Component Engineer

Application window expected to close on 08/28/2026; posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or sufficient applications are received.

About the Team

This role offers the candidate opportunity for personal growth in the optics and reliability fields. The Component Engineer will assist the Reliability Engineering group with testing and executing qualification programs for optical components (Lasers, Silicon Photonics Dies), optical sub-assemblies, and optical transceiver modules. The role includes overseeing daily execution of new product qualification plans, basic PCB board design, electrical wiring, power connections, test measurement setup, and debug. The engineer will collect and analyze device measurement data, assist in failure analysis of failed samples, and contribute to root cause and corrective action reports.

You will work closely with internal Cisco teams to guide optical transceivers, optical module, and optical transport product qualification and module assembly. Operating in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment, you will engage with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams to test next-generation optical transport and optical transceiver technologies. This role provides high cross-organizational visibility and the opportunity to test critical technology for Cisco’s product platforms.

Your Impact

As part of a global Component Quality and Technology organization, you will contribute to testing optical designs and modules, leveraging diverse subject matter expertise. You will work with the reliability engineering group to evaluate, test, develop, and implement new technologies and testing strategies. Collaborating with state-of-the-art technology partners from the Optical & Semiconductor industries, you will drive product testing innovation for reliability, helping develop the next generation of industry-leading optical transceiver products.

Responsibilities

• Become proficient in methodologies such as DFMEA and statistical tools to evaluate process and design reliability, calculate time to failures, and FIT rates.
• Gain experience with reliability analysis tools such as Reliasoft or JMP.
• Understand test methodologies and learn the basics of optical module qualification plans.
• Develop expertise in failure analysis (FA) methodologies and use FA equipment such as SEM, EDAX, cross-sectioning, ion milling, and various optical and laser measurement tools.
• Work closely with test engineers to develop test set-ups, fault finding, and hardware debug.
• Use SR332 Excel spreadsheets to calculate expected module piece part FITs or MTBF.
• Become proficient with environmental stress testing methods, including shock and vibration parameters, ESD testing, dust testing, mixed flowing gases testing, and optical parameters for pass/fail evaluation of optical modules.
• Demonstrate ability to work with cross-functional teams, exhibiting strong communication, influencing, and program management skills.
• Analyze complex problems, assess risks, and develop mitigation plans to resolve them.

Requirements

• B.S. or B.Eng. in science or engineering fields; MS or PhD preferred.

Benefits

U.S. employees are offered benefits including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution.
• Paid parental leave, short- and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance.
• Paid time away:
  • 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees.
  • 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday.
  • Paid year-end holiday shutdown.
  • 4 paid days off for personal wellness.
  • Non-exempt employees receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at 4.92 hours per pay period.
  • Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program with no defined limit (subject to business limitations).
  • 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, with up to 80 hours carried forward annually.
  • Additional paid time away for critical or emergency family issues.
  • Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year for volunteering.
• Eligibility for annual bonuses (for non-sales roles) and grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest over time.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $85,400.00 to $108,100.00 for new hires in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation, equity, or benefits. Individual pay is determined by hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and training. Full salary ranges for specific locations include:

• New York City Metro Area: $103,500.00 - $150,400.00
• Non-Metro New York State & Washington State: $90,000.00 - $130,900.00

For quota-based sales roles, the ranges include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined. Employees in Illinois will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.