Optical Hardware Systems Test Engineer

Cisco
San Jose
Workplace: HybridFull timeUSD 167,700 - 245,200 annuallyFunction: QA, Test & Release EngineeringExperience: 7+ yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Analytical skills","Troubleshooting","Communication","Collaboration","Problem-solving"]

Lead hands-on lab testing and validation of next-generation networking platforms, integrating ultra-high-speed silicon ASICs with advanced optical transceivers and emerging co-packaged optics. Validate 112G/224G PAM4 SerDes channels, high-density data center interconnects, and CPO/NPO architectures by measuring eye quality, BER, and link margins. Automate instrument-controlled test workflows with Python/C/C++, perform stress testing across operating corners, and debug hardware and signal integrity issues from prototype bring-up through production release.

Loading

Loading job details...

Preparing the role view and application actions.

FursaFursa
Cisco
Cisco
12 hours ago

Optical Hardware Systems Test Engineer

✓ Verified Job

Canonical indexed version, validated from employer's careers page.

Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 12 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Lead hands-on lab testing and validation of next-generation networking platforms, integrating ultra-high-speed silicon ASICs with advanced optical transceivers and emerging co-packaged optics. Validate 112G/224G PAM4 SerDes channels, high-density data center interconnects, and CPO/NPO architectures by measuring eye quality, BER, and link margins. Automate instrument-controlled test workflows with Python/C/C++, perform stress testing across operating corners, and debug hardware and signal integrity issues from prototype bring-up through production release.
Location: San Jose
Workplace: Hybrid
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: QA, Test & Release Engineering
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Lead hands-on bring-up, validation, and characterization of Silicon One ASICs integrated with high-speed optical transceivers and emerging CPO/NPO optics engines.
  • •Measure and characterize electro-optic channels by evaluating eye quality, bit error rate (BER), and link margins across 112G/224G PAM4 SerDes and optical links.
  • •Develop and maintain Python or C/C++ test automation to control high-speed lab equipment and automate test workflows.
  • •Perform system stress testing across temperature, voltage, and traffic corners to validate link stability and operating margins under full system loads.
  • •Debug and root-cause hardware, signal integrity, and optical link issues during prototype bring-up and partner across ASIC architecture, board design, diagnostics, and manufacturing teams.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 167,700 - 245,200 annually
Perks:Health InsuranceDentalVision401kParental LeaveLife Insurance

Key Requirements

  • •Bachelor’s degree in Electrical engineering, Photonics, Computer Engineering, or related field with 7+ years of relevant industry experience (or Master’s with 4+ years, PhD with 1+ year).
  • •Hands-on experience with lab bring-up, system-level validation, and hardware testing of high-speed networking systems or electro-optic hardware.
  • •Strong understanding of optical transceivers, optical link budgets, high-speed SerDes (56G/112G+ PAM4), and bit error rate (BER) testing.
  • •Experience using lab instrumentation such as VNAs, TDR, sampling scopes, BERTs, optical power meters, and spectrum analyzers.
  • •Ability to debug and root-cause complex hardware, signal integrity, and optical link issues during prototype bring-up and system validation.
Experience:7+ yearsNetworkingElectro-opticsASICData center
Education:Bachelor's in Electrical engineering, Photonics, Computer Engineering, or related technical field
Skills:Analytical skillsTroubleshootingCommunicationCollaborationProblem-solving
Tech Stack:PythonCC++OscilloscopesBERTsOptical spectrum analyzersPower metersVNAsTDRSampling scopesOptical transceiversSerDesPAM4112G224GBEREye qualityOptical link budgetsIEEE 802.3400G

Company Brief

Cisco
Global technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and high-technology services and products for enterprises, service providers, and governments worldwide.
Industry: Networking Equipment
Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)
Revenue: USD 1B+
Growth: Public Company
Valuation: Public Company (Market Cap in USD)
Funding: IPO / Publicly Listed
Headquarters: San Jose, United States
Founded: 1984
Glassdoor
Glassdoor: 4.0
WebsiteLinkedInGlassdoor