Hardware Engineer — High-speed I/O & Test
Cisco SystemsJob Title
Hardware Engineer — High-speed I/O & Test
Role Summary
Join Cisco's Common Hardware Group (CHG) in San Jose, CA to design and validate high-speed interconnects for data-center switching, routing, and wireless platforms. The role focuses on electrical characterization, lab validation, system integration, and automation for Silicon One high-speed interfaces.
The position works cross-functionally with ASIC, system, and signal-integrity teams and supports internal and external customers to deliver reliable high-speed hardware solutions.
Experience Level
Senior — typical 5–7+ years of relevant engineering experience. See Education Requirements for degree/experience combinations that Cisco specifies.
Responsibilities
Key duties include lab characterization, validation, and automation to support high-speed device development and system integration.
- Develop and execute electrical characterization testing for high-speed interconnect devices.
- Support device characterization, validation, compliance, and system integration for Silicon One interfaces.
- Collaborate with ASIC, system, and signal-integrity teams to evaluate design trade-offs and optimize solutions.
- Develop automation and analysis tools for lab measurements and data processing using Python and/or Matlab.
- Drive methodology development and best practices for high-speed solutions and testing.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and hands-on experience for successful performance in this role.
- Several years of hands-on lab experience with high-speed interface systems and lab measurements (signal integrity, channel measurements, eye analysis).
- Experience with high-speed analog building blocks: PLL, CDR, CTLE, DFE, FFE, FEC.
- Programming skills in Python and C/C++ for test automation and data analysis.
- Strong debugging skills and experience troubleshooting hardware at board and link level.
- Basic understanding of high-speed optical testing methods.
- Experience working cross-functionally with ASIC, system, and signal integrity teams.
- Good technical communication and documentation skills.
- Familiarity with IEEE 802.3 and OIF specifications.
Education Requirements
MSEE or Computer Engineering degree with 5+ years of lab experience, or BSEE with 7+ years of experience. Degrees explicitly mentioned: MSEE, Computer Engineering degree, BSEE. (No certifications were specified.)
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).
