Software Engineer Data & AI PhD (Intern) - United States

Location: San Jose, California, US; Chicago, Illinois, US; Santa Monica, California, US

Please note this posting is to advertise potential job opportunities. This exact role may not be open today but could open in the near future. When you apply, a Cisco representative may contact you directly if a relevant position opens.

Applications accepted until further notice.

This role may be eligible for remote work in the United States depending on business needs and hiring manager approval.

Meet the Team

Our dedicated team members are building the future of Cisco’s AI-driven platforms and data infrastructure, supporting innovation across the globe. You will join teams focused on developing advanced data pipelines, machine learning infrastructure, and analytics platforms within business groups such as S&TO, Supply Chain, and Engineering. As part of this collaborative environment, you will contribute to the growth of emerging technologies in data and intelligent systems. Explore the opportunities at the intersection of data engineering and AI, helping to transform how Cisco and its customers harness information and intelligent automation.

Your Impact

You are a passionate software engineer with expertise in developing scalable data pipelines, designing robust analytics platforms, and building infrastructure to support machine learning initiatives. Your strong background in programming, data systems, and collaboration enables you to solve complex challenges with innovation and attention to detail. By building and maintaining key software tools and platforms, you enable Cisco’s business groups to leverage AI and data-driven insights for operational excellence and strategic growth. Your work ensures high-quality, reliable data infrastructure that supports Cisco’s leadership in intelligent, scalable technology solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

Currently enrolled in a PhD program.

-Qualifying education should be in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field.

-Expected to continue enrollment in degree program following completion of the internship.

Demonstrated proficiency in Python and fundamental data structures

Hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn.

Familiarity with distributed data processing technologies, including Apache Spark, Hadoop (MapReduce), or Apache Flink.

Experience with containerization and orchestration tools, such as Docker and Kubernetes, for deploying data and machine learning workloads.

Preferred Qualifications

Hands-on experience with AI/ML.

Familiarity with major cloud platforms, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

Understanding of distributed systems concepts, including scalability, reliability, fault tolerance, and data consistency, as well as familiarity with distributed computing patterns (e.g., load balancing, consensus algorithms, and inter-service communication).

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 everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

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

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 thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next

Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota an