Component Engineer - Semiconductor Devices
Cisco SystemsJob Title
Component Engineer - Semiconductor Devices
Role Summary
Work on Cisco's Component Quality and Technology team to select, test, qualify, and support semiconductor components (ASICs, NPUs, CPUs, switches, FPGAs, PHYs, retimers) used in high-speed networking products. Collaborate with design, manufacturing, operations, quality engineering, and vendors to resolve component and system issues.
Primary missions: component selection and qualification, failure analysis and corrective action, risk mitigation, and vendor roadmap influence to meet product requirements.
Experience Level
Mid-level. Minimum 2+ years of relevant industry experience required; 4+ years preferred.
Responsibilities
Core responsibilities include technical evaluation, qualification, and investigation across component lifecycle.
- Select, test, and qualify semiconductor components to meet product specifications and reliability targets.
- Lead failure investigations and end-to-end root cause analysis with vendors; define and verify corrective and preventive actions (8D, RCCA).
- Perform and oversee characterization, reliability, and qualification testing; interpret results and report findings.
- Collaborate in design reviews, risk assessments, and cross-functional reviews to drive mitigation plans.
- Support NPI, mass production, and field return investigations using advanced failure analysis techniques.
- Influence vendor technology roadmaps and component selection decisions to align with product requirements.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills, domain experience, and professional abilities.
- 2+ years of experience in the semiconductor, networking, server, computer, or embedded industries.
- Hands-on experience with semiconductor components such as ASICs, XPUs, FPGAs, PHYs, and SerDes retimers.
- Strong understanding of semiconductor design, fabrication, characterization, qualification, testing, quality, and reliability.
- Experience investigating component failures across NPI, production, and field returns; familiarity with advanced FA techniques.
- Experience with high-speed hardware designs and interfaces (PCIe, MDIO, SPI, I2C) and with x86 or ARM-based systems.
- Ability to collaborate with hardware/software engineering, operations, manufacturing, and vendors; strong problem-solving and communication skills.
- Comfort working independently and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Nice-to-have:
- 4+ years of industry experience.
- Familiarity with reliability testing methods such as HTOL, ELFR, LU, and ESD.
- Proven ability to influence cross-functional technical initiatives and vendor roadmaps.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field is listed as the minimum. Equivalent practical experience is acceptable where noted.
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).
