Optical Design Engineer - Technical Leader

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  • Location:
    Shanghai, China
  • Area of Interest
    Engineer - Hardware
  • Job Type
    Professional
  • Technology Interest
    Cloud & AI (DCN & Compute)
  • Job Id
    1441922

 

Meet the Team

Our team is responsible for delivering the high-end hardware systems for Cisco's switching and optical portfolios.

We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer with deep expertise in optical transceiver design, particularly in the optical subsystem architecture, component integration, and end-to-end optical performance optimization. As a key technical leader, you will drive the development of next-generation optical modules for high-speed data communication and telecom applications, ensuring superior performance, reliability, and compliance with global standards. This role requires a proven track record of leading complex projects, solving critical technical challenges, and mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Your Impact

Key Responsibilities

  1. Technical Leadership & Product Development
    • Lead the optical design of advanced optical transceivers (e.g., 400G, 800G, 1.6T Ethernet, DWDM, CWDM, etc.), covering the full lifecycle from requirements analysis to prototyping, testing, and mass production.
    • Define optical subsystem architecture, including laser/photodetector selection, optical coupling, signal integrity, and packaging design to meet strict power, bandwidth, and cost targets.
    • Optimize optical performance parameters (e.g., insertion loss, BER, optical power budget, thermal stability) using simulation tools (Zemax, OptiSystem, Lumerical) and experimental validation.
  2. Component & System Integration
    • Evaluate and qualify optical components (DFB lasers, EMLs, APDs, PINs, PLC splitters, TOSAs/ROsAs) for reliability and performance, collaborating with suppliers to drive innovation.
    • Address complex integration challenges in high-density optical modules, such as crosstalk, thermal management, and polarization-dependent loss (PDL).
    • Ensure compliance with industry standards (IEEE 802.3, ITU-T, MSA specifications like QSFP-DD, OSFP, COBO) and regulatory requirements (EMC, safety).
  3. Team Collaboration & Mentorship
    • Work cross-functionally with hardware, firmware, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to align design goals and resolve technical conflicts.
    • Mentor junior engineers on optical design best practices, simulation techniques, and failure analysis, fostering a culture of technical excellence.
    • Present technical findings to internal stakeholders and external partners, driving data-driven decisions for product roadmap planning.
  4. Innovation & Continuous Improvement
    • Track emerging technologies (silicon photonics, co-packaged optics, advanced packaging) and propose novel solutions to enhance product competitiveness.
    • Conduct failure mode analysis (FMEA) for optical sub-systems, driving yield improvement and reliability enhancements.
    • Contribute to intellectual property (IP) development, including patents and technical whitepapers, to strengthen our market leadership.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Education: Master’s or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field (Bachelor’s with 10+ years of relevant experience will be considered).
  • Experience: 10+ years of hands-on experience in optical transceiver design, with a proven track record of delivering 10G to 1.6T+ modules for datacom or telecom markets.
  • Technical Expertise:
    • In-depth knowledge of optical component physics (laser diode operation, photodetector noise mechanisms, fiber coupling principles).
    • Proficiency in optical simulation tools (Zemax, OptiSystem, Lumerical FDTD) and thermal/mechanical analysis (ANSYS, COMSOL).
    • Strong understanding of high-speed optical link budgets, signal modulation formats (NRZ, PAM4, Coherent), and DSP-optical subsystem interactions.
    • Familiarity with optical packaging technologies (butterfly, COB, COC, silicon photonics integration).
  • Soft Skills:
    • Exceptional problem-solving skills for complex optical engineering challenges (e.g., low SNR, high BER, thermal drift).
    • Excellent communication and leadership abilities, with a history of leading cross-functional teams.
    • Self-driven mindset with a passion for innovation and staying ahead of industry trends.

Preferred Qualifications:

 

  • Experience with silicon photonics or advanced materials (PLC, glass photonics).
  • Knowledge of automated test equipment (ATE) for optical module characterization.
  • Publications or patents in optical communication technologies.

#WeAreCisco (This is the Standard and cannot be changed)

#WeAreCisco where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all.

 

Our passion is connection—we celebrate our employees’ diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best.

 

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year—allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do!

 

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!

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

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.

Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco’s flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco’s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter.  Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. 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 up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

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