Cisco Employees Reviews, Feedback, Testimonials

Employee Testimonials

People who work at Cisco often speak warmly about their teams and the technology they get to build. “I love the problem-solving here,” said one network engineer, “you get to work on products that actually move the internet.” Others highlight the supportive peers and inclusive employee resource groups. Some employees note that you will find very experienced colleagues who are willing to mentor, while others mention occasional bureaucracy that slows decision-making. If you care about learning and stability, working at Cisco can be very satisfying.

Company Culture

The company culture at Cisco leans toward collaboration, inclusivity, and a strong focus on customers. Teams generally value transparency and open communication. You will see a mix of startup energy in certain product groups and more process-driven approaches in long-standing business units. Diversity and inclusion are visible priorities, with many employee resource groups and events. For anyone researching company culture at Cisco, expect a fairly mature environment where cross-functional teamwork matters and corporate social responsibility is emphasized.

Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance at Cisco is usually positive. Many employees appreciate flexible schedules and the option to work remotely or in hybrid setups. During high-priority launches or quarterly deadlines, you will need to put in extra hours, but most teams try to respect personal time. Parents and caretakers often report that the company offers reasonable support through leave policies and flexible arrangements. If balancing life and work is a top priority for you, Cisco often provides the tools and policies to make that possible.

Job Security

Cisco offers reasonable job stability relative to many tech peers. There are periodic organizational changes and occasional workforce reductions tied to shifts in strategy or market conditions. However, the company maintains a broad product portfolio and steady revenue streams that tend to reduce long-term risk for many roles. Employees in high-demand technical areas and revenue-generating functions will find stronger protection against layoffs. It is advisable to maintain up-to-date skills and cross-team networks to further increase security.

Leadership and Management

Leadership at Cisco emphasizes strategic clarity and long-term planning. Executives communicate company priorities through regular town halls and public updates. Managers are typically experienced and focused on outcomes, with an emphasis on measurable impact. There can be variance in managerial styles across business units. Some leaders are hands-on and coaching-oriented, while others operate more at a strategic level and rely on senior staff execution. Overall, leadership follows established processes and aims to align teams with broader company goals.

Manager Reviews

Manager quality varies widely. Many managers are praised for mentorship, career development, and transparent feedback. Others receive criticism for being overly process-focused or slow to make decisions. A recurring theme in manager feedback is the importance of clear expectations and regular one-on-ones; where those practices are followed, teams tend to thrive. Prospective employees should ask direct questions about management style in interviews and try to speak with potential peers to get a clearer picture.

Learning & Development

Cisco invests significantly in learning and development. There are internal training platforms, certification support (including networking and security certifications), tuition reimbursement programs, and rotational opportunities. Employees can access technical courses, leadership tracks, and mentorship programs. The company encourages continuous learning and often rewards employees who pursue advanced certifications and cross-functional skills.

Opportunities for Promotions

Promotion paths are generally structured and transparent. There are clear levels for individual contributors and managers, with documented expectations for advancement. Movement across teams and business units is possible and often encouraged for career growth. Promotion timelines will vary by role and performance; high performers can advance quickly, while others may follow a more standard timeline.

Salary Ranges

Salary ranges at Cisco vary by role, location, and experience. Typical ranges in the United States are roughly:

• Software Engineer: $110,000–$190,000
• Senior Software Engineer: $160,000–$240,000
• Principal Engineer/Architect: $220,000–$350,000
• Network Engineer/Systems Engineer: $90,000–$160,000
• Product Manager: $120,000–$220,000
• Sales roles (base): $80,000–$160,000 (on-target earnings can be significantly higher) These figures are approximate and will differ by geography, level, and market conditions.

Bonuses & Incentives

Cisco provides a mix of bonuses, stock awards, and commissions. Performance bonuses and annual merit increases are common. Many employees receive restricted stock units (RSUs) as part of total compensation, which aligns employee incentives with company performance. Sales and customer-facing roles typically have commission plans and on-target earnings that can substantially increase total pay. Incentive structures are generally competitive with large enterprise tech peers.

Health and Insurance Benefits

Health and insurance benefits at Cisco are comprehensive. Medical, dental, and vision plans are offered, along with health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and wellness programs. Mental health resources, employee assistance programs, and family planning support are available. The benefits package is designed to support a wide range of employee needs and is comparable to top-tier technology companies.

Employee Engagement and Events

Cisco runs frequent engagement activities, including hackathons, internal conferences, team offsites, and community volunteering. Town halls and AMA sessions with executives are regular features that help employees feel connected to company strategy. Employee resource groups host cultural events and support networks. The social calendar and engagement offerings are robust and contribute to a sense of belonging.

Remote Work Support

Remote work support is strong. Cisco provides tools, hardware subsidies, collaboration platforms, and VPN/networking support built with the company’s own technologies. Remote onboarding and virtual team-building practices are mature. The company recognizes distributed teams and has policies to support hybrid and fully remote roles depending on business needs.

Average Working Hours

Average working hours tend to fall around 40–45 hours per week for many roles. During product launches, quarter ends, or major incidents, work hours can increase temporarily. The company encourages use of paid time off and respects time-off policies, but workload can vary substantially by team and role.

Attrition Rate & Layoff History

Cisco has experienced periodic attrition consistent with industry trends. There have been restructurings and layoffs in some years tied to strategic shifts and market cycles. Attrition tends to be lower in established engineering and revenue-critical teams. Prospective applicants should evaluate current business unit health during the interview process.

Overall Company Rating

Overall, Cisco scores highly for stability, benefits, and learning opportunities. The company is a strong choice for professionals seeking a mature tech employer with serious investment in employee development. On a scale of 1 to 5, Cisco would rate around 4.1 for most roles, with higher scores in technical growth areas and slightly lower scores where bureaucracy is more pronounced. For those weighing options, Cisco offers a compelling mix of career development, compensation, and stability.