Hardware Test Engineer

Cisco•Carlsbad, CA

22h

About The Position

The Common Hardware Group (CHG) delivers the silicon, optics, and hardware platforms for Cisco's core Switching, Routing, and Wireless products. We design the networking hardware for Enterprises and Service Providers of various sizes, the Public Sector, and Non-Profit Organizations across the world. Cisco Silicon One is the only unifying silicon architecture in the market that enables customers to deploy the best-of-breed silicon from Top of Rack (TOR) switches all the way through web scale data centers and across service provider, enterprise networks, and data centers with a fully unified routing and switching portfolio. Come join us and take part in shaping Cisco's ground-breaking solutions by designing, developing and testing some of the most complex Silicon Photonics being developed in the industry. Step into the driver's seat of global connectivity and put your mark on technology powering the world’s network infrastructure. As a Hardware Test Engineer at Cisco, you won’t just run tests—you will directly shape the reliability, automation, and performance of next-generation hardware before it reaches the hands of millions. Working alongside world-class senior design and manufacturing engineers, you’ll own critical test features, optimize process automation, and perform hands-on failure analysis on cutting-edge platforms. This is your chance to solve high-stakes engineering puzzles, influence hardware design reviews, and accelerate your career at the forefront of tech innovation. Don't miss the opportunity to build the resilient, next-gen hardware that defines tomorrow.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field, plus 1 year of related experience (internship, co-op, or full-time), or Master's degree with 0 years of related experience.
Hands-on experience testing, debugging, or troubleshooting electronic or optical hardware.
Basic knowledge of test and measurement tools and root-cause analysis methods, gained through coursework, internship, or entry-level work experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience with PCB design/layout tools such as OrCAD or Cadence Allegro.
Exposure to fiber optics, photonics, or optical component testing.
Familiarity with scripting or data analysis tools (e.g., SQL, Python, JMP) for test data analysis.
Experience supporting test automation to reduce operator intervention in manufacturing test flows.
Willingness to travel occasionally to support cross-site collaboration.

Responsibilities

Assist with devising and executing tests for hardware platforms, drive process improvements and automation to reduce cycle times, and support failure analysis for root-cause determination under senior guidance.
Execute system-level unit, integration, and protocol tests to ensure compliance with Cisco and industry quality standards, while tracking bugs and analyzing test data.
Cross-collaborate with hardware, software, and manufacturing teams throughout the feature lifecycle, participate in design and schematic reviews, and share technical knowledge to resolve complex problems.

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, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
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
performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary