Customer Delivery Software Architect

About the Role

Cisco Customer Experience (CX) is seeking a Customer Delivery Software Architect to lead the design and delivery of automation and AI-enabled solutions for a major service provider in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role focuses on defining scalable software architectures that integrate network infrastructure, operational systems, data platforms, and business workflows.

Role Context and Focus

This position is a dedicated software architecture role, distinct from network migration or product implementation. The primary objective is to establish robust architecture, engineering practices, integration patterns, and governance for network automation and intelligent operations. The architect will translate complex operational needs into secure, reusable, and maintainable solutions, collaborating with customer stakeholders and cross-functional Cisco teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end software architecture for network automation, orchestration, assurance, observability, and AI-enabled operational solutions.
• Translate business and operational requirements into architecture blueprints, technical roadmaps, integration patterns, data models, APIs, and engineering backlogs.
• Design secure, modular, scalable solutions that integrate network platforms with systems such as Cisco Crosswork.
• Establish engineering standards covering source control, automated testing, CI/CD, observability, documentation, release management, security, and software lifecycle governance.
• Guide engineering teams through solution design and delivery, conducting architecture reviews and ensuring implementations meet functional and non-functional requirements.
• Lead and influence global, cross-functional teams, including PMs, PgMs, SDMs, CEs, and TLs, as well as customer stakeholders, to ensure successful delivery of complex, multi-architecture solutions aligned to business outcomes.
• Define practical approaches for applying AI and analytics to use cases such as anomaly detection, operational insight, decision support, and workflow automation.
• Build reusable frameworks, reference architectures, and best practices while mentoring engineers and strengthening software architecture capabilities across delivery teams.

Required Experience and Skills

• 12 years of experience in software architecture, particularly in network automation and intelligent operations.
• Demonstrated ability to combine architecture leadership with practical engineering expertise.
• Proficiency in defining scalable software architectures that connect network infrastructure, operational systems, data platforms, and business workflows.
• Experience in establishing sound architecture, engineering practices, integration patterns, and governance for complex solutions.

Work Environment and Location

This role requires frequent onsite collaboration in Riyadh due to customer access controls, local testing requirements, and the need to work closely with engineering and operations teams. The successful candidate will contribute to shaping the software foundations for scalable network automation and intelligent operations, transforming automation into secure, reusable capabilities that deliver sustained operational value.

About Cisco

Cisco has been innovating for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across physical and digital worlds. The company provides customers with security, visibility, and insights across their digital footprint. Cisco fosters a collaborative environment where individuals can grow and build meaningful solutions on a global scale.