Lead Embedded Software Engineer – Optical Transceivers

Cisco; Maynard (MA); On-site; USD 192,000 - 276,000; Full time

Job summary

Acacia (part of Cisco) is seeking a senior software engineer to lead embedded system software for high‑speed coherent transceivers. You will architect and implement complex subsystems and work with ASIC, DSP, and optics teams to enable next‑gen platforms.

You will collaborate with hardware and product teams to ensure smooth bring‑up, debug, and customer discussions, while mentoring junior engineers and driving cross-functional requirements in a telecom environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 12+ years (or Master’s with 8+ years) in electronics/electrical engineering or CS in telecom.
• 10+ years of experience with C++ and C in telecommunications.
• 10+ years of embedded firmware development (control and data path) in telecom.
• Experience with RTOS and embedded CPUs/microcontrollers.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and design of complex optical sub-systems for Acacia SOCs.
• Collaborate with Chip, DSP, and Optics architects to drive product innovation.
• Architect system software, develop algorithms, and participate in bring-up and debug.
• Interface with Hardware, ASIC, Optical, DSP teams and Manufacturing transition.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Embedded firmware

RTOS

Embedded CPUs & microcontrollers

System architecture

Leadership

ARM processors

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electronics/EE/CS

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Git

Perforce

JIRA

Bugzilla

Jira Crucible

Make

Python

UNIX shell

Job description

Acacia (part of Cisco) is seeking a senior software engineer to lead embedded system software for high‑speed coherent transceivers. You will architect and implement complex subsystems and work with ASIC, DSP, and optics teams to enable next‑gen platforms.

You will collaborate with hardware and product teams to ensure smooth bring‑up, debug, and customer discussions, while mentoring junior engineers and driving cross-functional requirements in a telecom environment.