Technical Activation Lead

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +4 more states.

📋 Description

• Transform sanctioned cross-product technical and architectural resolutions into structured, time-sensitive workstreams demonstrating customer and field readiness.

• Convert approved use cases and architectural frameworks into organized workstreams, designating owners, dependencies, milestones, and acceptance criteria across AI Defense, Cloud Control, MCF, and upcoming incubation initiatives.

• Manage the technical activation register, decision log, readiness checklist, partner-delivery tracker, use-case charter, and structured feedback log.

• Highlight unresolved dependencies and progress work utilizing evidence.

• Facilitate coordination among product, engineering, SE, dCloud/demo, partner, CX/support, legal/security, and field execution teams.

• Oversee partner SOW deliverables and ensure handoffs and test results are reusable across teams.

• Create reference materials including proof plans, deployment patterns, and field-readiness documentation.

• Manage phases from concept through coordinated proof, pilot, launch readiness, and scaling efforts.

• Coordinate AI Defense competitive-proof readiness.

• Establish onboarding procedures for Cloud Control.

• Guide high-level design for partner Multi Cloud Fabric managed-service practices.

• Ensure acceptance proof is based on concrete results rather than meetings or demonstrations.

• Collaborate with Product leaders to formulate, test, and validate early-stage go-to-market hypotheses.

• Achieve lighthouse customer wins and formulate repeatable sales and partner playbooks for wider sales teams.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 12 years of proven experience in Network software and solutions.

• Strong understanding of architectural principles.

• Capability to develop reference demonstrations, proof plans, deployment patterns, and enablement documentation for early-stage technology innovations.

• Experience in maintaining technical registers, decision logs, and readiness checklists.

• Ability to identify dependencies and escalate issues using data-driven evidence.

• More than 5 years of experience in driving rapid prototyping and Proofs of Concepts (PoCs) from initial ideas through pilot, launch readiness, and scaling.

• Proven track record in leading an engineering team in alignment with sales counterparts.

• Advanced skills in orchestrating complex technical proofs such as AI Defense, Cloud Control, or similar emerging technology validations.

• Competence in managing ambiguity in fast-paced incubation settings and adapting to changing priorities.

• Knowledge of product partnership dynamics and the development of repeatable sales and partner playbooks.

• Experience in generating reusable results across cross-functional teams.

• Exceptional communication and project management abilities.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) plan with contributions matched by Cisco.

• Paid parental leave.

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Basic life insurance.

• Potential Cisco restricted stock unit grants, vesting with continued employment.

• 10 paid holidays each calendar year.

• 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees.

• 1 paid day off for the employee's birthday.

• Paid year-end holiday shutdown.

• 4 paid days off for personal wellness.

• 16 days of paid vacation time each 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 every January 1st thereafter.

• Up to 80 hours of unused sick time can be carried forward annually.

• Additional paid time off for critical or emergency family situations.

• Optional 10 paid volunteer days each calendar year.

• Annual bonuses for non-sales positions, subject to Cisco policies.

• Performance-based incentive compensation for employees on sales plans.