Senior Design Engineer

Application Window expected to close 03/01/2026. Meet the Team Join Cisco’s Silicon Photonics group, where we combine deep expertise in analog, digital, and optical design to build the world’s fastest networking solutions. We’re a collaborative, innovative team passionate about pushing the limits of high-speed connectivity. Your Impact As a Hardware Design Engineer, you’ll lead the design and development of next-generation 100G/200G/400G photonics ICs. From architecture to lab validation, you’ll shape product direction, mentor engineers, and ensure Cisco stays at the forefront of optical networking innovation. Specific responsibilities include: Drive architecture, design, and verification of high-speed mixed-signal and photonics circuits. Define and document chip-level specifications and verification plans. Collaborate across optical, electrical, firmware, and manufacturing teams to deliver end-to-end solutions. Lead lab validation, debug, and yield improvement activities. Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers. Minimum Qualifications Bachelors + 7 years of related experience, or Masters + 4 years of related experience, or PhD + 1 year of related experience, or equivalent related work experience Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering (or related field). Experience in analog/mixed-signal IC design for high-speed system. Lab validation and test experience with high-speed equipment. Experience writing code with Python or C for automation and/or analysis. Expertise with design tools (Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre, Calibre, etc.). Preferred Qualifications Deep expertise in photonics and high-speed datapath circuits (modulators, TIAs, PLLs, ADC/DAC, CDR). Knowledge of industry standards (IEEE 802.3, QSFP, OSFP, QSFP-DD). Experience leading cross-functional teams and making critical design tradeoffs. Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring skills. Why Cisco? At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you. Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada: The starting salary range posted for this position is $130,600.00 to $182,200.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process. U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time. U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described ... (truncated, view full listing at source)