The application window is expected to close on: 07/31/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.
ASIC Engineering Technical Leader (onsite)
*position requires onsite work activity at San Jose CA office*
Meet the Team:
Cisco Systems is seeking a System Level ASIC Engineering Technical Lead to drive and ensure the quality of next-generation networking platforms, including switches, routers, and data center systems.
What You'll Do:
In this role, you will drive end-to-end system validation across hardware, firmware, and software stacks, ensuring robust performance, scalability, and reliability under real-world and stress conditions.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership
• Leads the innovation, design and architecture of new hardware products, services and solutions.
• Re-enforces guidelines/standards within and outside of ownership.
• Oversees development of testing and issue resolution approach, and coordinates with appropriate stakeholders to address issues.
• Develops approach to verifying products against Cisco and industry quality standards.
• Provides technical knowledge to engineering teams where needed to support production, installation and configuration of complex hardware products.
• Mentors peers or others on the team.
• Facilitates/encourages knowledge sharing in the team (e.g., brownbags, demos, design sessions).
System Validation & Integration
• Define and execute system-level validation strategies for complex networking platforms
• Validate end-to-end functionality across hardware, OS, and networking software stacks
• Perform feature, regression, interoperability, and scale testing
Test Development & Automation
• Productize automated test frameworks using Python, C/C++, or similar languages
• Drive scalable validation environments for high-throughput networking systems
• Integrate tests into CI/CD pipelines for continuous validation
Performance & Scale Testing
• Manage SLT production test releases for throughput, latency, packet loss, and scale limits
• Drive system validation behavior under high traffic loads and real-world network conditions
• Debug complex issues spanning ASICs, firmware, drivers, and network OS
• Drive root cause analysis using logs, traces, and lab instrumentation
• Collaborate with design and software teams to resolve issues efficiently
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with ASIC, hardware design, software, and architecture teams
• Influence design decisions by identifying system-level risks early
• Work with customers and field teams to reproduce and resolve issues
• Drives innovation on medium-to-large features from technical design through
completion and mentors others.
• Drives the ASIC Hardware Engineering strategy within the group and Cisco, and ensures cross functional collaboration on projects.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's, Master's or Ph.D. degree in Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
- 8+ years of experience in ASIC bring-up, system validation, networking test, or hardware/software integration
- Experience with Linux systems and debugging tools
- Programming/scripting experience (Python, C/C++, or similar)
- Hands-on experience with system-level debugging and familiarity with lab equipment like MMs, Oscilloscopes
- Experience with Test Data Analysis and familiarity with tools like jmp, pandas or other data analysis tools
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with high-speed interfaces (Ethernet 25G/100G/400G, PCIe)
- Product and Test Engineering background
- Experience testing network operating systems (NX-OS, IOS-XR, or similar)
- Knowledge of traffic generators (Ixia, Spirent) and network test tools
- Knowledge of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, routing, switching)
- Experience with automation frameworks and large-scale testbeds
