Photonic Integration Engineer, Technical Leader

The application window is expected to close on 1 / 30 / 2026.

This is an onsite role and will require working out of our Carlsbad, CA office location.

What You'll Do :

Work as part of a world class photonics team on the integration of Cisco's silicon photonics into our automated, high-volume packaging line. Our high-volume packaging line uses in-house designed / developed assembly and test tools and processes that provide a unique opportunity to seek modes of improvement that span from photonic chip design to optical assembly (i.e., integration of fibers, light sources, etc.). Advanced testing methods in combination with extensive data collection allow us to gain insight into interactions between materials and processes that drive improvements in product quality and overall capability of manufacturing technologies.

This multi-disciplinary position requires an in-depth understanding of silicon photonics, optics, lasers, single-mode fiber-optics components (fiber arrays, optical multiplexers and demultiplexers, etc.), fiber-optic communications system, single-mode optical-alignment / packaging and advanced data analysis techniques (preferably using SAS jmp).

Qualified candidates are expected to be able to apply advanced problem-solving skills to uncover, root cause and drive corrective action across engineering and manufacturing organizations.

Responsibilities include :

• Lead teams in resolving yield and defectivity issues in the line related to final integration of photonic components in high volume manufacturing
• Help define / improve standards and design rules (i.e., design for manufacturing) for design and assembly of silicon photonics products
• Work with product and development engineers to fundamentally understand complex interactions that arise when integrating the individual components that comprise silicon photonic based transceivers.
• Build engineering dashboards and monitors to track yields, defectivity and other quality and performances issues to direct efforts to improve optical components packaging tools / process.
• Present finding to team with clear written and verbal communications

Who You'll Work With :

You will be working with the core engineering team responsible for development of Cisco's high volume silicon photonics platform. You will be part of a dynamic technology development team that works to design processes and tools as part of Cisco's high-volume silicon photonics manufacturing platform.

Who You Are :

You are an engineer or scientist with experience in one or more of the following areas : fiber optic transceivers, optics, optical packaging and fiber optic components.

Minimum Qualifications :

Preferred Qualifications :

Why Cisco?

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.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and / or Canada :

The starting salary range posted for this position is $148,800.00 to $212,900.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and / or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and / or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco's plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies :

10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees

1 paid day off for employee's birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco

Non-exempt employees

Exempt employees participate in Cisco's flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)

80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto the next

Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows :

1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and

Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below :

New York City Metro Area :

$168,800.00 - $277,400.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state :

$148,800.00 - $248,200.00