PCB Design Hardware Engineer - Optical Group… at Cisco · Carlsbad

PCB Design Hardware Engineer - Optical Group (Onsite) Location: Carlsbad, California, US The application window is expected to close on: 06/26/2026 Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received. This position requires that you commute to the Carlsbad, CA office 5 days per week. MEET THE TEAM The system hardware team in Cisco Client Optical Group is seeking a Hardware Engineer for the design and analysis of high-speed PCB/substrate. 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 IC 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 of next-generation optical modules. YOUR IMPACT Define hardware architecture and board-level design strategy with test, qualification, SI, and PI requirements in mind. Work on schematic design, PCB layout, power simulation and component selection. Work with layout engineer on PCB placement and routing for best SI and PI performance. Decide appropriate PCB material, stack-up, and work with vendors to address any DFM (Design for Manufacturability) issues. Support prototype test plan, 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. Lead comprehensive PCB design reviews, provide expert guidance and ensuring adherence to stringent performance and reliability targets. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 5+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in BSEE, or 3+ years of experience with a Master’s Degree; which could include a combination of a BSEE, relevant/transferable professional work, and/or classroom learning. Prior experience working with digital, analog, and power circuit design. Hands-on end-to-end experience in high-speed PCB and/or substrate design from concept to release with knowledge of PCB design rules, stackup and constraint management, power supply layout and thermal design rules. Experience with high efficiency DC-DC power conversion design, analysis, circuit simulation, and power design component selection and trade-offs. Practical experience with lab equipment (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, VNA and TDR measurement). PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Strong tools knowledge with tools such as Design Entry HDL, Allegro PCB Editor and Allegro Package Designer as well as Spice, LTspice, TI WorkBench. Self-motivation, collaboration, strong communication, and a desire to innovate are important. Work on schematic design, PCB layout, power simulation and component selection. Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering Knowledge of optical transceiver module types, form factors, and requirements. 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 $122,000.00 to $172,100.00 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 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 of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to 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: $135,800.00 - $222,400.00 Non-Metro New York state & Washington state: $122,000.00 - $197,900.00 * 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.