Cisco Careers

The application window is expected to close on: 1/27/25 

Meet the Team 

We are the Service Provider (SP) Mechanical and Thermal team responsible for the design of Cisco’s best high-performance, provider-class routers, the Cisco 8000 series. The Cisco 8000 series utilizes Cisco’s revolutionary Silicon One ASIC that delivers unmatched performance and density with feature-rich functionality.

We are transforming the industry and building a new internet for AI networks and the 5G era, providing a unified, programmable silicon architecture that is the foundation of all Cisco's future routing products.

Our devices are designed to be universally adaptable across service providers and web-scale markets, designed for fixed and modular platforms. Our devices deliver high speed without sacrificing programmability, buffering, power efficiency, scale, or feature flexibility.

You'll be part of our group driving our game-changing next-generation network devices built with Cisco Silicon One™.

Your Impact 

You will be joining the SP platform Mechanical Thermal group in San Jose, CA, which is responsible for designing and developing complex electro-mechanical systems for a variety of networking products from fixed to centralized and distributed architectures with sizes ranging from 1U to 40U. You’ll work with Hardware Distinguished Engineers and Hardware Leads to architect and develop cooling solutions for next-generation high-performance routing platforms. In this role, you’ll tackle the challenges of high-power ASICs and high-density optical transceivers by investigating and implementing innovative, next-generation cooling.

High-Level Responsibilities:

• Design and develop thermal solutions (air-cooled or liquid-cooled) for systems with high-power ASICs and high-density optical transceivers.

• Develop detailed package, board, and system-level simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamic tools such as Flotherm or Icepak to simulate and analyze

• Collaborate with Distinguished Engineers and HW leads on system architectures and cooling.

• Manage or perform thermal testing (including airflow, acoustic, thermocouple testing, modules, and/or platform level validations) to validate simulation models.

• Lead and mentor other thermal engineers in the group.

• Investigate and implement new innovative thermal technologies.

• Collaborate with mechanical engineers, and other cross-functional teams to identify risks, derive tradeoffs and deliver objective, data-driven solutions.

• Develop test plans and test reports and present simulation reports to the project team and management.

Who You’ll Work With

You will be working very closely with the rest of our Mechanical/Thermal group, which is a dedicated team with foundations of innovation, teamwork, open communication, and customer success. You’ll also work cross-functionally with Hardware Engineering, Product Management/Marketing, Product Operations, Global Supplier Management (GSM), External Vendors/Suppliers, Manufacturing Operations, and EMS/JDM partners.

Who You Are

You are a creative thinker and an adept problem solver, someone who thrives on tackling difficult challenges with innovative solutions. You exhibit strong technical leadership, driven by a passion for design and innovation. As an excellent team player, you’re open to collaboration, ready to listen and compromise to achieve the best product outcomes. The role requires a self-starter, capable of working independently and effectively translating broader directives into actionable tasks. You can adapt to a constantly changing and dynamic environment, as well as evolving requirements. Outstanding verbal and written communication skills are essential, along with a strong work ethic that complements your commitment to teamwork.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering with 10+ years of relevant experience or

• Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience

• 6+ years of experience in the design, simulation, and testing of thermal solutions for electronic devices and systems.

Preferred Qualifications 

• PhD in Mechanical, Thermal Engineering, or relevant degree and 5+ years of relevant experience.

• 5+ years of relevant experience in the thermal design of telecom, compute, or networking equipment.

• Experience in the use of Computational Fluid Dynamic analysis tools such as Flotherm or Icepak.

• Knowledge and experience with advanced air-cooling technologies (vapor chamber and remote heat sinks, thermal interface materials, fans/fan trays).

• Experience with designing liquid cooling and/or immersion cooling systems.

• Experience with performing other analysis such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Data Center cooling simulations.

• Proficiency with 3D MCAD modeling tools such as PTC's Creo or NX.

• Knowledge of optical transceiver module types, form factors, and requirements.

#WeAreCisco 

#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!