Hardware Engineering Program Manager
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Who You'll Work With
At Cisco's Security Business Group (SBG), we develop cutting-edge firewall, intrusion prevention, remote access, identity, web, and email security products. Our Program Managers collaborate with multiple teams to deliver enterprise software, as well as virtual and physical platforms. We are at the forefront of next-generation security technology, striving to make cyberspace safer for everyone.
Our PMO and Program Managers are the driving force behind programs that deliver innovative, top-tier security products and solutions to our customers. We execute strategic initiatives that propel our business forward, acting as the glue that holds our cross-functional program teams together. We turn change into reality and mentor the broader organization on agile program management fundamentals and best practices.
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What You'll Do
As an experienced Program Manager, you will lead strategic initiatives and complex hardware product solutions through the entire program lifecycle, aligning with our portfolio strategy.
In your role within Cisco's SBG PMO, you'll leverage your strong relationship skills to influence a diverse set of stakeholders and drive sound decision-making. You will work with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, support, and operations, in an agile environment to define, build, and launch hardware products and solutions. Additionally, you will generate and assess performance metrics on business outcomes to inform strategic decision-making.
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Key Responsibilities
· Lead product teams through all stages of hardware product development, from concept to first customer shipment and general availability.
· Own the product development schedule, deliverables, budget, and overarching issue resolution and risk mitigation.
· Collaborate with key stakeholders to secure the necessary resources and conduct required reviews.
· Guide the product team in a matrix management structure, tracking schedules, risks, inter-dependencies, and key milestone deliverables.
· Engage with all levels within the Business Unit to influence and collaborate with Product Marketing, Engineering, Documentation, Training, Customer Experience, and Manufacturing teams for successful product delivery.
· Ensure effective processes are in place to achieve program goals while driving continuous improvement.
· Contribute to SBG’s program management processes, templates, metrics, and procedures to enhance and optimize them.
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Who You Are
· BS/MS in Engineering/Computer Science or a related field, or a BS with relevant work experience. An MBA is desirable.
· 10+ years of program management experience delivering enterprise hardware products is required.
· Experience leading off-site/off-shore, geographically dispersed teams is required.
· Specific experience in commercial/enterprise hardware appliance development and manufacturing is required.
· Hardware procurement and delivery via a Joint Development Manufacturing (JDM) model is required.
· Strong ability to influence peers, managers, and executives, driving decisions while managing ambiguity.
· Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, to effectively convey problems, issues, risks, and solutions tailored for different stakeholder and leadership levels.
· Exceptional interpersonal and relationship management skills.
· Practical experience with agile and hybrid (waterfall-agile) development methodologies.
· Flexible, adaptable, and a self-starter who learns quickly with minimal supervision.
· Ability to work effectively with various levels of management and technical contributors.
· Organized, thoughtful, and possessing a high level of integrity, empathy and reliability.
· Proven success in change management, particularly, ability to understand unplanned changes in scope, schedule or cost, assess impact to plan of record, and take corrective action for immediate implementation.
· Ability to continuously improve processes by optimizing existing ones or creating new ones to achieve the desired outcomes.
· Demonstrated proficiency in the use of productivity tools like Confluence Wiki, Microsoft Office Apps, Sharepoint, etc, to effectively communicate and visualize program progress, as well as process related workstreams such as swim lanes for the participating functional teams.
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Why Cisco?
At Cisco, we celebrate individuality and diversity. We bring our unique talents together to make a difference and power an inclusive future for all. We embrace digital transformation and help our customers implement change in their digital businesses. While we have a strong legacy in hardware, we are also a leading software and security company. We even invented an intuitive network that adapts, predicts, learns, and protects.
Day to day, we focus on collaboration and accountability. We give our best, set aside our egos, and contribute to our community because giving back is part of our DNA. We take bold steps and value diverse perspectives because without diversity of thought and a commitment to equality for all, there is no progress.
So, whether you have colorful hair, tattoos, a love for polka dots, or a passion for pop culture, we welcome you. If you have a passion for technology and world-changing ideas, be yourself with us at Cisco!