Hardware Engineering Technical Leader

Cisco; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco is seeking an experienced Interconnect Engineer to drive the development of next-generation interconnect components. The role requires expertise in electromechanical and connector design, emphasizing product quality and performance.

Key responsibilities include evaluating interconnect components, leading cross-functional teams, and mentoring junior engineers. A BSME/BSEE degree with 8+ years in product development is required, alongside strong mechanical and electrical design skills.

Join Cisco and contribute to shaping the future of technology!

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience bringing new products to market.
• Hands-on experience with PCB attach technologies.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams to resolve performance issues.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and qualify interconnect components optimizing signal integrity.
• Lead cross-functional teams to qualify connectors and interconnect components.
• Manage vendor relationships and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

Interconnect and connector technologies

Mechanical and electrical design principles

Program management skills

Signal Integrity fundamentals

Education

BSME/BSEE or equivalent

Job description

You'll be part of the Component Quality & Technology (CQT) within the Global Supplier Management (GSM) organization. CQT is a key hub of technical innovation in Cisco. Members of the organization focus on evaluating and developing new technologies to enable sustained product differentiation. You will be a part of a diverse team that seamlessly blends different levels of expertise in several areas of semiconductor and systems design combining traditional knowledge with groundbreaking data analytics techniques to tackle increasingly sophisticated problems. You will regularly engage with Cisco Business Units as your partners and customers, Suppliers of the commodity space you are managing and extended Supply Chain functions including Global Supply Management, Product Operations and Global Manufacturing Organization.

Your Impact

We are seeking a highly motivated Interconnect engineer with a strong background in electromechanical and connector design, eager to become an expert in the multidisciplinary aspects of bringing next-generation interconnect components from concept to production. The ideal candidate is passionate about problem-solving and continuous improvement, with an unwavering commitment to product quality and the ability to deliver advanced high-speed interconnect solutions for Cisco products. They bring a "can-do" attitude, independent thinking, and strong leadership presence — able to communicate complex technical issues clearly across all leadership levels in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Hands‑on experience in connector design and system‑level integration is essential for developing and optimizing connectivity pathways in modern electronic systems.

In this role, you will leverage your design expertise to evaluate and qualify sophisticated interconnect components that optimize signal integrity, mechanical robustness, reliability, and overall system performance, while complying with industry standards and regulatory requirements. You will lead cross‑functional teams to evaluate, down‑select, and qualify connectors and interconnect components, partnering closely with suppliers to predict and validate interconnect behavior from concept through NPI. Your deep understanding of materials, plating, and fabrication processes will ensure components are technically sound, reliable, and cost‑effective. You will also manage vendor relationships, mentor junior engineers, and drive continuous improvement and excellence throughout the product lifecycle.

Your role will be pivotal in bringing the next generation of high‑speed architectures to market through expert component engineering and strong program leadership. Your ability to innovate and adapt to the evolving landscape of electronic design will be an asset to Cisco as we continue to sharpen our competitive edge. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Join us in shaping the future of technology.

Minimum Qualifications

• BSME/BSEE or equivalent with typically 8+ years of experience bringing new products to market.
• Hands‑on experience with interconnect and connector technologies at the application and component level, including fundamentals of associated PCB attach technologies.
• Demonstrated effectiveness leading cross‑functional teams of internal and external stakeholders to address and resolve performance and quality issues within large, complex programs — including mentoring junior engineers and effectively managing expectations with senior leadership and management teams.
• Proficient in mechanical and electrical design principles, including tolerance analysis, fabrication methods, materials selection, plating, validation testing, and familiarity with Signal Integrity (SI) fundamentals.
• Strong program management and leadership skills, with a track record of collaborating with leaders to identify business needs, align priorities, and achieve strategic objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with system‑level design of networking equipment and the ability to decompose system requirements into interconnect-level specifications.
• Familiarity with thermal management and liquid cooling considerations (e.g., coolant cables, cold‑plate, leak detection, thermal interface materials (TIM), active cooling connectors).
• Experience managing supplier relationships and implementing rigorous quality control measures to ensure product standards and reliability are consistently met.
• Breadth across key areas of the interconnect commodity space — Mechanical Engineering, Signal Integrity, Test, Failure Analysis, Manufacturing, and PCB/PCBA fabrication and connector assembly techniques — or deep specialist expertise in connector design and qualification.
• Competency in SPC, FMEA, 8D / Corrective Action, Cause‑and‑Effect Analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), and risk assessment.
• Experience with high‑speed cable assemblies and their applications is a plus.
• Prior manufacturing‑facing experience is a plus.