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Cisco • San Jose, California, United States
Salary: $152,400 - $221,800 / year
Role & seniority: Hardware Engineer (senior level) in Cisco Hardware Engineering Assurance.
Stack/tools: High-speed electrical/optical test equipment (oscilloscopes with CDR, BERT, network analyzers, OSA), optical transceivers (SFP, QSFP, OSFP, QSFP-DD), SERDES, test automation (Python), instrument control, reading schematics/PCB layout, familiarity with CPUs/microcontrollers, LVDS, power integrity.
Define and implement platform host test procedures; characterize and qualify high-speed host interfaces.
Validate high-speed host/optical interfaces from 1 Gbps to 224 Gbps per lane across DAC, multimode, and single-mode cables; drive validation of emerging optical technologies (CPO, LPO, LRO).
Develop test strategies, integrate new test equipment, automate workflows, ensure compliance with internal and industry standards; generate test plans/reports and support field issue analysis.
Bachelor’s in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related; 6+ years (or Master’s with 4+ years).
Hands-on experience with high-speed electrical/optical test gear; knowledge of SERDES, optical transceivers, IEEE 802.3, OIF/CEI, MSAs, SFF-8431.
Proficiency in scripting/automation (e.g., Python); ability to read schematics and understand PCB/layout; experience with test automation and hardware/optics evaluation methodologies.
The application window is expected to close on: 04/24/2026 Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received. This position requires that you live within commuting distance of our San Jose, CA office and commute to the office 5 days per week. MEET THE TEAM Cisco Hardware Engineers work on next-generation technologies to design and deliver industry-leading hardware products, with a strong focus on user experience, IEEE standards, and industry guidelines. The Hardware Engineering Assurance team plays a critical role in delivering world-class hardware platforms by ensuring the highest levels of quality, reliability, and performance. The team is responsible for comprehensive system level validation of hardware components and associated software, using a multi-stage validation process to ensure each phase of development meets Cisco’s thorough quality standards prior to production release. By joining this team, you will directly influence the end-user experience through detailed validation of hardware platform behavior, working alongside highly collaborative and innovative engineers committed to technical excellence and continuous improvement. If you are passionate about quality engineering and motivated to make a measurable impact on modern hardware solutions that power Cisco’s global network infrastructure, we encourage you to apply. YOUR IMPACT You will be a key contributor to both new product development and sustaining engineering, ensuring robust, high-quality optical interface solutions across multiple Cisco hardware platforms. Define and implement platform host test procedures, including design characterization and qualification of high-speed host interfaces. Validate high-speed host and optical interfaces from 1 Gbps to 224 Gbps per lane across DAC, multimode, and single-mode solutions. Drive validation efforts for emerging optical technologies including CPO, LPO, and LRO, contributing to next-generation system development. Review engineering specifications and translate product requirements into comprehensive test strategies and methodologies. Integrate new test equipment and build scalable test systems, environments, and automation frameworks. Leverage automation and scripting to implement test strategies, improve coverage, and increase validation efficiency. Implement compliance testing against Cisco internal specifications and industry standards. Perform detailed issue analysis, provide mitigation strategies, and drive issues to closure across multi-functional teams. Develop and maintain test plans, procedures, and detailed test reports. Support field issue root-cause analysis and assist with customer issues. Collaborate closely with system architects, signal integrity engineers, software/diagnostics teams, customer support engineers, and external vendors to ensure robust validation methodology, timely issue resolution, and high product quality. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or a related technical field, with 6+ years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 4+ years of experience.
Signal Analysis and Testing Instruments: High-speed oscilloscopes with CDR, BERT (Bit Error Rate Tester) and Network analyzers Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA) Traffic and Noise Simulation Devices to include Noise and Traffic generators PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience with high-speed SERDES systems and/or signal integrity. Solid understanding of optical transceiver theory, functional blocks, and industry form factors (SFP, QSFP, OSFP, QSFP-DD, etc.). Experience with optical signal measurements and characterization techniques. Working experience of relevant standards and specifications such as IEEE 802.3, OIF/CEI, MSAs, and SFF-8431. Shown problem solving and diagnostics skills. Experience developing hardware/optics physical-layer evaluation methodologies based on product requirements. Experience with instrument control and test automation. Proficiency in scripting and automation (e.g., Python) for measurement and validation workflows. Familiarity with hardware subsystems including CPUs/microcontrollers, LVDS signaling, clocking architectures, and power integrity, with the ability to read schematics and understand PCB layout considerations 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.
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 below, subject to Cisco’s policies: