Analog/Mixed-Signal IC Design Engineer — Acacia (Hybrid)
Cisco SystemsJob Title
Analog/Mixed-Signal IC Design Engineer — Acacia (Hybrid)
Role Summary
Design, simulate, layout, measure and productize high-speed analog/mixed-signal CMOS IC blocks for optical transceivers (100G–1.6T+). Work within a small mixed-signal IC design team and collaborate with digital/DSP, systems, package, and module teams. This is a hybrid role requiring three days per week in the San Jose, CA office.
Experience Level
Senior level. Typical experience expectations: candidates will meet senior-level experience (examples: ~8+ years with a Bachelor's, ~6+ years with a Master's, ~3+ years with a PhD). See Education Requirements for degree-to-experience combinations.
Responsibilities
Primary technical and team responsibilities.
- Architect, design, and verify high-speed AMS circuits (serial links, drivers, PLLs, clocking, opamps/PGAs, equalizers).
- Perform schematic-level and mixed-signal simulations; develop models for system link simulations.
- Execute layout for high-frequency blocks, ensuring power/ground integrity and signal isolation across analog/digital domains.
- Lead a large block on complex SoCs: set technical direction, track deliverables, and participate in design reviews.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to team design methodology from concept through production release.
- Collaborate with packaging and hardware teams to meet signal and power integrity targets.
- Plan and support lab validation and production characterization activities.
Requirements
Must-have and preferred technical skills. Degree and formal education details are listed under Education Requirements.
- Must-have: Several years of hands-on experience designing, simulating, and measuring high-speed ICs in multiple areas such as serializers/deserializers, data converters, high-performance output drivers, PLLs, clock distribution, opamps/PGAs, and equalization techniques.
- Strong mixed-signal verification and modeling skills for link/system-level simulations.
- Experience with high-frequency layout practices and floorplanning for mixed-signal designs.
- Proven ability to lead complex analog/mixed-signal projects and mentor team members.
- Nice-to-have: Experience with transceiver applications (backplane/cable), FinFET/GAA technologies, DfM practices (PVT characterization, EM analysis, self-heating, IR drop), lab validation and ESD methodology, and familiarity with Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre/APS/SpectreX, Calibre, EMX, AMS simulations, and MATLAB.
Education Requirements
Minimum combinations specified: Bachelor's degree + 8 years related experience, Master's degree + 6 years related experience, or PhD + 3 years related experience. (Equivalent practical experience may be considered per employer policy.)
About the Company
Company: Cisco Systems
Headquarters: San Jose, CA, United States
Cisco Systems is a global technology company that designs and sells networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, software, and services. It provides enterprise and service-provider networking, security, collaboration, and optical communications solutions (including Acacia Communications technologies for high-speed optical interconnects).
