Join us and shape the future of test automation and quality strategy across one of the industry's most advanced security platform ecosystems!
About The Role
We are seeking a technically strong and visionary Principal Software Engineer QA to lead the evolution of our test architecture and automation strategy within the Security Platform Services Group. This role will focus on architecting scalable, reliable, and maintainable quality assurance systems across our cloud and on-premises product portfolio. You have deep hands-on experience with modern test frameworks—such as Robot Framework—and you bring a passion for enabling engineering teams through automation, quality-first thinking, and CI/CD integration.
Responsibilities
• Design and evolve the end-to-end test architecture across cloud-native and on-premises environments.
• Champion the use of Robot Framework or similar keyword- and data-driven testing frameworks for functional, integration, and end-to-end testing.
• Build and maintain scalable test harnesses that integrate seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines.
• Define the test strategy and quality standards across teams, ensuring consistent automation practices and reusable test libraries.
• Collaborate with SRE, development, and product teams to ensure quality is embedded early in the SDLC.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to QA and development engineers on automation and test architecture best practices.
• Lead adoption of tools and processes that enhance observability and diagnostics of test failures (e.g., through integration with Prometheus, Splunk, Grafana).
• Ensure that security, compliance, and performance testing are integrated as part of the quality ecosystem.
• Actively contribute to test infrastructure as code, leveraging technologies like Kubernetes, Docker, and Terraform where applicable.
Qualifications And Experiences
• 10+ years of experience in software quality engineering, with 5+ years in a QA architect or principal-level role.
• Strong hands-on experience with Robot Framework or similar tools (e.g., Playwright, Selenium, Cypress, Pytest).
• Solid understanding of test automation patterns, test data management, and mocking/service virtualization.
• Expertise in integrating test suites into CI/CD workflows using systems like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or GitLab CI/CD.
• Practical experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and modern deployment paradigms (microservices, containers).
• Familiarity with infrastructure automation and testing in DevOps contexts using Terraform, Kubernetes, and Docker.
• Proficiency in scripting or programming languages (Python, Bash, or similar) for building custom test utilities.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence cross-functional teams toward quality-driven development.
Nice to Haves
• Experience in security-focused product environments and platform services.
• Contributions to open-source test tools or frameworks.
• Exposure to performance, security, and chaos testing practices.
Base Salary Range for Bay Area, California $198,600.00 to $282,900.00
When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location.
What We Offer You
U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.
Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period.
Exempt new hires participate in Cisco’s flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco’s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter. Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.
We value diversity at our company. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics in the location in which the candidate is applying. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
