Silicon Photonics Senior Design Engineer- (Hybrid

The application window is expected to close on: 06/30/2026.

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

This is a hybrid role with two days per week at Cisco’s Carlsbad or Allentown office.

The Common Hardware Group (CHG) creates innovative hardware platforms central to the AI era, powering Cisco’s core Switching, Routing, and Wireless products for organizations globally. Our innovations in silicon, optics, and hardware platforms—like Silicon One—are shaping the technology industry. We're a global team of creative experts, bringing our unique backgrounds and bold ideas to push boundaries and help each other grow.

Because full product development—from design to qualification to production—is within our team, we’re able to think differently, experiment more, and work quickly. Join us to power the future of the digital world.

As a Silicon Photonics Senior Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, development and qualification of integrated optical devices used in Cisco silicon photonics transceivers.

• Work within a team of silicon photonics designers on integrated optical devices to enable the next generation of Cisco optical transceiver products.
• Develop modulators and photodetectors through device design, layout of test and characterization structures, testing (including high speed) and reliability qualification to make them ready for use in products.
• Interact with the foundry and its engineers to optimize the manufacturing process and select process parameters.
• Interface with product team IC designers to deliver device models and optimize the performance parameters of the optoelectronic devices to match with drivers and TIAs.

• Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field and 7+ years of experience in an engineering role.
• Experience designing passive and active silicon photonics components (e.g., grating couplers, photodetectors, modulators, filters) or subsystems that use them.
• Experience using software modeling tools such as Ansys/Lumerical, Silvaco, or Photon Design.
• Experience using CAD layout tools such as Cadence Virtuoso, kLayout, etc.

• Master’s degree in Optics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field and 5+ years of experience in an engineering role or PhD in Optics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field and 2+ years of experience.
• Experience with optical test equipment (e.g., tunable lasers, detectors, OSA, VNA) and microwave measurement techniques, as well as with statistical analysis tools (e.g., JMP).
• Experience with the design of integrated electronic circuits that interface with active silicon photonics components (e.g., TIAs, modulator drivers).

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

The starting salary range posted for this position is $ to $ 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. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

• 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…