Hardware Engineer

Cisco•San Jose, CA

8d•$154,900 - $225,300

About The Position

The Firewall Hardware Team at Cisco is responsible for designing and developing high-performance, secure firewall hardware platforms that protect enterprise, data center, and cloud networks from evolving cyber threats. This team focuses on creating advanced hardware solutions, including FPGA-based crypto accelerators and network processing units, to deliver exceptional throughput, low latency, and robust security features. As a Senior Hardware Design Engineer, you will serve as a technical lead for the development of Cisco’s next-generation security hardware appliances. You will own the end-to-end hardware development lifecycle, from architectural definition to mass production. This role requires a high degree of autonomy, technical leadership, and the ability to drive innovation within a fast-paced environment. You will act as a subject matter expert, mentoring junior engineers and collaborating across global cross-functional teams to deliver carrier-grade products.

Requirements

4+ years of experience with a Masters’ degree or 7+ years of experience with a Bachelors’ degree. Experience expected to be in hardware design.
Experience taking complex hardware products from concept to production.
Experience with industry-standard design suites, such as Cadence Allegro/Concept, Mentor Graphics Xpedition, etc.

Nice To Haves

Deep proficiency in board design leveraging x86, ARM, and high-performance FPGA/SoC architectures.
Expert-level knowledge of high-speed interface bus design (PCIe Gen 4/5, DDR5, PAM4) and high-speed Ethernet (100G/400G).
Demonstrated expertise in designing robust power delivery networks (PDN). Proficiency in selecting and implementing DC-DC converters, LDOs, and managing power sequencing for high-current, low-voltage processors, FPGAs, and ASICs.
Advanced capability in modeling and mitigating signal integrity and power distribution challenges in dense, high-speed systems.
Strong understanding of RTL design (Verilog/System-Verilog) and its interaction with hardware/BIOS.
Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead the hardware development lifecycle for complex, high-performance security appliances, ensuring alignment with product roadmaps and architectural standards.
Architect and drive the creation of complex circuit designs, schematics, and PCB layouts, ensuring optimal performance, signal integrity, and manufacturability.
Define and execute comprehensive design verification and validation (DVT) strategies, ensuring adherence to rigorous regulatory and performance specifications.
Serve as the primary technical authority for complex root cause analysis of hardware issues, including signal integrity, power distribution, and mechanical integration.
Act as a key technical liaison between hardware, software, BIOS, and manufacturing teams. Provide expert guidance to resolve cross-functional bottlenecks.
Drive continuous improvement in design methodologies, maintain high-quality technical documentation, and conduct rigorous design reviews to mitigate risk.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineering staff, fostering a culture of innovation and engineering excellence.
Integrate AI-driven design, simulation, and diagnostic tools to streamline design cycles, enhance predictive quality analysis, and improve overall operational efficiency.