Bay Area Tech Giants Cisco and Oracle Announce Layoffs Affecting Over 300 Jobs

Cisco Systems and Oracle America have announced fresh rounds of layoffs, eliminating over 300 jobs in the Bay Area. Cisco is cutting 221 jobs in Milpitas and San Francisco, while Oracle is cutting 101 positions in Santa Clara. These layoffs come on the heels of previous job cuts in 2022 and 2024. The job losses bring the total number of Bay Area job cuts at Cisco to over 2,870 since 2022, and to 490 for Oracle.

Title: Cisco Systems and Oracle America Announce Over 300 Layoffs in the Bay Area

Cisco Systems and Oracle America have announced fresh rounds of layoffs, eliminating over 300 jobs in the Bay Area. Cisco is cutting 221 jobs in Milpitas and San Francisco, while Oracle is cutting 101 positions in Santa Clara. These layoffs come on the heels of previous job cuts in 2022 and 2024.

Cisco's latest round of layoffs, which will take effect on October 13, includes 157 positions in Milpitas and 64 in San Francisco. This brings the total number of Bay Area job cuts at Cisco to over 2,870 since 2022 [1]. Oracle's most recent layoffs, also set to take effect on October 13, include 101 positions in Santa Clara, with 490 positions cut in total since 2022 [1].

These job cuts are part of broader strategic shifts for both companies. Cisco, based in San Jose, has been focusing on cost optimization and realignment of its workforce. Oracle, a leading technology company, is navigating through a challenging phase marked by significant layoffs as it shifts its focus towards AI and cloud infrastructure [2].

The layoffs at Oracle are part of a broader reduction effort that includes 161 layoffs in Seattle and further job cuts in India. The affected employees predominantly include software developers and managerial staff, as well as some executives. These cuts reflect Oracle's attempts to realign its resources and workforce priorities, especially focusing on strengthening its cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities [2].

Cisco's previous layoffs in November 2024 also aimed to optimize its workforce and reduce costs. The company has stated that none of the affected employees are represented by a union, nor do any have bumping rights applicable to the positions in question [1].

The layoffs in the Bay Area come as tech companies face the ongoing imperative of balancing cost control with significant capital allocation in AI and cloud technologies. Oracle's capital strategy includes a substantial joint venture with OpenAI and SoftBank, reportedly worth $500 billion, aimed at bolstering AI capabilities and expanding cloud services [2].

These workforce reductions are part of a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are cutting traditional roles while pouring capital into AI advancements. The geographic shift of headquarters from the Bay Area to locations like Austin and Nashville is seen as a factor contributing to this wave of job cuts, aligning with a trend where tech firms relocate to states offering financial incentives and a favorable business environment [2].

While the layoffs may cause short-term disruptions for employees, they also indicate Oracle's strategic focus on remaining at the forefront of cutting-edge cloud and AI developments. Cisco and Oracle's decisions to eliminate positions may reflect their ongoing need to innovate and compete in rapidly evolving technology sectors [1][2].

References
[1] https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/aug/20/cisco-systems-oracle-trim-300-plus-bay-area-jobs-i/
[2] https://opentools.ai/news/oracles-bay-area-layoffs-a-strategic-shift-amid-ai-investments