Analog/mixed-signal IC Design Engineer - Acacia (Hybrid)

Job Title

Analog/mixed-signal IC Design Engineer - Acacia (Hybrid)

Role Summary

Member of the Acacia mixed-signal IC design team developing high-speed analog circuits for optical transceivers used in data center and long-haul networks. Work spans design, layout, measurement and productization of ultra-deep sub-micron CMOS analog blocks.

This is a hybrid role requiring three days per week in the San Jose, CA office.

Experience Level

Mid-level (typically 3–7 years of relevant experience). See Education Requirements for Cisco's degree-based minimums.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Design, simulate, layout, characterize, and productize high-speed (>25 Gb/s) analog/mixed-signal IC blocks.
• Lead block-level efforts on complex chips, track deliverables, and conduct peer reviews.
• Collaborate with RF, digital/DSP, system, package and module teams to meet signal and power integrity specifications.
• Develop test plans, support laboratory validation and measurements, and troubleshoot prototypes.
• Ensure designs meet manufacturability and production requirements across PVT corners.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience:

• Hands-on experience designing, simulating, and measuring high-speed ICs in at least two areas such as high-speed serial links (SERDES), high-performance output drivers, phase-locked loops (PLLs), clock distribution/propagation, op-amps/programmable gain amplifiers, or equalization techniques.
• Experience with analog/mixed-signal design for ultra-deep sub-micron CMOS processes and ability to productize designs.
• Proven ability to lead design blocks, meet schedules, and participate in peer reviews.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently and in teams.
• Willingness to work on-site three days per week in San Jose, CA.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with electrical transceiver applications (backplane/cable) and FinFET/GAA technologies.
• High-frequency layout experience, including floorplanning, passive components, and transmission lines.
• Design-for-manufacturability experience: PVT characterization, electromigration, self-heating, and IR drop analysis.
• Laboratory validation experience, ESD practices, and construction of test setups.
• Familiarity with Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre/APS/SpectreX, Calibre, EMX, AMS simulation flows, and MATLAB.

Education Requirements

The posting specifies degree-based minimums: Bachelor's + 6 years related experience, Master's + 4 years, or PhD + 1 year. Equivalent practical experience is allowed. The posting does not specify particular fields of study or certifications.

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).