Technical Leader- Quantum Networking Hardware Engineer

Cisco•Santa Monica, CA

3d•$163,600 - $303,100

About The Position

The Outshift by Cisco team is one of Cisco’s most visible innovation organizations, driving the next generation of transformative technologies and business opportunities. As part of the Strategy, Incubation & Applications group led by Cisco’s Chief Strategy Officer, you will collaborate with some of the company’s most forward-thinking researchers, engineers, and technology leaders. Within the Outshift Quantum Research team and Quantum Labs, we are pioneering the design and development of practical, scalable, and efficient quantum networking technologies — foundational building blocks for the future Quantum Internet. Our multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers is dedicated to advancing the state of the art in quantum networking, distributed quantum systems, and quantum-enabled applications. Cisco Quantum Research is seeking a highly skilled Scientist or Engineer with an experimental background to join our Quantum Experimental Team. You will collaborate with a dynamic group of scientists and engineers to develop cutting-edge quantum networking solutions. The role will involve both scientific research and the prototype development of Cisco's quantum networking technologies, solutions, and testbeds.

Requirements

PhD in Physics, Optics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or related fields.
2+ years of experience in quantum communication or quantum optics post-PhD.
3+ years of experience in experimental research in quantum or classical optical communication.
Educational and/or professional experience with quantum information concepts.
Experience leading research projects and/or publishing research papers on top journals and conferences.

Nice To Haves

Research track record in quantum computing and/or quantum networking.
Research experience with integrated quantum photonics;
Research experience with quantum light-matter interaction;
Research experience with entanglement swapping between independent nodes;
Research experience related to quantum memory and transduction.
Knowledge of standard optical telecommunication architecture.
Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

Conduct competitive industry and academic research and development in quantum networking.
Work with engineers, and scientists in defining, designing and executing the R&D prototype development plan.
Contribute to Cisco’s vision in quantum networking, encompassing quantum hardware, software, applications, and use cases.
Have a proven grasp on overall landscape for quantum network technologies and develop a clear strategy around how to elevate competitive differentiators.
Contributes to the creation of novel technologies, use case demonstrations, in addition to defining a technology roadmap that elevates the competitive differentiators at every stage. Define value prop and return on investment at each stage.
Collaborate with the marketing team in identifying key collateral documents, data sheets, value props, presentation decks, ROI calculators, demo.
Collaborate with the product team in tech transferring prototype demonstrations into possible products.
Propose novel quantum solutions to address grand challenges in dynamic quantum entanglement networking with specific focus on quantum entanglement sources, quantum switches and transduction.
Lead and participate in multiple R&D projects.
Develop prototype quantum networking systems and subsystems, conducting both table-top and on-site tests.
Contribute to the development of the continuously expanding Cisco Live quantum network testbed.
Lead use case and application demonstrations in the Cisco Quantum network testbed.
Collaborate with cross-functional product teams to translate prototypes into commercially viable products.
Analyze and interpret experimental results, proposing solutions for improvement.
Write peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, and present research results at conferences.
Contribute to lab and team development.
Supervise postdocs and PhD interns.

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
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 (non-exempt)
flexible vacation time off program (exempt)
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 (for non-sales roles)
performance-based incentive pay (for sales roles)