Principal Hardware Engineer

Join Cisco’s High-Speed Optics team to shape next‑gen optical modules and interfaces. You will translate product needs into robust architectures, contribute to system-level design, and drive simulations and calibration methods that enable efficient manufacturing. You’ll mentor senior engineers and collaborate across global teams to deliver high-impact, scalable solutions. This role offers hands-on influence over cutting-edge technology and a chance to help Cisco stay at the forefront of optical networking.

• Translate product requirements into design and component specifications
• Define system architecture and evaluate enabling technologies (hardware and software)
• Create simulation tools to assess component parameter impacts and calibrate manufacturing processes
• Review manufacturing tests to ensure product alignment with requirements and customer expectations
• Lead early product demonstrations to customers
• Plan and direct advanced, innovative technical projects
• Pursue new technologies for product suitability
• Serve as a domain expert or cross‑domain integrator to connect emerging trends with Cisco products
• Ensure technology strategies deliver long-term business impact
• Stay ahead of evolving tech and industry trends to maintain competitive advantage
• Partner with engineering, product, and business teams to translate vision into scalable solutions
• Mentor and influence senior technical leaders toward architectural consistency and engineering excellence

• Experienced in optical transmission systems and a strong background in communication theory
• Master’s degree in electrical engineering
• Knowledge in optical components and measurement technology and in creating and using simulations tools
• Knowledge in Matlab and Python

• Strong analytical thinking
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Ability to collaborate in international, cross-functional teams
• Optical transmission systems
• Simulation tools and techniques
• Calibration algorithms