Optical Engineer

Preferred candidates must be onsite in Maynard, MA a minimum of three days per week.

About the team

Join our team at Acacia, where we develop advanced optical transceivers for high-speed fiber optic transmission in data centers and telecommunication networks. We're seeking enthusiastic, experienced individuals to work on the forefront of fiber optic technology. You'll be part of the team developing high-performance optical transceivers with low power consumption. Collaboration with colleagues from the DSP, SW, HW, and PIC teams is key to optimizing performance and power efficiency. You'll contribute to producing high-volume, high-yield products.

Responsibilities

• Bring-up and optimization of each new coherent transceiver design, including optimization of operating conditions of optical and electrical components.
• Provide guidance and test results for the development of integrated optics, high-speed electronics, and DSP to maximize performance and minimize size and power consumption of Cisco’s coherent optical transceivers.
• Design verification testing (DVT) of coherent transceivers to ensure optical specifications are met over operating conditions (temperature, power levels, etc.).
• Development of calibration and test procedures to ensure consistent high transceiver performance over a wide range of operating conditions (temperature, production variation, aging, power levels, etc.).
• Work with the operations team to bring these calibration procedures and production tests into high-volume manufacturing in a fast, reliable, and cost-effective way.
• Work with the operations team to maximize product yield through good calibration and production test procedures.
• Debug transceivers, both during bring-up and volume manufacturing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree with 8+ years of experience, or Master’s degree with 5+ years of experience, or PhD in a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of coherent optical communications and DSP optimization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of photonics integrated circuits and their controls for coherent optical transmission.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of test automation, ideally with Python.
• Knowledge of high-speed RF electronics and ADC/DAC.

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.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $136,500.00 to $198,500 in the U.S. and/or Canada, 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. Below are the full salary ranges for specific locations:

• New York City Metro Area: $154,900.00 - $259,100.00
• Non-Metro New York State & Washington State: $136,500.00 - $228,300.00

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 a Cisco matching contribution.
• Paid parental leave, short- and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance.
• Restricted stock units (RSUs) that vest following continued employment.
• Paid time off:
  • 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 time 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 of unused sick time carried forward.
  • 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.