Quantum Team Hardware Engineering Technical Leader

The application window is expected to close on: 10/28/2026

The Outshift by Cisco team is one of the Cisco’s most visible innovation organizations, driving the next generation of transformative technologies and business opportunities. You will collaborate with some of the company’s most forward-thinking researchers, engineers, and technology leaders. Within the Outshift Quantum Research team and Quantum Labs, we are pioneering the design and development of practical, scalable, and efficient quantum networking technologies — foundational building blocks for the future Quantum Internet.

Our multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers is dedicated to advancing the state of the art in quantum networking, distributed quantum systems, and quantum-enabled applications.

Cisco Quantum Research is seeking a skilled System Engineer to support our Quantum Experimental Team in a role that is central to the physical realization of Cisco's deployable quantum hardware platforms.

• Build and architect multi-chassis, rack-level quantum systems tailored to customer and data center requirements, including rack-level power distribution (PDUs, UPS integration, grounding, and electrical isolation), while ensuring compliance with EIA-310, UL, CE, and IEC standards.
• Optimize rack layouts and integrate RF/microwave signal routing to ensure structural stability, thermal performance, serviceability, and reliable, low-noise system operation.
• Develop robust fiber optic routing, slack management, and connector management strategies to ensure low insertion loss, high reliability, and protection against mechanical stress.
• You will serve as the primary technical authority responsible for delivering coordinated, rack-mounted quantum systems directly to customer data centers and research facilities, directly driving customer satisfaction and site-acceptance timeline success.
• You will unify disparate engineering domain outputs—including precision control electronics, RF/microwave distribution, thermal management, optical/photonic routing, and fiber management—into a cohesive, manufacturable, and serviceable rack architecture.
• You will play a key role in establishing the assembly and test infrastructure that will support the scaling of Cisco's quantum hardware platform delivery.

• Bachelors +12 years of related experience or Masters +8 years of related experience or PhD 5+ years of related experience.
• 7+ years experience designing, integrating, and deploying high-density electro-mechanical, optoelectronic, or telecom rack.
• Experience with 3D CAD software (Solid Works, Creo, or Inventor) with experience in rack layout design (EIA-310 standard), structural enclosures, and cable management routing.
• Experience with AC/DC power distribution (PDUs, grounding schemes, safety isolation), thermal/airflow management inside enclosed racks, and environmental interlocks.
• Experience with standard optical telecommunication components and architecture, as well as designing or operating optical data center rack systems.

• Experience defining and performing Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), including authoring site-readiness specifications for enterprise or research customer facilities.
• Experience reading, interpreting, and producing engineering drawings, schematics, and assembly procedures, with demonstrated ability to provide structured design feedback based on assembly and test findings.
• Exposure to quantum optics, quantum communication, or quantum networking hardware.

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…