Hardware Engineering Technical Leader; onsite

Hardware Engineering Technical Leader (onsite) - 2014979

Application window closes on 06/30/2026. This position requires onsite work activity at the San Jose, CA office. The posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Cisco Hardware Engineers develop and work with Next Generation Technology to build Cisco Hardware products, keeping in mind the user experience and IEEE standards, and industry best practices. They serve a range of roles from IP creators and architects to Solution Integrators, driving cross‑functional teams from concept to production, ensuring products meet Cisco and industry quality standards. Engineers in this role will work cross‑functionally with system designers, diagnostics engineers, customer escalation engineers, and external vendors to ensure robust test methodology and timely issue mitigation, enabling high product quality and next‑generation solutions.

Drive end‑to‑end system validation across hardware, firmware, and software stacks, ensuring robust performance, scalability, and reliability under real‑world and stress conditions.

• Leadership
  • Leads the innovation, design and architecture of new hardware products, services and solutions.
  • Re‑enforces guidelines/standards within and outside of ownership.
  • Oversees development of testing and issue resolution approach, and coordinates with appropriate stakeholders to address issues.
  • Develops approach to verifying products against Cisco and industry quality standards.
  • Provides technical knowledge to engineering teams where needed to support production, installation and configuration of complex hardware products.
  • Mentors peers or others on the team.
  • Facilitates/encourages knowledge sharing in the team (e.g., brownbags, demos, design sessions).
• System Validation & Integration
  • Define and execute system‑level validation strategies for complex networking platforms.
  • Validate end‑to‑end functionality across hardware, OS, and networking software stacks.
  • Perform feature, regression, interoperability, and scale testing.
• Test Development & Automation
  • Develop automated test frameworks using Python, C/C++, or similar languages.
  • Build scalable validation environments for high‑throughput networking systems.
  • Integrate tests into CI/CD pipelines for continuous validation.
• Performance & Scale Testing
  • Design and execute tests for throughput, latency, packet loss, and scale limits.
  • Validate system behavior under high traffic loads and real‑world network conditions.
  • Analyze system performance across L2/L3 protocols and data center workloads.
• Debug & Root Cause Analysis
  • Debug complex issues spanning ASICs, firmware, drivers, and network OS.
  • Perform root cause analysis using logs, traces, and lab instrumentation.
  • Collaborate with design and software teams to resolve issues efficiently.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with ASIC, hardware design, software, and architecture teams.
  • Influence design decisions by identifying system‑level risks early.
  • Work with customers and field teams to reproduce and resolve issues.

• Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in ASIC bring‑up, system validation, networking test, or hardware/software integration.
• Experience with Linux systems and debugging tools.
• Programming/scripting experience (Python, C/C++, or similar).
• Hands‑on experience with system‑level debugging and familiarity with lab equipment like MM, oscilloscopes.
• Experience with Test Data Analysis and familiarity with tools like JMP, pandas or other data analysis tools.

• Familiarity with high‑speed interfaces (Ethernet 25G/100G/400G, PCIe).
• Product and Test Engineering background.
• Experience testing network operating systems (NX‑OS, IOS‑XR, or similar).
• Knowledge of traffic generators (Ixia, Spirent) and network test tools.
• Knowledge of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, routing, switching).
• Experience with automation frameworks and large‑scale testbeds.

Starting salary range posted for this position is $ to $ for U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation, equity, or benefits.

State specific ranges:
New York City Metro Area: $168,800 – $277,400;
Non‑Metro New York state & Washington state: $148,800 – $248,200.

U.S. employees are offered medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with 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.