Senior Optical Component Engineer

What You'll Do

Cisco is looking for a Senior Optical Component Engineer to lead optical device and assembly process qualification for Cisco's optical transport and optical transceiver products. You'll work closely with both Cisco internal design teams to assess, develop and qualify suppliers and technologies for wavelength line management (WLM) and optical transceivers. Primary responsibilities include: technical assessment of optical suppliers including next‑generation technologies, material systems, packaging solutions and quality/reliability;

conducting design and process reviews and audits to ensure design robustness, quality and manufacturing readiness; assessing reliability risk, developing and executing qualification plans and resolving technical issues; owning the quality, reliability and manufacturability of WLM line cards/subsystems/circuit packs, optical sub‑modules/daughter cards and optical transceivers from design phase to end‑of‑life; partnering with global supply management teams to develop commodity strategy and influence technology and supplier selection;

assessing business‑impacting/critical issues and driving product/component failure analysis, containment and corrective actions; and managing and developing suppliers’ quality.

You will work closely with a network of Cisco optical suppliers and internal Cisco teams to guide optical transceiver, optical module and optical transport product qualification, module assembly and to manage quality issues. You will work in a highly collaborative, cross‑functional environment that includes engineering, operations and supply chain teams to develop next‑generation optical transport and optical transceiver technologies within Cisco.

The role has a large scope, cross‑organizational visibility and the potential to influence critical technology development, as well as influence commodity strategy for Cisco's various product platforms.

You are experienced in the following fields:

Wavelength management (WLM) technology: design, assembly and reliability of line cards, sub‑systems, circuit packs, daughter cards and their constituent sub‑modules (EDFA, DGE, WXC, OTDR, OCM, OSC etc.) and sub‑components (tunable lasers, high‑power laser pumps, TOSA/ROSA, SFP, AAWGs etc.).

Optical transceiver technology: design, assembly and reliability of active and passive optical components and sub‑assemblies including gain chip, laser diode, photodiode, tunable laser/uITLA/nITLA, single and multi‑function passive assemblies (WDM, iWDM, TOF‑VOA, etc.).

Optical Component‑level Failure Analysis and manufacturing/reliability‑related issues. Technical knowledge of optoelectronics, circuit pack/module assembly processes, manufacturing and reliability qualification experience are mandatory. You have proven ability working in multi‑functional teams and with external suppliers/partners. Good communication, project management and influencing skills. We expect you to have a MS (minimum) or PhD (preferred) in an engineering/technical field (Optical Engineering is highly preferred) with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in optics.

• BS/MS/PhD (graduate degree preferred) in Optical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science or a similar field, preferably with a focus on opto‑electronics, optical materials, etc. with at least 8+ years of experience
• Good understanding of the design, working principles, physics, reliability and common failure modes of optical sub‑assemblies, optical components and semiconductors (e.g. WXC, EDFA, DGE, AAWGs, tunable filters, APDs, TOSA/ROSA, tunable lasers/uITLA/nITLA, etc.), multi‑function passive components (e.g. WDM, iWDM, TOF‑VOA, etc.) is required.
• Desirable skills include the ability to troubleshoot optical device reliability issues, assembly process issues, experience in 8D or model‑based problem solving, knowledge of statistical process control, facility with data analysis.
• Knowledge of optical component and semiconductor failure analysis techniques.
• Experience in resolving design/manufacturing (reliability related issues).
• Good understanding of reliability engineering and quality metrics is required.
• Proven ability to work within a cross‑functional environment and with external suppliers.
• Excellent communication, data presentation and influencing skills.

Cisco is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

Cisco will consider for employment, on a case‑by‑case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.