engineering organizations
• Background in manufacturing test, system test, or factory readiness
• Exposure to end‑to‑end test platform ecosystems
• Experience driving standardization, reuse, and process transformation across teams
• Experience partnering with data science, automation, or software teams to integrate AI/ML‑enabled solutions into engineering or operational workflows
• Strong data‑driven attitude, with experience building operational metrics and dashboards
• Excellent communication skills, including executive‑level status reporting

Responsibilities

• Program & Initiative Leadership
• Test Strategy & Readiness
• Central Test Programs & Initiatives
• Test Engineering Operations & Continuous Improvement
• Communication & Stakeholder Management

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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level