Senior Design Engineer

Senior Design Engineer

Apply (

n
• n

  Location:Allentown, Pennsylvania, US

  n
n
• n

  Area of InterestEngineer - Hardware

  n
n
• n

  Compensation Range USD- USD

  n
n
• n

  Job TypeProfessional

  n
n
• n

  Technology InterestNetworking

  n
n
• n

  Job Id

  n
n

Application Window expected to close 10/01/25

Meet the Team

Join Cisco's Silicon Photonics group, where we combine deep expertise in analog, digital, and optical design to build the world's fastest networking solutions. We're a collaborative, innovative team passionate about pushing the limits of high-speed connectivity.

Your Impact

As a Senior Engineer, you'll lead the design and development of next-generation 100G/200G/400G photonics ICs. From architecture to lab validation, you'll shape product direction, mentor engineers, and ensure Cisco stays at the forefront of optical networking innovation. Specific responsibilities include:

n
• n

  Drive architecture, design, and verification of high-speed mixed-signal and photonics circuits.

  n
n
• n

  Define and document chip-level specifications and verification plans.

  n
n
• n

  Collaborate across optical, electrical, firmware, and manufacturing teams to deliver end-to-end solutions.

  n
n
• n

  Lead lab validation, debug, and yield improvement activities.

  n
n
• n

  Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers.

  n
n

Minimum Qualifications

n
• n

  Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering (or related field).

  n
n
• n

  12+ years of experience in analog/mixed-signal IC design for high-speed systems.

  n
n
• n

  Strong lab validation and test experience with high-speed equipment.

  n
n
• n

  Proficiency in Python and C for automation and analysis.

  n
n
• n

  Hands-on expertise with design tools (Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre, Calibre, etc.).

  n
n

Preferred Qualifications

n
• n

  Deep expertise in photonics and high-speed datapath circuits (modulators, TIAs, PLLs, ADC/DAC, CDR).

  n
n
• n

  Knowledge of industry standards (IEEE 802.3, QSFP, OSFP, QSFP-DD).

  n
n
• n

  Experience leading cross-functional teams and making critical design tradeoffs.

  n
n
• n

  Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.

  n
n

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we're revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era - and beyond. We've been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Simply put - we power the future.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you'll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees haveaccess ( to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.

Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco's flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco's Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter. Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.