Software Security Lead

Cisco

Cisco software security lead securing AI-enabled enterprise platforms and applications. Leading threat modeling, architecture reviews, risk remediation, and portfolio security metrics.

Posted 9/5/2026full-timeRemote • North Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $151,600 - $222,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in software/application security and secure software development, with a strong focus on threat modeling, secure design, and architecture reviews. Proficient in integrating AI securely into platforms and applying security metrics to drive risk reduction and improve security outcomes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Software/Application SecurityThreat ModelingSecure Design/Architecture ReviewsCloud-Native ApplicationsSecurity Metrics Definition

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Secure Software DevelopmentRisk-Based Remediation GuidanceSAST InterpretationDAST InterpretationSCA Results AnalysisCI/CD PipelinesContainersKubernetesAI Security FrameworksSecurity Engineering Metrics

Soft Skills

Influencing LeadershipCross-Team Collaboration

Tools & Technologies

SBOM GenerationArtifact SigningSLSA Practices

Certifications & Qualifications

CISSPCSSLPCCSPGIAC

Industry Keywords

CryptographyIdentity and Access ManagementData SecurityEnterprise Application SecuritySoftware Supply Chain Security

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudKubernetes

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the security authority for Cisco’s IT and Enterprise Operations portfolio
Maintain a current, data-backed view of portfolio security posture
Translate threat trends, architectural shifts, and security debt into actionable priorities
Advise and influence Product Management, Engineering, IT/Enterprise Operations, and Business Information Security Officer partners
Review and approve secure designs across the portfolio
Apply security-by-design and security-by-default principles and make architecture trade-off decisions
Lead portfolio-wide threat modeling and connect models to design decisions
Integrate AI securely into in-scope platforms and apply Software Security AI frameworks
Advocate for AI capabilities that strengthen security outcomes
Coordinate security SMEs in areas such as cryptography and identity
Present prioritized unmitigated security risks and residual posture at release or delivery
Define and lead security engineering metrics, including risk reduction, mean time to remediate, security debt, and developer adoption

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
11+ years of experience in software/application security, secure software development, or security engineering, including a senior or lead role
Proven experience leading threat modeling and secure design/architecture reviews for complex software systems, including AI- and LLM-enabled features
Experience interpreting SAST, DAST, and SCA results and translating findings into risk-based, evidence-backed remediation guidance
Experience with cloud-native applications and modern CI/CD pipelines, including containers and Kubernetes
Ability to influence engineering and product leadership and drive security outcomes across teams without direct authority
Preferred: expertise in identity and access management, cryptography, data security, enterprise application security, or software supply chain security
Preferred: experience with SBOM generation, artifact signing, and SLSA-aligned practices
Preferred: experience partnering with internal IT, operations, or platform engineering teams
Preferred: experience defining and using security metrics
Preferred certifications: CISSP, CSSLP, CCSP, or GIAC

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
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
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 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
Incentive compensation for sales-plan employees