Principal Hardware Engineer

Meet the Team

Join Cisco’s High-Speed Optics team—an innovative group dedicated to advancing the design, integration, and validation of cutting-edge optical modules and interfaces. Our team’s work is vital to Cisco’s leadership in high-speed networking, powering the backbone of data centers and enterprise optical networks worldwide. With a diverse, highly skilled group of engineers, we foster an open, collaborative, and intellectually curious environment where every voice is valued. We are passionate about pushing boundaries, driving new technological frontiers, and shaping the future of optical communications. If you thrive in a dynamic and forward-thinking setting, you’ll find this team both inspiring and rewarding.

Your Impact

• Translate product requirements to design and component requirements

• Define system architecture including evaluation of enabling technologies, both hardware and software

• Create simulation tools for investigation the application and performance impact of component parameters. This also includes definition of calibration algorithms enabling highly efficient manufacturing

• Review manufacturing testing activities and ensure product delivered aligns with product requirements and customer expectations

• Lead in some early product demonstrations to customers

• Plan and direct advanced, innovative technical projects

• Pursue new technology for product suitability

• Serve as a domain expert or cross-domain integrator, leveraging breadth of knowledge to connect emerging technology trends and assess their impact on Cisco products 

• Ensure the development, execution, and enablement of technology strategies that deliver long-term business impact 

• Stay ahead of evolving technology and industry trends, shaping innovation and enabling Cisco to maintain a strong competitive advantage 

• Partner across engineering, product, and business teams to translate strategic vision into scalable, high-impact solutions 

• Mentor and influence senior technical leaders, driving architectural consistency and engineering excellence across the organization 

Minimum qualifications:

• Experienced in optical transmission systems and a strong background in communication theory

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering

• Knowledge in optical components and measurement technology plus knowledge in creating and using simulations tools

• Knowledge in Matlab and Python

Preferred qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related technical field.

• Demonstrated experience leading feasibility studies and joint development projects with industry or academic partners

• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

• Proven ability to drive innovation and collaborate effectively in international, cross-functional teams

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.