Description
The Common Hardware Group (CHG) at Cisco creates innovative hardware platforms central to the AI era, powering Cisco’s core switching, routing, and wireless products for organisations globally.
As a Senior Hardware Board Design Engineer, you will independently own complex board-level subsystems or complete products from hardware definition through qualification and manufacturing release. You will work closely with ASIC, signal integrity, power, software, mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, and supplier teams to solve difficult technical problems and deliver reliable hardware.
Responsibilities:
- Translate system requirements into board-level architecture, schematics, constraints, and verification plans.
- Design complex digital, analog, and mixed-signal circuits using schematic-capture and PCB-design tools.
- Define high-speed routing strategies, stack-up requirements, and design constraints for multi-gigabit interfaces.
- Develop power-delivery and power-distribution solutions for high-current, low-voltage systems.
- Lead board bring-up, validation, and systematic debug using oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, TDRs, VNAs, and other laboratory equipment.
- Analyze signal integrity, power integrity, EMI/EMC, thermal, and manufacturing risks and drive them to closure.
- Lead design reviews and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level engineers.
- Collaborate with ASIC teams, PCB layout, software, mechanical, thermal, manufacturing operations, and external suppliers.
- Drive designs through qualification, documentation, and product release.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field plus 7 years of related experience; or Master’s degree plus 4 years of related experience; or Ph.D. plus 1 year of related experience; or equivalent related experience, consistent with Cisco’s Grade 10 leveling criteria.
- Previous experience taking complex hardware products through manufacturing release.
- Previous experience with board-level design, schematic capture, laboratory bring-up, validation, and root-cause analysis.
- Experience with high-speed digital design and signal integrity fundamentals, including controlled impedance, crosstalk, termination, and decoupling.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Methodical and highly analytical approach to problem solving, with the ability to break down complex issues, evaluate evidence, and document clear conclusions and next steps.
- Experience with networking, server, computer, or high-performance embedded systems.
- Experience with Ethernet, PCIe, DDR4/DDR5, SerDes, MDIO, SPI, I2C, or similar interfaces.
- Experience with Cadence Concept/Design Entry, Allegro, or comparable EDA tools.
- Experience with SI/PI or electromagnetic simulation tools such as HyperLynx, ANSYS, or Keysight ADS.
- Experience with multi-phase VRMs, POL converters, PDN target impedance, thermal management, or EMI/EMC mitigation.
- Experience with ASIC, FPGA, network processor, or high-speed memory support circuitry.
- Experience mentoring engineers and improving design methods, quality, or release processes.
- Proven ability to work independently on ambiguous problems and communicate technical decisions clearly.
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution
- Paid parental leave
- Short and long-term disability coverage
- Basic life insurance
- Paid time away (vacation, holidays, sick time)
- Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
Salary Range: $154,900.00 - $225,300.00