Quantum Hardware Lead: Embedded & Controls Engineer

Cisco Systems, Inc.; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking an embedded & controls engineer to help develop the next generation of deployable quantum networking hardware in Santa Monica.

You will own electronics and control architecture, connecting custom PCB, FPGA, firmware, and software to Cisco's orchestration platforms. Collaborate with photonics, software, systems, mechanical, and optical teams to turn lab prototypes into manufacturable, field-ready rack-mounted systems with ultra-low-noise electronics and sub-ns

Qualifications

• Experience designing hardware and embedded control systems.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded environments.
• Background in mixed-signal PCB design and high-speed signal integrity.

Responsibilities

• Architect custom mixed-signal PCBs for precision control in rack systems.
• Develop embedded software and firmware to control electronics and photonics.
• Design high-speed signal paths with strict timing and noise requirements.
• Interface with processors, FPGAs, ADCs, DACs, and telemetry signals.
• Lead hardware bring-up and debug across electronics, firmware, and FPGA.
• Create hardware, firmware, and system-level test plans and drive improvements.

Skills

Embedded systems development

C/C++ programming

FPGA design

RTL / High-Level Synthesis (HLS)

Mixed-signal PCB design

Firmware development

Hardware bring-up & debug

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Master's degree or PhD in related field

Tools

FPGA tools

RTL tooling

HDL languages

Job description

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking an embedded & controls engineer to help develop the next generation of deployable quantum networking hardware in Santa Monica.

You will own electronics and control architecture, connecting custom PCB, FPGA, firmware, and software to Cisco's orchestration platforms. Collaborate with photonics, software, systems, mechanical, and optical teams to turn lab prototypes into manufacturable, field-ready rack-mounted systems with ultra-low-noise electronics and sub-ns