Hardware Engineer

Cisco - San Jose, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

San Jose, CA

11-50 employees

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

About the position

The Hardware Engineer position at Cisco's Next Generation Firewall Business Unit (NGFWBU) involves working within a dynamic team focused on the design and support of security firewalls and firewall appliances. The role emphasizes collaboration across various engineering disciplines to ensure high-quality product delivery and customer satisfaction. The engineer will lead hardware-sustaining initiatives, troubleshoot complex hardware issues, and manage engineering failure analysis processes, contributing to the overall security and reliability of Cisco's network solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the hardware-sustaining engineering initiatives and provide continuous support across cross-functional teams.
• Direct troubleshooting and root cause analysis of hardware issues, including electrical circuits, board signal integrity, power circuits, programmable components, and mechanical problems.
• Manage Engineering Failure Analysis (EFA) processes and customer escalations, working with customer support, business escalation teams, and quality engineers.
• Facilitate communication and problem-solving to identify root causes of customer issues, categorize failures, and implement corrective measures.
• Lead the creation of circuit designs and generate detailed schematics for next generation platforms.
• Execute design verification, reviews and validation testing, ensuring that products meet all design specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Manage vendor relationships, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality components and adherence to product specifications.
• Create and maintain comprehensive, clear, and concise technical documentation including hardware functional specifications and TOI (transfer of information) documents.

Requirements

• Bachelors + 5 years of related experience, or Masters + 3 years of related experience, or PhD + 1 year of related experience.
• Experience in electronic hardware design, including schematic design and prototype test.
• Experience in diagnosis and resolution of hardware issues, performing root cause analysis, and implementing fixes.
• Experience in setting up and utilizing test equipment, including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and Ethernet traffic generators or similar.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in the design of Intel or AMD server x86 CPU complexes, ARM and high-performance FPGA architectures.
• Experience with high-speed interface bus design such as PCIe Gen 3/4/5, DDR4/5, High Speed Ethernet (XAUI, CAUI), XGMI, QPI and PHY interfaces (SFI, XFI and KR).
• Proficiency in using design software such as Cadence Concept and Allegro.
• Knowledgeable about signal integrity design considerations, including high speed interface challenges, power integrity, and printed circuit board material selection.
• Knowledgeable about RTL design in Verilog and System-Verilog.
• Exceptional communication abilities, with strong skills in both verbal and written interactions.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage including medical, dental, and vision.
• 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution.
• Short and long-term disability coverage.
• Basic life insurance.
• Paid time off (PTO) including up to 20 days per year and additional paid time for critical issues.
• Twelve paid holidays per year, including a floating holiday and a day off for birthdays.
• Paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program allowing purchase of company stock.