Director, Engineering

Cisco•Carlsbad, CA

About The Position

The Director will be responsible for setting up and leading a high-performance engineering design team in the US & India for Cisco’s Client Optics Group (COG) and driving the end-to-end execution of optical transceiver development for COG’s silicon-photonics–based transceiver chipsets and modules. Key responsibilities include architecture, development, simulation, diagnostics, bring-up, and validation of electronics IC (EIC) paired with silicon photonics ICs (PICs). A significant new focus for this role is the deployment of AI tools, when possible, to enhance productivity, quality, and development cycle times.

Requirements

Experienced large-team leader who can motivate its members to successful outcomes.
Expert in the development of mixed-signal/analog electronics and silicon photonics with a proven track record of timely delivery and first-pass success.
Advocate for AI tools, with a history of driving adoption to accelerate development and improve productivity.
Skilled collaborator and mentor, committed to building high-performing, innovative teams.
15+ years high-speed electronics and experience including management of global teams.
Advanced degree (Master’s/PhD) in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field work experience with a focus on semiconductor and/or optics development.
Extensive experience in Mixed signal/analog electronics: Drivers, TIAs, ADCs, TX/RX Equalizers, CDRs, etc.
Extensive experience in Digital signal processors (DSP)
Extensive experience in Optical / Photonic ICs or similar: Modulators, Photo Detectors, Grating Couplers, Waveguides, etc.
Extensive experience in High-speed SERDES- 112Gbps, 224Gbps, 448Gbps PAM4/PAM6
Extensive experience in Signal & power integrity, channel modeling
Extensive experience in Advanced packaging including fine-pitch and low-parasitic chip-chip interconnect
Extensive experience in PLL / clock domains and distribution
Extensive experience in Power distribution
Extensive experience in Silicon diagnostics, test coverage, and DFT
Extensive experience in Electrical, optical, and co-simulation applications and tools
Extensive experience in Silicon validation and test equipment

Nice To Haves

Advanced understanding of silicon manufacturing processes, photonics development leadership and automation
Optical transceiver silicon and module architecture definition at 200Gbps/lane, 400Gbps/lane
Good understanding of MSA standards such as QSFP/QSFP-DD and IEEE 802.3 ethernet specifications.
Strong communication, global team management, and executive presence.

Responsibilities

Evaluating Marketing Requirements Documents (MRDs) and providing timely responses as to the approach, timeline, and feasibility for new product concepts.
Significant participation in Cisco’s product lifecycle (PLC) process including Concept Commits (CCs), Engineering Commits (ECs) and other important PLC milestones.
Working with the COG Program Management Team to develop and maintain accurate, detailed, and comprehensive program schedules and resource plans.
Drive adoption of AI tools to enhance productivity, quality, and development speed.
Oversee the design, development, delivery, and documentation of electronics ICs, and chipsets by working directly with the various team leaders to guarantee execution with predictability, velocity and quality.
Ensure the Analog Design team is following best engineering practices in the development, custom layout, simulation, validation/characterization, & documentation of the optical transceiver designs being developed.
Apply analytics and AI/ML to stimulate edge cases, optimize test strategies, and improve test coverage, usability, debug capabilities, and fault isolation.
Partner with the cross functional teams like digital design, SI/PI, layout, Silicon characterization, Product Management, and Operations teams to ensure multi-functional alignment and successful program delivery.
Foster a collaborative, innovative, accountable, and inclusive culture, promoting guidelines and knowledge sharing across global teams.
Mentor and develop high-performing teams, emphasizing continuous learning in silicon development and effective use of AI-assisted development tools.

Benefits

medical, dental and vision insurance
a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
paid parental leave
short and long-term disability coverage
basic life insurance
grants of Cisco restricted stock units
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
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
annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies (for non-sales roles)
performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary (for sales plans)