Cisco’s Silicon One Optics Group (S1O) designs & delivers the high-speed optical transceivers, and platforms that power Cisco's core data center networking solutions. We specialize in the design and integration of cutting-edge IM/DD optics and silicon photonic platforms that enable customers to deploy industry-leading optical technologies within data center with unprecedented speed, capacity, and reliability. Come join us and take part in shaping S1O’s ground-breaking optical solutions by designing, developing, and testing some of the most advanced pluggable, and Co-packaged Optics (CPO) being developed in the industry.
You will work with Cisco's best-in-class Silicon Photonics team. Our team is responsible for driving the development and optimization of optical transceivers & modules (800G,1.6T & beyond) that seamlessly integrate with Cisco's routing, switching, and datacenter platforms, enabling customers to build scalable, high-performance networks that support emerging technologies including AI/ML workloads, and next-generation data center architectures.
We seek an experienced High Speed AMS Design Engineer to lead full-chip electrical specifications and mixed-signal design for Cisco's silicon photonics driver integrated circuits supporting 100G/200G/400G per Lambda solutions. You will own high-speed datapath and low-speed control circuit design for receive and transmit paths in our next-generation silicon photonics modules.
Your ImpactProvide technical leadership in analog/mixed-signal design for Cisco's next generation silicon photonics driver integrated circuits for 100G/200G/400G per Lambda solutions.
Lead full-chip electrical specifications, circuit design, and verification test plans from concept through production, coordinating across electrical, optical, and product teams.
Author mixed-signal datapath designs including photonics modulator drivers, serializers, PLLs, TIAs and control circuits while optimizing for power, performance, testability, and cost.
Debug complex silicon and system-level issues during bring-up, and lab validation phases, driving yield enhancements and failure analysis.
Mentor and guide analog, digital, and validation engineers while collaborating with architecture and product teams on verification and testability strategies.
Bachelors + 12 years of related experience, or Masters + 8 years of related experience, or PhD + 5 years of high-speed AMS design experience
Demonstrated expertise in high-speed optical transceiver design (modulator drivers, TIA, CDR, PLLs, ADC/DAC) and proficiency with industry standard tools (Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre, Caliber, SystemVerilog, Verilog-AMS)
Proven ability to lead design teams through full tapeout cycle, making critical decisions with limited data and delivering successful silicon products
Proficiency in Python or C for design automation, scripting, and analytical tools
10-15 years of hands-on analog/mixed signal circuit design experience
Experience with silicon photonics driver ICs and direct-detect optical module architectures
Strong understanding of silicon photonics, optical subsystems, MSA standards (QSFP/QSFP-DD), and IEEE 802.3 specifications
Expertise in multiple high-speed PHYs, protocols and subsystems (SerDes 112Gbps/224Gbps PAM4, Ethernet, UCIE, clock and data recovery systems, PLLs, ADC/DAC circuits)
Demonstrated experience in design for testability (DFT) and test methodology development for large mixed-signal designs
Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation (digital communication analyzers, real-time scopes, BERTs), SI/PI and test fixture/PCB
Familiarity with optical sub-component models (photodiodes, modulators) and Verilog-A modeling for AMS simulations
Strong collaborator, team player with ability to work across teams in multiple sites
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 to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.
Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.
We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.
Skills Required
- Bachelors +12 years, Masters +8 years, or PhD +5 years of high-speed AMS design experience
- Expertise in high-speed optical transceiver design (modulator drivers, TIA, CDR, PLLs, ADC/DAC)
- Proficiency with Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre, Caliber, SystemVerilog, Verilog-AMS
- Proven ability to lead design teams through full tapeout cycle
- Proficiency in Python or C for design automation and scripting
- 10-15 years hands-on analog/mixed-signal circuit design experience
- Experience with silicon photonics driver ICs and direct-detect optical module architectures
- Strong understanding of silicon photonics, optical subsystems, MSA standards (QSFP/QSFP-DD), IEEE 802.3
- Expertise in high-speed PHYs/protocols (SerDes 112Gbps/224Gbps PAM4, Ethernet, UCIE) and CDR/PLLs
- Experience in design for testability (DFT) and mixed-signal test methodology
- Hands-on lab instrumentation and validation experience (digital comm analyzers, real-time scopes, BERTs), SI/PI and test fixture/PCB
- Familiarity with optical sub-component models (photodiodes, modulators) and Verilog-A modeling
Cisco Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Cisco and has not been reviewed or approved by Cisco.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as robust with multiple plan options and access to onsite/virtual LifeConnections Health Centers on major campuses. Company materials also highlight mental-health resources and comprehensive preventive care, supporting strong core medical benefits.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time away includes company‑wide recharge days, a paid birthday, a year‑end shutdown, and paid Critical Time Off for emergencies. Paid volunteer days further expand opportunities to step away and recharge.
-
Parental & Family Support — Policies include a global minimum for paid parental leave for primary caregivers, caregiving concierge services, and on‑site children’s learning centers in select locations. In the U.S., family‑building support is consolidated under Carrot with a defined lifetime maximum, indicating structured assistance across fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy.
Cisco Insights
What We Do
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) enables people to make powerful connections--whether in business, education, philanthropy, or creativity. Cisco hardware, software, and service offerings are used to create the Internet solutions that make networks possible--providing easy access to information anywhere, at any time. Cisco was founded in 1984 by a small group of computer scientists from Stanford University. Since the company's inception, Cisco engineers have been leaders in the development of Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking technologies. Today, with more than 71,000 employees worldwide, this tradition of innovation continues with industry-leading products and solutions in the company's core development areas of routing and switching, as well as in advanced technologies such as home networking, IP telephony, optical networking, security, storage area networking, and wireless technology. In addition to its products, Cisco provides a broad range of service offerings, including technical support and advanced services. Cisco sells its products and services, both directly through its own sales force as well as through its channel partners, to large enterprises, commercial businesses, service providers, and consumers.
