Director, Engineering - High-Speed SerDes & Analog/Mixed-Signal (Silicon One Optics Group)

Job Title

Director, Engineering - High-Speed SerDes & Analog/Mixed-Signal (Silicon One Optics Group)

Role Summary

Lead and build a high-performance engineering design organization across the US and India for Cisco’s Client Optics Group to deliver silicon-photonics–based optical transceiver ICs and modules. Drive architecture, development, simulation, diagnostics, bring-up, and validation of electronic ICs paired with photonic ICs.

Strong emphasis on predictable execution, quality, and adoption of AI/ML tools to accelerate development and improve test and debug processes.

Experience Level

Senior - Director-level. Requires extensive leadership experience; posting specifies 15+ years in high-speed electronics and global team management.

Responsibilities

Accountable for technical leadership, program delivery, and team development across silicon-photonics transceiver programs.

• Define architecture and technical approach for electronic ICs paired with photonic ICs; assess feasibility and timelines for new product concepts.
• Drive product lifecycle activities (Concept Commits, Engineering Commits, program schedules, and resource plans).
• Oversee analog/mixed-signal design, simulation, custom layout, validation/characterization, and documentation to achieve first-pass success.
• Ensure predictable delivery of chipsets and modules with required quality and velocity.
• Apply analytics and AI/ML to improve test strategies, increase coverage, surface edge cases, and speed debug and validation.
• Partner cross-functionally with digital design, SI/PI, layout, silicon characterization, product management, and operations for program alignment and delivery.
• Build and mentor global teams; promote knowledge sharing, inclusive culture, and continuous learning in silicon and photonics development.

Requirements

Must-have technical experience and leadership qualifications, followed by preferred skills.

• Must-have: 15+ years experience in high-speed electronics with history of managing global engineering teams.
• Deep hands-on expertise in mixed-signal/analog electronics: drivers, TIAs, ADCs, TX/RX equalizers, CDRs.
• Experience with digital signal processing (DSP) for high-speed links.
• Practical experience with optical/photonic ICs (modulators, photodetectors, grating couplers, waveguides) and co-design with electronics.
• High-speed SERDES experience (examples: 112Gbps, 224Gbps, 448Gbps; PAM4/PAM6).
• Signal and power integrity, channel modeling, PLL/clock domains, power distribution, and advanced packaging (fine-pitch, low-parasitic interconnects).
• Silicon diagnostics, test coverage, design for testability, silicon validation, and use of lab/test equipment.
• Experience with electrical, optical, and co-simulation tools and workflows.
• Preferred / Nice-to-have: experience leading photonics manufacturing/process automation, optical transceiver/module architecture at 200–400 Gbps per lane, familiarity with MSA standards (QSFP/QSFP-DD) and IEEE 802.3 ethernet specs, and demonstrated success driving AI-assisted engineering tools adoption.

Education Requirements

Advanced degree preferred: Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field; equivalent practical experience is acceptable. (Source lists advanced degree but allows related field work experience.)

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).