Component Engineer - Semiconductor Devices
Cisco SystemsJob Title
Component Engineer - Semiconductor Devices
Role Summary
Work on semiconductor component selection, testing, qualification, and failure analysis for high-speed networking products. Collaborate with design, manufacturing, operations, quality engineering, and component vendors to ensure components meet product specifications and reliability targets.
Experience Level
Entry-level — minimum 2+ years of relevant industry experience; 4+ years preferred.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include technical evaluation, qualification, and cross-functional coordination for semiconductor components used in networking systems.
- Select, test, and qualify semiconductor components (ASICs, NPUs, CPUs, switches, FPGAs, PHYs, retimers) to meet product specifications.
- Lead investigations and end-to-end failure analysis; work with vendors to define and verify corrective and preventive actions (8D, RCCA).
- Collaborate with hardware, software, manufacturing, operations, and quality teams on component selection, risk assessments, and design reviews.
- Drive risk mitigation activities and influence cross-functional technical decisions.
- Analyze vendor technology roadmaps and provide input to product development planning.
- Support component qualification across NPI, mass production, and field return scenarios.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and experience; preferred items listed separately.
- Must-have: 2+ years of experience in the semiconductor, networking, server, computer, or embedded industry.
- Must-have: Hands-on experience with semiconductor components such as ASICs, XPUs, FPGAs, PHYs, and SerDes retimers.
- Must-have: Strong understanding of semiconductor design, fabrication, characterization, qualification, testing, reliability, and failure analysis techniques.
- Must-have: Experience investigating component failures and performing sophisticated failure analysis across NPI, production, and field returns.
- Must-have: Effective communication and collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders; ability to work independently and manage priorities.
- Preferred: 4+ years of industry experience.
- Preferred: Experience with high-speed system design and hardware using x86 or ARM CPUs.
- Preferred: Knowledge of reliability and device testing methods (HTOL, ELFR, LU, ESD) and control interfaces (PCIe, MDIO, SPI, I2C).
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field is required.
Compensation & Benefits (summary)
The posting includes a U.S./Canada starting salary range. Employees in eligible locations receive standard benefits such as medical, dental, vision, retirement match, paid time off, and potential equity grants. Specifics vary by location and role.
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).
