Hardware Engineering Technical Leader

The application window is expected to close on: 04/22/2026Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.This position is an onsite position in our San Jose, CA Office.NOTE: Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if enough applications are received.Meet the TeamWe are a team passionate about advancing hardware technology and design, focusing on complex, high-speed board development and innovative solutions. Our work environment fosters self-motivation, teamwork, and strong communication to drive impactful results. Our team consists of skilled engineers and designers experienced in hardware technologies such as power, clock, memory, CPU, FPGA, and various interfaces. We collaborate closely to bring up complex boards and develop schematic, PCB, and Verilog HDL/VHDL designs. We value continuous learning and encourage the use of scripting languages like Python and TCL (Tool Command Language) to enhance our workflows.Your ImpactIn this role, you will contribute to the design and bring-up of high-speed, multilayer boards, applying your expertise in schematic and PCB design as well as hardware description languages. Your work will support the development of cutting-edge technology solutions, and your proactive communication and teamwork will be essential to our success.Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree plus 8 years of related experience, or master's degree plus 6 years of related experience, or PhD plus 3 years of related experience.Experience with complex high-speed board design and board bring-up.Experience in leading teams of both internal and external stakeholders to address and resolve performance and quality issues within large complex programs.Experience in mechanical design principles, including tolerance analysis, fabrication methods, materials, validation testing, and familiarity with SI principles.Preferred QualificationsExperience with common hardware technologies including power, clock, memory, CPU, FPGA, and a variety of interfaces.Experience with schematic, PCB, and Verilog HDL/VHDL design.Experience with scripting languages such as Python and Tcl (Tool Command Language.Experience with Ethernet protocol and switching is a plus.Track record of effective collaboration with senior-level stakeholders to identify business needs and opportunities and achieve strategic objectives.Strong self-motivation, teamwork, and communication skills.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 $168,800.00 to $241,200.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.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 receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time 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 of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to 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 volunteerFor 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:* .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;* 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 - $277,400.00Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:$148,800.00 - $248,200.00* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco's sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.