Cisco DevOps Engineer Interview Questions (2026)
Landing a DevOps Engineer role at Cisco requires targeted preparation. Cisco interviews typically include a recruiter screen, technical interviews, and a team-fit discussion. Engineering roles test networking protocols, system design, and software development skills. Business roles assess client engagement abilities and strategic thinking. Cisco emphasizes inclusive culture and evaluates candidates on teamwork and communication skills. This guide covers the most frequently asked questions and insider tips to help you succeed in your Cisco DevOps Engineer interview.
About the Cisco Interview Process
Cisco interviews focus on networking fundamentals, collaboration skills, and the ability to design solutions for complex enterprise environments.
Cisco interviews typically include a recruiter screen, technical interviews, and a team-fit discussion. Engineering roles test networking protocols, system design, and software development skills. Business roles assess client engagement abilities and strategic thinking. Cisco emphasizes inclusive culture and evaluates candidates on teamwork and communication skills.
Why Cisco DevOps Engineer Interviews Are Different
Cisco DevOps Engineer interviews differ from standard DevOps Engineer interviews in several key ways. The company has a unique interview culture, specific evaluation criteria, and expects candidates to demonstrate alignment with their values and mission. Understanding these differences gives you a significant advantage over other candidates.
Top 10 DevOps Engineer Interview Questions at Cisco
- A common Cisco interview question: Explain the CI/CD pipeline you would set up for a new project.
- Cisco interviewers often ask: What is Infrastructure as Code and what tools have you used?
- Cisco interviewers often ask: How do you monitor and alert on production systems?
- At Cisco, you might be asked: Describe the difference between Docker and Kubernetes.
- Cisco candidates should prepare for: How would you handle a zero-downtime deployment?
- Expect this at Cisco: What is your approach to secret management?
- Expect this at Cisco: Explain blue-green deployments vs canary deployments.
- Expect this at Cisco: How do you manage infrastructure costs in the cloud?
- Cisco candidates should prepare for: Describe a time you resolved a major production incident.
- Cisco interviewers often ask: What logging and observability tools do you prefer?
Cisco-Specific Preparation Tips for DevOps Engineer Candidates
- Study networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, routing, switching, and security
- Prepare for system design questions involving enterprise network architecture
- Research Cisco products and their approach to hybrid work and collaboration
- Show examples of cross-functional teamwork and inclusive leadership
- Be ready to discuss automation, SDN, and modern network management trends
General DevOps Engineer Interview Tips
- Have hands-on experience with at least one major cloud provider
- Understand containerization and orchestration concepts
- Be ready to discuss incident management processes
- Know how to write infrastructure automation scripts
Preparation Timeline for Cisco DevOps Engineer Interviews
- 4 weeks before: Research Cisco culture, recent news, and the specific team you are applying to.
- 2-3 weeks before: Practice technical questions daily and prepare behavioral stories using the STAR method.
- 1 week before: Do full mock interviews with HireFlow AI simulating Cisco interview style.
- Day before: Review your notes, prepare questions for the interviewer, and get a good night of rest.
Practice Cisco DevOps Engineer Interview with HireFlow AI — our AI adapts to Cisco's interview style and gives real-time feedback.