Director, Hardware Engineering (Client Optics Group)

Application window closes on September 10, 2026 or earlier if the position is filled.

About the Team

The Director will set up and lead a high-performance engineering design team in the US & India for Cisco’s Client Optics Group (COG), driving end-to-end execution of optical transceiver development for COG’s silicon-photonics–based transceiver chipsets and modules. This includes architecture, development, simulation, diagnostics, bring-up, and validation of electronics IC (EIC) paired with silicon photonics ICs (PICs). A key focus is deploying AI tools to enhance productivity, quality, and development cycle times.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate Marketing Requirements Documents (MRDs) and provide timely responses on approach, timeline, and feasibility for new product concepts.
• Participate significantly in Cisco’s product lifecycle (PLC) process, including Concept Commits (CCs), Engineering Commits (ECs), and other key milestones.
• Work with the COG Program Management Team to develop and maintain accurate, detailed program schedules and resource plans.
• Drive adoption of AI tools to enhance productivity, quality, and development speed.
• Oversee the design, development, delivery, and documentation of electronics ICs and chipsets, ensuring execution with predictability, velocity, and quality.
• Ensure the Analog Design team follows best engineering practices in development, custom layout, simulation, validation/characterization, and documentation of optical transceiver designs.
• Apply analytics and AI/ML to stimulate edge cases, optimize test strategies, and improve test coverage, usability, debug capabilities, and fault isolation.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (digital design, SI/PI, layout, silicon characterization, Product Management, and Operations) to ensure multi-functional alignment and successful program delivery.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, accountable, and inclusive culture, promoting guidelines and knowledge sharing across global teams.
• Mentor and develop high-performing teams, emphasizing continuous learning in silicon development and effective use of AI-assisted development tools.

Requirements

• 15+ years of high-speed electronics experience, including management of global teams.
• Advanced degree (Master’s/PhD) in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field, with a focus on semiconductor and/or optics development.
• Extensive experience in the following disciplines:
  • Mixed signal/analog electronics: Drivers, TIAs, ADCs, TX/RX Equalizers, CDRs, etc.
  • Digital signal processors (DSP).
  • Optical/Photonic ICs or similar: Modulators, Photo Detectors, Grating Couplers, Waveguides, etc.
  • High-speed SERDES: 112Gbps, 224Gbps, 448Gbps PAM4/PAM6.
  • Signal & power integrity, channel modeling.
  • Advanced packaging including fine-pitch and low-parasitic chip-chip interconnect.
  • PLL/clock domains and distribution.
  • Power distribution.
  • Silicon diagnostics, test coverage, and DFT.
  • Electrical, optical, and co-simulation applications and tools.
  • Silicon validation and test equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced understanding of silicon manufacturing processes, photonics development leadership, and automation.
• Optical transceiver silicon and module architecture definition at 200Gbps/lane, 400Gbps/lane.
• Good understanding of MSA standards such as QSFP/QSFP-DD and IEEE 802.3 ethernet specifications.
• Strong communication, global team management, and executive presence.

Who You Are

• Experienced large-team leader who can motivate members to successful outcomes.
• Expert in mixed-signal/analog electronics and silicon photonics with a proven track record of timely delivery and first-pass success.
• Advocate for AI tools, with a history of driving adoption to accelerate development and improve productivity.
• Skilled collaborator and mentor, committed to building high-performing, innovative teams.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era. We innovate fearlessly to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across physical and digital worlds. Our solutions provide unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. With a worldwide network of experts, we collaborate with empathy to make a global impact.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $220,900.00 to $291,500.00 for new hires 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 specific locations is listed below:

• New York City Metro Area: $233,900.00 - $380,000.00
• Non-Metro New York State & Washington State: $220,900.00 - $344,300.00

For quota-based sales roles, the ranges include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

Benefits

• 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.
• Grants of Cisco restricted stock units, vesting over defined periods of continued employment.
• 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: 16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year, accrued at 4.92 hours per pay period.
  • Exempt employees: Flexible vacation time off 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 to volunteer.
• Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco’s policies.
• For sales roles: Performance-based incentive pay split between quota and non-quota components, with no cap on incentive compensation for quota-based pay once performance exceeds 100% attainment.