Technical Program Manager - Networking Engineering

Project overview

Job Summary

We are looking for a Project / Program Manager to join the Routing PMO. In this role, you will coordinate and drive cross-functional software and hardware engineering projects through the entire delivery lifecycle. You will work closely with Software/Hardware Engineering, QA, Product Management, Operations, and Release teams to ensure milestones are met on schedule, risks are identified early, and operational standards are maintained.

This is an ideal role for an organized, data-oriented project manager who thrives in technical environments, leverages modern AI tools and data dashboards for program tracking, and collaborates effectively across multi-disciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

Project Execution & Schedule Management

Communication & Stakeholder Collaboration

Operational Metrics, AI Dashboards & Continuous Improvement

Skill Requirements

Other Requirements

• Lifecycle Coordination: Coordinate project planning, execution, and delivery phases across cross-functional engineering teams.
• Milestone & Schedule Tracking: Maintain integrated schedules, track critical path deliverables, and monitor progress against committed release dates.
• Risk & Issue Tracking: Identify operational, resource, and technical roadblocks early; escalate blockers and drive mitigation steps with team leads.
• Cross-Functional Syncs: Facilitate regular syncs across Engineering, QA, Product Management, Release Management, and Operations to maintain alignment.
• Status Reporting & Communication: Prepare and distribute clear, consistent status reports, release summaries, and change controls for management and stakeholders.
• Change Management: Support the rollout and adoption of new PMO processes, workflow standards, and engineering tools.
• AI-Powered Dashboards & Automation: Design, build, and maintain modern AI-driven dashboards and automated reporting pipelines to track program health, predict schedule risks, and monitor milestone completion.
• Data & Metrics Reporting: Collect, track, and interpret operational data (velocity, bug trends, delivery cadence) to provide actionable business and engineering insights.
• Process Optimization: Assist in building and refining reusable PMO templates, automation scripts, and governance best practices.
• Governance & Standards: Ensure project deliverables align with internal Cisco execution guidelines, release governance, and quality standards.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Network Engineering, Information Systems, Data Analytics, or a related technical/business discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
• Experience:
• 4-6 years of overall professional experience in technology, software, or networking domains.
• 2-4 years of direct experience managing technical projects or program tracks.
• AI & Data Literacy: Foundational knowledge of AI/ML concepts, Generative AI tools, and predictive data tracking, with the ability to apply AI techniques to automate program operations and build intelligent dashboards.
• Methodologies: Practical working knowledge of Agile (Scrum/Kanban) and Waterfall lifecycle models.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to lead meetings and present data clearly.
• Organization & Analytical Skills: Proven ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, analyze complex project datasets, and resolve operational ambiguity.
• AI & Analytics Tooling: Hands-on experience developing AI dashboards or automated workflows using platforms such as Power BI / Tableau (with AI/Copilot insights), Jira Automation, Python, or LLM-based productivity tools.
• Domain Familiarity: Understanding of core networking concepts (Enterprise Routing, SD-WAN, Cloud Networking, or embedded software development).
• Tooling Expertise: Experience with Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, Git/GitHub, and advanced Excel.
• Certifications: CAPM, PMP, CSM, or relevant Agile/AI/Data analytics credentials.
• Mindset: Proactive, collaborative problem solver eager to continuously learn and innovate PMO workflows.

Project details

• Start: flexible
• Location: CA - California, US