Principal Hardware Systems Architect - ASIC (Silicon One) Ecosystem Integration & Product Strategy (Hybrid)

The application window is expected to close on: 01/28/2027 This role involves a hybrid work model, with a flexible in-office schedule that requires commuting to the San Jose, CA office.

Meet the team

Cisco Silicon One (#CiscoSiliconOne) is a business organization with a long track record of building complex and high-performance Silicon ASICs. Our silicon devices drive the world’s most complex networks and carry over 90% of IP traffic. Cisco Silicon One is the only unifying silicon architecture in the market that enables customers to deploy the best-of-breed silicon from Top of Rack (TOR) switches all the way through web scale data centers and across service provider, enterprise networks, and data centers with a fully unified routing and switching portfolio.

We are a highly specialized ASIC team with experts in all aspects of advanced IC package design and heterogeneous system integration. Our substrates use the latest 2.5D fanout technologies for large-scale integration, using the latest signaling and data transfer technologies. Come join us and take part in shaping Cisco's ground-breaking solutions by designing, developing and testing some of the most complex ASICs being developed in the industry!

The system architecture team works cross-functionally between ASIC, optics & systems design teams as well as advanced materials R&D teams to co-optimize the implementations of both Cisco Silicon One ASIC and Cisco systems design teams to maximize Cisco’s competitive advantage.

Our highly specialized ASIC team leads the industry in advanced IC package design and heterogeneous system integration. By leveraging state-of-the-art 2.5D fanout technologies and cutting-edge high-speed signaling, we have already successfully shipped 102.4T silicon to our customers. We invite you to join us in shaping Cisco’s ground-breaking solutions by designing, developing, and testing some of the most complex ASICs currently in development!

Cisco has 3 different business models around Cisco Silicon One and Systems:

• Silicon-only
• Open Networking Systems
• System + Software

Cisco builds some of the world’s most complex networking systems around this silicon, often partnering with major webscalars to customize implementations specific to their needs through one of the 3 business models above. Most are not publicly disclosed, but some examples include wide-scale deployments at Meta :

• Meta Spine/AI cluster 51.2T switch (Cisco 8501)
• Meta “Wedge” Top of Rack switch (at both 12.8T and 25.6T generations)

Your impact

We are seeking a Principal Hardware Engineer to serve as a key technical authority within our networking organization. This role transcends individual product lines, positioning you to drive architectural strategy across internal cross-functional groups and our most strategic customer accounts. You will act as the vital link between cutting-edge innovation and real-world market success, shaping the future of our product portfolio from initial concept to field deployment.

The target technology area goes beyond a single product or product line, and will require working with multiple groups inside Cisco, and customers. This position requires high technical skill levels in architecture, implementation, design, evangelize, marketing support, and account team engagement.

• Work with hardware, software and test engineering to deliver quality products to the field.
• Actively participate in engagements with current and potential customers on the technical response to custom systems RFP’s.
• Work with product marketing on future broad-market system products.
• Actively participates in standards committees to influence industry practices.
• Work with external vendors to ensure they can deliver products which meet our needs for future products.
• Author/co-author white papers and user tutorials for the Marketplace.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and 15+ years of relevant signal and power integrity experience, or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and 12+ years of relevant signal and power integrity experience, or PhD in Electrical Engineering and 8+ years of relevant signal and power integrity experience.
• At least 5 years’ experience driving System Architecture of hardware systems, including trade-offs between signal integrity, power integrity, thermal design, total power consumption, cost, and schedule.
• At least 5 years' experience driving cross-functional buy-in and approval of complex strategic programs with internal executive management (concept commit, architectural commit, execution commit).
• At least 5 years' experience generating, driving cross-functional reviews of and presenting customer-facing materials for strategic projects.

Preferred qualifications

• Demonstrates impactful proficiency in system architecture, hardware, and software design, including FPGA and ASIC design and verification, system bring-up and debug, and thermal design.
• Exhibits effective skills in articulating complex ideas and technical concepts clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Possesses successful documentation and organizational capabilities, adept at defining workflows that clarify priorities, setting meeting agendas, recording and distributing notes, and driving trade-offs to resolution with key stakeholders.
• Demonstrates leadership excellence with experience building and nurturing technical relationships across customer architects, software teams, and Cisco cloud, data center, and network product teams and partners.
• Excels in communication, with experience developing presentations, whitepapers, and architectural documents in collaboration with platform engineering.
• Skilled in customer presentations, preparing thoroughly and responding dynamically to guide discussions positively.
• Exhibits exceptional decision-making, conflict resolution, perseverance, and follow-through to ensure successful outcomes.

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 $233,900.00 to $330,400.00 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.

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