AI Researcher

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  • Location:
    San Francisco, California, US
  • Alternate Location
    Remote, United States
  • Area of Interest
    Engineer - Software
  • Compensation Range
    146800 USD - 244700 USD
  • Job Type
    Professional
  • Technology Interest
    Security
  • Job Id
    1439615

The application window has been extended to 5/10/2025

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Strong preference for Bay Area candidates that can work hybrid in the San Francisco office at least 3 days a week; however, remote candidates will be considered.

Meet the Team

Foundation AI’s mission is to secure AI transformation. The Foundation AI team joined Cisco through the Robust Intelligence acquisition in fall 2024 to lead research and development of security and AI at Cisco. The team has deep expertise in AI and security and is an active contributor to cutting edge research and standards on AI and security. At Cisco, our mission is to build AI Security at Cisco scale as well as lead the next generation of AI infrastructure for disruptive security products across Cisco.

About Robust Intelligence

Robust Intelligence pioneered the category of AI Security and built the first platform for securing AI applications from supply chain, model vulnerabilities, and real time attacks. Funded by Sequoia and Tiger Global, Robust Intelligence customers include the world’s largest banking and financial institutions, HR and payroll services, FinTech and financial software, technology and consumer electronics, insurance, consulting, travel, data centers and cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity as well as government agencies. The company was acquired by Cisco in 2024.

Your Impact 

Join Cisco's Foundation AI team and be at the forefront of AI and Security innovation. Here, you will solve ever-evolving challenges and leverage the dynamic AI landscape to craft solutions that transform the cybersecurity industry. As an AI Researcher, you will have the chance to create ground breaking models and algorithms around AI for security. You'll gain deep expertise in the fields of both AI and security, engaging with all facets of generative AI techniques and their deployment in production environments. You will collaborate with a talented team of researchers, engineers, and security experts, and play a pivotal role in developing groundbreaking AI solutions. Shape the future of AI for Security with us and make an enduring impact on AI adoption across the world.

As an AI researcher, you will

  • Track and analyze emerging AI systems, focusing on applications and environments related to security and safety.
  • Develop a platform for AI data training, fine tuning, evaluation and other AI related needs.
  • Work on foundational models with built in security principles.
  • Author blog posts, white papers, or research papers related to emerging threats in AI security.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams of researchers and engineers to translate research ideas into product features. You'll also have the opportunity to contribute to our overall machine learning culture as an early member of the team.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A PhD in computer science or related fields or Master’s with 2 years of related industry experience or Bachelor’s with 4 years of related industry experience.
  • Work or academic experience in AI, machine learning, and deep learning technologies
  • Work or academic experience in generic programming languages such as Python or Golang.
  • Experience in ML concepts like bias and variance, supervised & unsupervised learning, Generative AI
  • Fluency in reading academic papers on AI/ML and security and translating to prototype systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with AI/ML security risks such as data poisoning, privacy attacks, adversarial inputs, jailbreaks, etc.
  • Experience developing proof-of-concept exploits for new or theoretical attacks.
  • Comfortable with fast iterative style development in an environment that requires autonomous thinking, risk taking and bias for action.
  • Ability to use the latest GenAI technologies and creative prompting. 
  • Comfortable with traditional ML frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow, FastAI etc.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

#WeAreCisco

#WeAreCisco where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all. 

Our passion is connection—we celebrate our employees’ diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best. 

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year—allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do! 

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us! 


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Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.

Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco’s flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco’s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter.  Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

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