Director, Product Management – AI Defense

Cisco

AI security product leader shaping Cisco’s enterprise AI defense platform. Driving strategy, partnerships, and cross-functional delivery across governance, runtime protection, and AI validation.

Posted 9/4/2026full-timeMilpitas • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $233,900 - $330,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading AI Security product strategy and execution, with a strong focus on customer-centric innovation and cross-functional collaboration. Proven ability to develop and manage enterprise software products, leveraging deep understanding of AI architectures and cybersecurity.

Highest-signal resume keywords

AI Product ManagementCross-Functional LeadershipEnterprise Software DevelopmentExecutive CommunicationAI Governance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Product StrategyAI SecurityCloud Platform DevelopmentCybersecurityEnterprise AI ArchitecturesAPIsSDKsMarketplacesEcosystem IntegrationsProduct Lifecycle Management

Soft Skills

People LeadershipMentoringCustomer Relationship ManagementStrategic ThinkingInnovation

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s DegreeMaster’s DegreePhD

Industry Keywords

AI GovernanceRuntime SecurityAI Application SecurityAI Supply Chain SecurityAgent SecurityThreat ResearchEnterprise SoftwareNetworkingObservabilityFortune 500 Experience

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudCyber Security

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead strategy, roadmap, and execution for a major AI Security product area from concept through production, adoption, and lifecycle management
Define a multi-year product vision and strategy aligned with Cisco’s AI Security vision and enterprise customer needs
Drive product investments across AI governance, AI application security, runtime protection, AI supply chain security, agent security, and AI validation
Partner with Engineering, Design, Threat Research, GTM, Customer Experience, Sales, Marketing, and Business Development
Translate customer requirements, competitive intelligence, and emerging AI threats into product direction and priorities
Drive strategic partnerships with hyperscalers, AI platforms, developer ecosystems, and enterprise software providers
Lead cross-functional planning, investment tradeoffs, and roadmap prioritization across multiple releases
Develop relationships with customers, design partners, analysts, and strategic partners
Represent Cisco at executive customer meetings, industry events, analyst briefings, and conferences
Mentor and develop senior product managers and establish world-class product management practices
Drive customer-centric innovation across the AI Security portfolio
Influence strategy across Cisco’s Security, AI, Networking, and Observability organizations
Build competitive differentiation through platform thinking, ecosystem partnerships, and enterprise workflows
Build high-performing teams while maintaining exceptional product quality
Help establish Cisco as the trusted security platform for enterprise AI

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree
12+ years of industry experience
Strong product management background in the AI products space
People leadership experience managing senior product managers or technical product leaders
Experience defining and delivering enterprise software or cloud platform products from strategy through general availability (GA)
Experience building AI, cybersecurity, cloud, identity, networking, observability, or similar enterprise platform products
Success leading cross-functional organizations across Engineering, UX, Marketing, Sales, Customer Success, and executive stakeholders
Strong executive communication skills
Master’s degree or PhD preferred
Strong understanding of enterprise AI architectures, LLMs, AI agents, RAG, MCP, AI governance, and runtime security
Experience developing platform strategies spanning APIs, SDKs, marketplaces, and ecosystem integrations
Track record translating emerging technology trends into commercially successful product strategies
Experience working directly with Fortune 500 customers, strategic design partners, and industry analysts
Ability to balance long-term platform strategy with near-term execution and customer delivery

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
Paid birthday day off
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid personal wellness days
16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
Flexible vacation time off program for 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
Opportunities to grow and build on a global scale