Director, Hardware Engineering (Client Optics Group)

About this role

The application window is expected to close on: 09/10/2026 Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received .

Meet the Team

The Director will be responsible for setting up and leading a high-performance engineering design team in the US & India for Cisco’s Client Optics Group (COG) and driving the end-to-end execution of optical transceiver development for COG’s silicon-photonics–based transceiver chipsets and modules.  Key responsibilities include architecture, development, simulation, diagnostics, bring-up, and validation of electronics IC (EIC) paired with silicon photonics ICs (PICs).  A significant new focus for this role is the deployment of AI tools, when possible, to enhance productivity, quality, and development cycle times.

Your Impact

Product Planning

• Evaluating Marketing Requirements Documents (MRDs) and providing timely responses as to the approach, timeline, and feasibility for new product concepts.

• Significant participation in Cisco’s product lifecycle (PLC) process including Concept Commits (CCs), Engineering Commits (ECs) and other important PLC milestones. 

• Working with the COG Program Management Team to develop and maintain accurate, detailed, and comprehensive program schedules and resource plans.   

• Drive adoption of AI tools to enhance productivity, quality, and development speed.

Silicon Development

• Oversee the design, development, delivery, and documentation of electronics ICs, and chipsets by working directly with the various team leaders to guarantee execution with predictability, velocity and quality. 

• Ensure the Analog Design team is following best engineering practices in the development, custom layout, simulation, validation/characterization, & documentation of the optical transceiver designs being developed.

• Apply analytics and AI/ML to stimulate edge cases, optimize test strategies, and improve test coverage, usability, debug capabilities, and fault isolation.

Collaboration & Team Development

• Partner with the cross functional teams like digital design, SI/PI, layout, Silicon characterization, Product Management, and Operations teams to ensure multi-functional alignment and successful program delivery.

• Foster a collaborative, innovative, accountable, and inclusive culture, promoting guidelines and knowledge sharing across global teams.

• Mentor and develop high-performing teams, emphasizing continuous learning in silicon development and effective use of AI-assisted development tools.

Who You Are

• Experienced large-team leader who can motivate its members to successful outcomes.

• Expert in the development of mixed-signal/analog electronics and silicon photonics with a proven track record of timely delivery and first-pass success.

• Advocate for AI tools, with a history of driving adoption to accelerate development and improve productivity.

• Skilled collaborator and mentor, committed to building high-performing, innovative teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• 15+ years high-speed electronics and experience including management of global teams.

• Advanced degree (Master’s/PhD) in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field work experience with a focus on semiconductor and/or optics development.

• Extensive experience in the following disciplines: • Mixed signal/analog electronics: Drivers, TIAs, ADCs, TX/RX Equalizers, CDRs, etc.

• Digital signal processors (DSP)

• Optical / Photonic ICs or similar:  Modulators, Photo Detectors, Grating Couplers, Waveguides, etc.

• High-speed SERDES- 112Gbps, 224Gbps, 448Gbps PAM4/PAM6

• Signal & power integrity, channel modeling

• Advanced packaging including fine-pitch and low-parasitic chip-chip interconnect

• PLL / clock domains and distribution

• Power distribution

• Silicon diagnostics, test coverage, and DFT

• Electrical, optical, and co-simulation applications and tools

• Silicon validation and test equipment

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced understanding of silicon manufacturing processes, photonics development leadership and automation

• Optical transceiver silicon and module architecture definition at 200Gbps/lane, 400Gbps/lane

• Good understanding of MSA standards such as QSFP/QSFP-DD and IEEE 802.3 ethernet specifications.

• Strong communication, global team management, and executive presence.

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. 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.  We are Cisco, and our power starts with you. 

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

The starting salary range posted for this position is $220,900.00 to $291,500.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan elig

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