Quantum Hardware & Embedded Lead

Cisco Systems, Inc; Santa Monica, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking an Embedded & Controls Engineer to own the electronics and control architecture for deployable quantum networking hardware.

You will work across PCB design, firmware, FPGA, and system integration to deliver robust, manufacturable quantum systems. You will collaborate with photonics, software, systems, and mechanical teams to address ultra-low-noise electronics, sub-nanosecond timing, and reliable remote management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with substantial experience in hardware and embedded systems.
• 3+ years in custom hardware and embedded control systems.
• Experience designing mixed-signal PCBs with processors, microcontrollers, or FPGAs.
• Experience in C/C++ for embedded software/firmware.
• Familiarity with FPGA-based systems, RTL and/or HLS.

Responsibilities

• Architect custom mixed-signal PCBs for precision control and data acquisition in rack-mounted quantum systems.
• Develop embedded software/firmware to control electronics and photonic devices.
• Design high-speed analog/digital signal paths with strict SI, latency, and noise requirements.
• Interface with processors, FPGAs, ADCs/DACs, and telemetry signals.
• Design and tune digital control loops for precision regulation of hardware.
• Create low-noise power distribution and grounding for sensitive quantum hardware.
• Develop system interfaces using Ethernet, UART, SPI, USB, GPIO, and high-speed data converters.
• Define APIs enabling higher-level software to control hardware and telemetry.

Skills

Embedded systems

C/C++ development

FPGA

High-speed electronics

PCB design

Hardware bring-up

Control systems

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

VHDL/Verilog

RTL / HLS

PCB CAD tools

Embedded toolchains

Job description

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking an Embedded & Controls Engineer to own the electronics and control architecture for deployable quantum networking hardware.

You will work across PCB design, firmware, FPGA, and system integration to deliver robust, manufacturable quantum systems. You will collaborate with photonics, software, systems, and mechanical teams to address ultra-low-noise electronics, sub-nanosecond timing, and reliable remote management.