Optical Test Engineer, DVT

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Join Cisco's Optical Engineering team and collaborate with multidisciplinary groups across product development, from design to manufacturing. You'll partner with electrical, silicon photonics, packaging, firmware, systems, and manufacturing teams to deliver next-generation optical interconnect solutions.

* Develop and execute optical validation and design verification test (DVT) plans for high-speed optical transceiver modules and co-packaged optics (CPO).

* Perform optical characterization of transmitters, receivers, and sub-components under varying operating conditions.

* Design, implement, and maintain advanced optical test setups, including automation and calibration.

* Develop and support Python-based test automation for instrument control, data acquisition, and reporting.

* Analyze optical performance data, identify trends, and drive root-cause investigations for failures or margin issues.

* Collaborate with silicon photonics, electrical, and packaging teams to correlate test results with design behavior.

* Support DVT exit reviews, risk assessments, and the transition of products to manufacturing.

* Document test methodologies, results, and recommendations clearly and effectively.

* Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience.

* Demonstrated hands-on experience with optical laboratory equipment (OSA, lasers, switches, amplifiers, oscilloscopes, polarization controllers, reflectometry tools, etc.).

* Proficient in Python for test automation, with experience interfacing with lab instruments (SCPI, VISA, Ethernet, USB).

* Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.

* Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

* Experience with fiber attach units (FAU) and fiber-to-silicon integration.

* Knowledge of optical assembly materials, fiber connectors, and interface reliability.

* Familiarity with manufacturing test development, yield analysis, or reliability qualification.

* Background in co-packaged optics or advanced optical integration approaches.

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.

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 ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto 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 volunteer

For 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:

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

* 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.