Machine Learning Engineer Leader - Robust Intelligence

  • Location:
    San Francisco, California, US
  • Alternate Location
    Remote, United States
  • Area of Interest
    Engineer - Software
  • Compensation Range
    207700 USD - 264000 USD
  • Job Type
    Professional
  • Technology Interest
    AI or Artificial Intelligence
  • Job Id
    1435512

The application window is expected to close on February 21, 2025 

 

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

 

This is a hybrid/ remote role. Stong preference will be given to candidates from the following locations: San Jose, San Francisco Bay area, California; Fulton/DC Metro; Austin, Texas; Ann Arbor, Michigan, RTP, North Carolina; Atlanta Metro, Georgia; Boston Metro, Massachusetts. 

 

Meet the Team 

 

Robust Intelligence’s mission is to secure the AI transformation. The Robust Intelligence team joined Cisco through 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 created 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 

 

As a Technical Leader, you will drive end-to-end ML solutions, designing and deploying transformer-based models, building data pipelines, optimizing ML infrastructure, and developing AI-powered systems that solve real-life industry challenges. You will work across modeling, infra, ML ops, and system development, collaborating with engineers, researchers, and customers to shape the future of AI. 

  • Lead the design and deployment of end-to-end ML solutions for real-world applications 
  • Develop and fine-tune transformer-based models for diverse AI challenges 
  • Work across modeling, ML infrastructure, system development, and deployment 
  • Collaborate with customers and internal teams to align AI solutions with business needs 
  • Ensure AI models are scalable, robust, and production-ready 
  • Provide technical mentorship and lead initiatives within the ML team 
  • Research and apply cutting-edge ML techniques to optimize AI-driven products 

 

Minimum Qualifications 

  • Bachelors degree with 7+ years (or) Masters degree with 5+ years (or) PhD degree with 2+ year of software development industry experience 
  • 3+ years of industry experience in building ML Systems end-to-end (data processing, model training, deployment) 
  • Experience in Python or Go and ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow) 

 

Preferred Qualifications 


  • Experience working with real-world AI problems, especially in customer-facing applications 
  • Strong understanding of ML fundamentals, classic ML algorithms, modern transformer-based models and deep learning architectures 
  • Knowledge of LangChain, LlamaIndex, and Hugging Face models 
  • Background in AI security, risk detection, or fraud detection (a plus, but not required) 
  • Research experience or contributions to open-source ML projects 
  • Self-starter with a strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently 

 

#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! 

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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