Hardware Engineer PhD (Intern) - United States

Cisco; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with Cisco matching

Paid parental leave

Disability and life insurance

Stock grants or RSUs

Bonuses for non-sales roles

Job summary

Cisco is seeking an internship candidate to assist with the design and validation of a server sub‑system within the Common Hardware Group. You will work on independent tasks, participate in cross‑functional meetings, and help create functional specs and technical documentation.

The role emphasizes hardware engineering, test scripting in Python, and collaboration across teams. Ideal for a PhD student continuing enrollment, with exposure to lab equipment and design tools like Cadence Concept and

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program.
• Qualifying education should be in Hardware Engineering or a related field.
• Expected to continue enrollment in degree program following completion of the internship.
• Experience creating test scripts in Python.
• Experience collaborating with cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the design and validation of a server sub-system.
• Ensure design meets functional specs.
• Work independently on assigned tasks.
• Participate in cross‑functional meetings and teams.
• Participate in creating functional specifications and technical documentation.

Skills

Python scripting

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

PhD program enrollment

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic Analyzers

Spectrum Analyzers

Cadence Concept

Allegro

Job description

Please note this posting is to advertise potential job opportunities. This exact role may not be open today but could open in the near future. When you apply, a Cisco representative may contact you directly if a relevant position opens. Applications accepted until further notice.

Meet the Team

The Common Hardware Group (CHG) creates innovative hardware platforms central to the AI era, powering Cisco’s core Switching, Routing, and Wireless products for organizations globally. Our innovations in silicon, optics, and hardware platforms—like Silicon One—are shaping the technology industry. We're a global team of creative experts, bringing our unique backgrounds and bold ideas to push boundaries and help each other grow. Because full product development—from design to qualification to production—is within our team, we’re able to think differently, experiment more, and work quickly. Join us to power the future of the digital world.

Your Impact

Assist with the design and validation of a server sub-system. Ensure design meets functional specs. Work independently on assigned tasks. Participate as a valuable team member to deliver quality products on time. Participate in cross‑functional meetings and teams. Participate in creating functional specifications and technical documentation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program.
• Qualifying education should be in Hardware Engineering or a related field.
• Expected to continue enrollment in degree program following completion of the internship.
• Experience creating test scripts in Python.
• Experience collaborating with cross‑functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in hardware validation using lab equipment such as Oscilloscopes, Logic Analyzers, and Spectrum Analyzers.
• Familiarity with design tools such as Cadence Concept and Allegro.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

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:

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: $44,000.00 - $185,000.00 Non‑Metro New York state & Washington state: $44,000.00 - $185,000.00 * 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.

Cisconians power the future. We make impact as a team, innovating fast and fearlessly to create meaningful solutions on a large scale. The depth and breadth of our technology doesn't just benefit our customers – it also means limitless opportunities for us to experiment and learn. We understand the power each of our unique backgrounds bring when we work together. Because of that, we have a global network of thinkers, doers, experts, and curious creators who help one another do their life’s best work.