Senior Hardware Validation Engineer – High‑Speed Networking

Cisco Systems, Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. in San Jose, CA is seeking a Senior Hardware Validation Engineer to lead electrical design validation and PHY qualification for next‑generation enterprise switches. You will own end‑to‑end test architectures, leverage automation, and collaborate across teams to ensure product quality.

The role emphasizes hands‑on testing with RF/mixed‑signal equipment, Python scripting, and mentoring junior engineers while establishing scalable test frameworks for mass production releases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering; 7+ years experience or MS EE/CE with 5+ years.
• Prior experience in the field of networking hardware validation/testing.
• Hands‑on experience with electrical and optical test equipment (Oscilloscopes, Power meters, Signal generators, VNA, Thermal chambers).
• Prior experience with L2/L3 routing and switching, OSI Model, and LAN/WAN topologies.
• Prior experience with Python for test automation.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design validation and PHY qualification for next‑generation enterprise/industrial switches.
• Design and execute end‑to‑end test architectures across board components and PHY systems.
• Debug root‑cause issues and ensure compliance with industry standards for mass production releases.
• Mentor junior engineers and establish scalable test frameworks across the organization.

Skills

Python for test automation

L2/L3 routing and switching

OSI Model & LAN/WAN topologies

Networking hardware validation/testing

Experience with electrical and optical

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

MS EE/CE

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Power meters

Signal generators

VNA (Vector Network Analyzers)

Thermal chambers

Ixia/Spirent traffic generators

Job description

Cisco Systems, Inc. in San Jose, CA is seeking a Senior Hardware Validation Engineer to lead electrical design validation and PHY qualification for next‑generation enterprise switches. You will own end‑to‑end test architectures, leverage automation, and collaborate across teams to ensure product quality.

The role emphasizes hands‑on testing with RF/mixed‑signal equipment, Python scripting, and mentoring junior engineers while establishing scalable test frameworks for mass production releases.