Optical Hardware Systems Test Engineer

020 Cisco Systems, Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 168,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. seeks an Optical Hardware Systems Test Engineer to validate next-generation networking platforms, including switches, routers, and data center systems.

You will lead lab bring-up and validation of ultra-high-speed silicon with advanced optics, ensuring quality and performance through rigorous testing. You will develop Python/C/C++ test scripts to automate equipment control, measure BER, eye quality, and margins, and collaborate with cross-functional teams from silicon

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical engineering, Photonics, Computer Engineering, or related technical field.
• Hands-on lab bring-up, system-level validation, and hardware testing of high-speed networking systems or electro-optic hardware.
• Strong understanding of optical transceivers, optical link budgets, high-speed SerDes (56G/112G+ PAM4), and BER testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on testing, validation, and bring-up of next-generation networking systems with ultra-high-speed silicon and optics.
• Develop and maintain Python, C/C++ test automation scripts to control lab equipment and automate workflows.
• Measure eye quality, BER, and link margins for high-speed optical links.
• Debug hardware, signal integrity, and optical link issues during prototype bring-up and system validation.
• Collaborate with ASIC architecture, SI, board design, software/diagnostics, and manufacturing teams from bring-up to production.

Skills

Lab bring-up

System-level validation

Hardware testing

High-speed SerDes (56G/112G+ PAM4)

Optical transceivers

BER testing

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical engineering, Photonics, Computer Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

VNA

TDR

Sampling scopes

BERTs

Optical power meters

Spectrum analyzers

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 10/01/2026 Meet the Team Cisco ASIC Engineers develop and work with Next Generation Technology to build Cisco ASIC products keeping in mind the user experience and in accordance with IEEE standards, and industry procedures. ASIC Engineers serve a range of roles at Cisco from IP Creators and architects creating industry standards, to Solution Integrators driving multi-functional teams to go from concept to production, as well as providing expertise in Solution Verification and ensuring that our products meet Cisco and Industry quality standards. They drive innovation across the large CISCO portfolio, including but not limited to System/Board Design, Circuit Board Layout, Hardware Automation, Validation and Test, Signal Integrity and Power Design. They work multi-functionally with system designers, diagnostics engineers, customer escalation engineers, & external vendors to ensure robust test methodology & timely issue mitigation resulting in high product quality and enable next generation solutions. They drive innovation across Cisco's hardware portfolio and enable next generation solutions through IP development, research, and challenging the status quo within the industry (finding ways to optimize cost, performance, and quality). Your Impact Cisco Systems is seeking an Optical Hardware Systems Test Engineer to validate and ensure the quality of next-generation networking platforms, including switches, routers, and data center systems.

What You'll Do

In this high impact role, you will be hands-on in the lab leading the testing, validation, and bring-up of next-generation networking systems integrating ultra-high-speed silicon and advanced optics. You will play a pivotal role in validating ground breaking 112G/224G PAM4 SerDes channels, high-density Data Center Interconnects (DCI), and emerging Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) architectures. Lead hands-on bring-up, validation, and characterization of Silicon One ASICs integrated with high-speed optical transceivers and emerging Co-Packaged / Near-Packaged Optics (CPO/NPO) engines. Measure and characterize high-speed electro-optic channels across 112G/224G PAM4 SerDes and optical links, evaluating eye quality, bit error rate (BER), and link margins. Develop and maintain Python, C/C++ or similar language test automation scripts and programs to control high-speed lab equipment (oscilloscopes, BERTs, optical spectrum analyzers, power meters) and automate test workflows. Perform system stress testing across temperature, voltage, and traffic corners to ensure link stability and operating margins under full system loads. Debug and root-cause sophisticated hardware, signal integrity, and optical link issues during prototype bring-up and system validation. Partner multi-functionally with ASIC architecture, signal integrity, board design, software/diagnostics, and manufacturing teams from early silicon bring-up through production release.

Who You Are

You are a curious, dedicated hardware engineer who thrives in a lab environment. You enjoy solving challenging system-level problems and bridging the gap between high-speed silicon and optical interconnects.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical engineering, Photonics, Computer Engineering, or related technical field with 7+ years of relevant industry experience (or Master's with 4+ years, PhD with 1+ years). Hands-on experience in lab bring-up, system-level validation, and hardware testing of high-speed networking systems or electro-optic hardware. Strong understanding of optical transceivers, optical link budgets, high-speed SerDes (56G/112G+ PAM4), and bit error rate testing. Experience using standard lab instrumentation (VNAs, TDR, sampling scopes, BERTs, optical power meters, spectrum analyzers).

Preferred Qualifications:

Familiarity with Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), Near-Packaged Optics (NPO), or Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO). Deep Expertise with high-speed interfaces, Ethernet standards (IEEE 802.3 400G/800G), PCIe and optical transceiver management interfaces. Experience with thermal characterization of high-power silicon using liquid cooling plates, thermal chambers, or automated handlers. Prior experience with Cisco Silicon One or high-performance data center switching architectures. Proficiency in Python scripting for lab test automation, instrument control, and data analysis. Analytical Tools: Experience with JMP, Tableau, Python based AI/ML models for advanced analytics. Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and multi-functional communication skills.

SiOps 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 $167,700.00 to $245,200.00 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.

Benefits and Compensation:

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.

Salary Ranges by State:

New York City Metro Area: $167,700.00 - $282,000.00 Non-Metro New York state & Washington state: $149,100.00 - $250,900.00 * 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.

Company Culture and Vision:

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… (the rest truncated)