Hardware Engineer - Signal and Power Integrity

The application window is expected to close on 2/30/2026.

This is an onsite role and will work out of our Carlsbad, CA office location.

The system hardware team in Cisco Client Optical Group is seeking a Senior PCB and Signal/Power Integrity Engineer for the design and analysis of high-speed PCB/substrate and power distribution networks. As a member of the hardware design team, you will help develop the next generations of Cisco optical module products, participating in the definition and design of current and next-generation ASICs, packages, PCBs and PCBAs. You will be working in a team of electrical and mechanical engineers, collaborating closely with system architects, ASIC engineers, package engineers, layout engineer and other SI/PI engineers in the creation ofnext-generation optical modules.

• High-speed link modeling and simulation, including high-speed I/O, IC package, chip-on-chip-on-substrate design and system interconnections.

• Modeling and analyzing power delivery networks.

• Electromagnetic modeling of complex 3-dimensional structures.

• Work with layout engineer on PCB placement and routing for best SI and PI performance.

• Perform pre- and post-route signal integrity analysis of both PCB and ASIC package designs and correct the issues on the layout.

• Write signal integrity design guidelines, PCB test plans, and test reports.

• Decide appropriate PCB material, stack-up, and work with vendors to address any DFM (Design for Manufacturability) issues.

• Support prototype function bring-up, validation, and troubleshooting.

• Work closely with other hardware team members including HW design, CAD, Mechanical, Power, EMC, and Diagnostics to deliver first-class products.

• Drive the definition, implementation, and continuous improvement of advanced SI/PI methodologies, simulation flows, and design processes.

• Lead comprehensive SI/PI/PCB design reviews, providing expert guidance and ensuring adherence to stringent performance and reliability targets.

• 5+ years of related experience with a Bachelor's Degree in EE, or 3+ years of experience with a Master's Degree.

• Experience applying EE fundamentals, EM theory, and coupling mechanisms in circuit or system design, analysis, troubleshooting through projects, coursework, or work experience.

• Demonstrated experience with simulation or analysis of transmission lines, channel modeling, and signal/power integrity via academic or professional projects.

• High-speed PCB design experience from concept to release.

• Practical experience configuring and interpreting measurements from VNA, TDR, and oscilloscopes, demonstrated in lab, research, or engineering roles.

• Working knowledge of tools such as: HFSS, Cadence Clarity 3Dlayout and workbench, Cadence PowerSI/PowerDC, Allegro PCB Editor, and Allegro Package Designer.

• Self-motivation, collaboration, strong communication, and a desire to innovate are important.

• Working experience with high-speed NRZ and PAM4 SerDes, as well as high-speed PCB/package development and PI analysis.

• Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering

• Knowledge of optical transceiver module types, form factors, and requirements.

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.

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 eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies:

• 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees

• 1 paid day off for employee's birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco

• Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees

• Exempt employees participate in Cisco's flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)

• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto the next

• Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. 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 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco's sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.