Principal Security Architect, AI Security

Principal Security Architect, AI Security The application window is expected to close on: 05/18/2026Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This is a hybrid role in San Jose, CA or Raleigh North Carolina. Remote US possible.

Meet the TeamJoin Cisco's Security & Trust Organization within the Security Operations team. We are a remote-first, highly collaborative team driving high-visibility, multi-functional programs that protect Cisco's enterprise and customers. Known for stability, strong leadership development, and tackling some of Cisco's most strategic security challenges, we are now building a dedicated function focused on securing AI across its full lifecycle. As AI rapidly transforms how enterprises operate, you'll be at the forefront of shaping that mission and defining what responsible, secure AI looks like at Cisco.

Your ImpactAs an AI Security Engineer Technical Leader, you will lead the charge in securing the future of AI across the enterprise. This is a senior individual contributor role w you will shape industry-leading AI security strategies, partner with world-class engineering and security teams, and drive responsible AI innovation at scale. You'll work with innovative technologies — including generative AI and autonomous agents — to protect Cisco's AI-enabled products, platforms, and data. You will operate with authority and influence across product, engineering, legal, privacy, and risk teams, making security decisions on behalf of the organization in fast-moving environments. If you're passionate about pioneering AI security and influencing enterprise-wide standards, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.

• Lead the design and governance of AI security architecture, setting the strategic vision and driving adoption of best-in-class security standards across the enterprise.
• Drive secure-by-design principles for AI applications and platforms, ensuring scalable and resilient AI deployments at enterprise scale.
• Establish governance frameworks and guardrails for responsible AI use, balancing innovation with compliance and risk management.
• Partner multi-functionally with product, engineering, legal, privacy, and risk teams to embed security throughout the AI lifecycle.
• Mentor and inspire architects and engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, curiosity, and security excellence. Minimum Qualifications
• 8+ years of experience in cybersecurity with a focus on security architecture.
• Hands -on experience securing AI/ML systems, generative AI, or cloud-native platforms.
• Demonstrated experience with systems-level security architecture and implementation at enterprise scale.
• Proven knowledge of AI threat vectors, including prompt injection, model poisoning, and data leakage.
• Experience leading sophisticated, multi-functional security initiatives in large, dynamic organizations. Preferred Qualifications
• Track record of influencing and leading without direct organizational authority across senior leaders and multi-functional teams.
• Experience with AI security in cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Familiarity with AI governance, privacy regulations, and ethical AI principles (e.

g., NIST

AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001, MITRE ATLAS

).

• Background in evaluating AI vendor security and managing software supply chain risks.
• A curious, problem-solving approach with the ability to operate as a trusted advisor and partner — not a gatekeeper.

Why Cisco? At Cisco, we're revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era - and beyond. We've been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you'll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everyw, our impact is everyw. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you. Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or

Canada:

The starting salary range posted for this position is $174,700.00 to $253,400.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation

• , equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process. U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco's plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time. U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies:

• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
• 1 paid day off for employee's birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
• Non-exempt employees
• receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
• Exempt employees participate in Cisco's flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)
• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st tafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried f.

..Visit the Employer site for more details