Technical Lead, Performance Test - Cisco AI Software and Platform

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  • Location:
    San Jose, California, US
  • Alternate Location
    San Francisco, CA
  • Area of Interest
    Engineer - Software
  • Compensation Range
    173100 USD - 241700 USD
  • Job Type
    Professional
  • Technology Interest
    AI or Artificial Intelligence, Software Development
  • Job Id
    1442557

Application window expected to close on 7/11/2025

Meet the Team

The AI Software & Platform team delivers AI products and platform for all Cisco Secure products and portfolios so businesses around the world can defend against threats and safeguard the most vital aspects of their business with security resilience. Our passion lies in making our customers secure by simplifying security with zero compromise.

Your Impact

Join our forward-thinking AI Team as a Performance Test Technical Leader, where you'll play a pivotal role in delivering fast, reliable, and scalable AI-powered support within our enterprise applications. You'll be instrumental in optimizing AI model endpoints—powering features like intelligent chatbots, automated issue resolution, and proactive support tools. Working in a modern Kubernetes-based microservices environment, your efforts will directly enhance user experience and operational efficiency across our platforms.

  • Design, develop, and perform comprehensive performance test strategies for AI-driven support features—including load, stress, soak, and UI performance testing.
  • Simulate real-world load scenarios using Locust, targeting AI model endpoints involved in enterprise support use cases.
  • Develop custom test scripts and automation tools using Python, tailored to evaluate and streamline the performance of AI support features.
  • Monitor key performance indicators in real time using Grafana and Datadog, with an emphasis on AI model metrics such as latency, throughput, and error rates.
  • Lead performance analysis efforts focused on improving the responsiveness and scalability of AI components in production.
  • Identify, analyze, and resolve performance bottlenecks in Go-based microservices and the broader Kubernetes-based infrastructure.
  • Collaborate closely with engineering, QE, DevOps, and AI/ML teams to provide actionable insights and recommend performance enhancements.
  • Document test plans, methodologies, and results clearly, ensuring traceability and continual improvement.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in performance testing complex, distributed systems.
  • Strong experience using Locust or similar tools for load testing and performance validation. Advanced proficiency in Python for test development and automation.
  • Proven firsthand experience with Grafana and Datadog or similar tools for real-time monitoring and analysis.
  • Deep understanding of performance testing principles, including metrics collection, analysis, and system tuning.
  • Familiarity with UI performance testing for AI-powered interfaces and support tools.
  • Proven experience in longevity/soak testing for ensuring stability under sustained load.
  • Proficiency with Kubernetes and modern containerized architectures.
  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate test data into relevant insights and technical recommendations.
  • Exposure to CI/CD pipelines and integration of performance testing into DevOps workflows.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with performance testing tools and methodologies specific to AI/ML systems.
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their AI/ML service offerings.
  • Understanding of AI/ML concepts and architecture relevant to enterprise support applications.
  • Experience in performance testing of Go (Golang) services within distributed systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to test and optimize AI model endpoints used in enterprise applications (e.g., NLP models, recommendation engines).

#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! 

Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.


#CiscoAIJobs

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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