Director, Hardware Engineering (Client Optics Group)

Cisco • Carlsbad, CA

5d • $216,500 - $374,100

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

• 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 the following disciplines: Mixed signal/analog electronics: Drivers, TIAs, ADCs, TX/RX Equalizers, CDRs, etc.
• Digital signal processors (DSP)
• Optical / Photonic ICs or similar: Modulators, Photo Detectors, Grating Couplers, Waveguides, etc.
• High-speed SERDES- 112Gbps, 224Gbps, 448Gbps PAM4/PAM6
• Signal & power integrity, channel modeling
• Advanced packaging including fine-pitch and low-parasitic chip-chip interconnect
• PLL / clock domains and distribution
• Power distribution
• Silicon diagnostics, test coverage, and DFT
• Electrical, optical, and co-simulation applications and tools
• 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
• Cisco restricted stock units
• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year
• 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
• 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year (non-exempt)
• flexible vacation time off program (exempt)
• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
• 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
• performance-based incentive pay

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director