Principal AI Researcher

Cisco

Principal AI Researcher developing world models and reinforcement learning for Cisco’s autonomous networking platforms. Building simulators and safety evaluation methods for production network systems.

Posted 9/3/2026full-timeMilpitas • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $296,300 - $374,800 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and optimizing world models and reinforcement learning approaches for autonomous networks, with a strong focus on deep learning frameworks and real-world application of research findings.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Master's Degree In Computer ScienceReinforcement LearningDeep Learning Model OptimizationPyTorchResearch Publication In AI/ML

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

World ModelsModel-Based Reinforcement LearningRepresentation LearningPlanningSequential Decision-MakingSimulation EnvironmentsNetwork Behavior PredictionConfiguration Impact AnalysisTraining And Evaluating ModelsLearning-Based Approaches

Soft Skills

Research Problem SolvingCollaboration With Networking Experts

Tools & Technologies

JAXDeep Learning FrameworksSimulation Tools

Industry Keywords

Autonomous NetworksDistributed SystemsRoboticsEmbodied AILarge-Scale Trajectories

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Distributed SystemsPyTorch

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead research on world models and learning-based approaches for autonomous networks
Develop world models that learn the state and dynamics of large-scale network environments
Build models that predict network behavior and the impact of configuration and operational changes
Develop model-based reinforcement learning approaches for network optimization, troubleshooting, and remediation
Build simulation environments for training and evaluating models and agents before production deployment
Explore representation learning, planning, and sequential decision-making approaches for network environments
Develop methods to evaluate the reliability and safety of learned policies before deployment
Work with networking experts and engineers to evaluate research on real network data and systems
Publish research at leading AI/ML conferences
Contribute to open-source projects

Requirements

What you’ll need

Master's degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Autonomous Systems, or a related field, with 8+ years of relevant research experience, or equivalent demonstrated research impact
Research experience in world models, reinforcement learning, model-based RL, representation learning, planning, or sequential decision-making
3+ years of hands-on experience building, training, and optimizing deep learning models using PyTorch, JAX, or comparable frameworks
At least 2 models trained and evaluated at production or research scale
Demonstrated research track record through publications at leading AI/ML conferences or equivalent research contributions
Ability to take a research problem from idea through experimentation and working prototype
Preferred: experience building world models, learned simulators, or model-based RL systems
Preferred: experience with offline or online reinforcement learning, simulation, or learning from large-scale trajectories
Preferred: experience with graph learning or modeling complex dynamic systems
Preferred: experience in networking, distributed systems, robotics, autonomous systems, or embodied AI
Preferred: experience applying research to real-world systems at scale

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental and vision insurance
401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Cisco restricted stock unit grants may be available, vesting following continued employment
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
Paid birthday day off
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid days off for personal wellness
16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
Flexible vacation time off program with no defined limit for eligible exempt employees
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
Up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward
Additional paid time away for critical or emergency family issues
Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year
Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco policies
Sales incentive compensation for employees on sales plans, subject to the applicable Cisco plan