Photonic Test Engineer

Cisco Systems, Inc; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 190,000 - 312,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc is seeking a Photonic Test Engineer to design, develop and support photonic tests for silicon photonics components and co-packaged optics. The role emphasizes test processes, FA, data analytics, and cross-functional collaboration across hardware and software teams.

The position is onsite at the Carlsbad, CA office, with occasional international travel and a focus on automating test sequences to reduce cycle time and operator intervention.

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 08/31/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This is an onsite role and will require working out of our Carlsbad, CA office location.

Meet the Team

As a Photonic Test Engineer, you will play a critical role in developing/supporting the next generation component and packaging platform for Cisco's Silicon Photonics Integrated Circuits and chipsets. As a key member of the platform development team that is responsible for developing photonic components, tools and processes, you’ll devise, develop and execute engineering-test processes supporting novel optical components to be used in Cisco’s silicon photonics product offerings.

Your Impact

• Design, Develop and Support


• Devise, develop, build and perform engineering tests to support Cisco’s silicon photonics co-packaged optics platform.


• Perform failure analysis on optical components and assemblies


• Resolve issues using structured problem-solving methodologies


• Recommend and implement test/assembly/process improvements, including cycle time reduction and automation of system to minimize required operator time and intervention

Diagnostics Development & Lifecycle Management

• Support specialized testing needs to verify performance of new components, processes, and tools from development to production to ensure successful integration of new platform technologies


• Devise and perform complex tests needed during FA as part of development and continuous improvement


• Apply data analytics leveraging AI/ML for proactive problem detection and resolution

Collaboration & Team Development

• Partner with hardware, software, manufacturing teams to ensure alignment and successful program delivery.


• Develop and execute project plans with predictability, quality and velocity.


• Collaborate and travel to assure successful product deployment across a global environment

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors + 7 years of related experience, or Masters + 4 years of related experience, or PhD + 1 year of related experience.


• Experience with photonic test

Preferred Qualifications

• C# and SQL skills highly desired


• Experience in hardware/software automation of photonics assembly/test.


• Data analysis (SQL/JMP) in a semiconductor production environment


• Knowledge of photonics, fiber optics and semiconductor lasers


• Ability to travel internationally occasionally

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.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

The starting salary range posted for this position is $128,200.00 to $162,300.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position 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 certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

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:

• 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, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco


• Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees


• Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)


• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next


• Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members


• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

• .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;


• 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;


• 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and


• Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area: $152,400.00 - $255,100.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state: $134,300.00 - $224,800.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.