Hardware Engineer - Onsite

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

This position will be based onsite in our San Jose, CA site.

You will join the Product Development Team as a System Level Test Engineer in the Silicon Operations team taking Silicon One ASICS from proto to production. You will be working with custom network processors, transceivers, mixed signal ICs, multi-die modules, bare die and stacked die. Our team drives the post-silicon validation cycle to meet Product Quality and Time to Market Metrics. We develop test requirements for groundbreaking IP, to minimize test overhead both in design and for production. We develop custom test solutions spanning high power, large dies and packages to cost-sensitive products.

This hands-on hardware engineering role will be focused on board bring-up, system validation, and debug across multiple products using Cisco advanced networking chips for telecommunications and data networking systems. This role will include SLT/PVT execution, log analysis/reporting, and internal lab automation tools that improve test robustness and accelerate root-cause analysis and issue resolution.

Responsibilities

• Perform board and system bring-up, including initial power-on, configuration, and functional validation of new and existing PCBs/systems across multiple products.

• Debug board/chip/setup issues using lab instrumentation and structured failure isolation methods.

• Use LTpowerPlay to configure and troubleshoot power devices/rails and power-up sequencing issues.

• Use Xilinx FPGA programming tools to program/configure FPGAs to support bring-up and debug.

• Use Cadence Allegro to view/analyze PCB BRD files and correlate layout/routing to lab observations and failures.

• Interpret schematics and FPGA code/behavior to enable advanced debugging and root-cause analysis.

• Apply working knowledge of x86 architecture and interfaces (I2C, SPI, PCI Express, 100G+ SERDES) to understand expected behavior and troubleshoot issues.

• Develop and execute system-level validation plans and execute PVT testing (Process, Voltage, Temperature) across defined corners/conditions.

• Enhance System Level Test (SLT) environments by monitoring/controlling electrical, mechanical, and functional variables impacting stability and repeatability, and implementing solutions to improve coverage and throughput.

• Analyze SLT/PVT log files, identify trends/failure signatures, and generate accurate, data-driven reports that drive corrective actions and measurable improvements.

• Design, develop, and maintain internal lab automation tools and dashboards using Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to automate test execution, data collection, and reporting.

• Support lab operations (equipment setup, calibration/maintenance, fixtures, documentation) and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive issue resolution.

• Manage and prioritize work across multiple products/projects simultaneously.

• BS in Electrical/Electronics Engineering (or related).

• Hands-on board bring-up and hardware debug experience.

• Knowledge of high-speed interfaces (PCIe, 100G+ SERDES) and low-speed buses (I2C/SPI).

• Ability to work onsite 5 days/week in San Jose, CA.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in Electrical/Electronics Engineering +3 years of related experience,

• Experience with Cadence Allegro (BRD), LTpowerPlay, and Xilinx FPGA programming tools.

• Experience with Python plus HTML/CSS/JavaScript for internal lab automation tools.

• Experience using oscilloscope, DMM/DVM

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.