Emulation Engineer

Cisco

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: San Jose, CA
Salary: $155,000–$222,600 / yr
Posted: 16 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Closes: Oct 30, 2026
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $182k

This role $189k

$133k most similar roles pay here $232k

This role pays more than 57% of similar roles. Most pay $152,150–$212,500 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $189k versus about $182k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About Cisco

Cisco Systems is the world''s leading networking technology company, designing and manufacturing networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and cybersecurity solutions for businesses and governments. Industry: Networking Technology & Cybersecurity

Cisco currently has 196 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $167,700–$245,200 across 196 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Emulation Engineer

Role Posting Log in to save

Emulation Engineer As part of the Common Hardware Group, the Emulation Engineer will develop pioneering emulation environments to evaluate the performance and functionality of multi-terabit systems. This role involves building emulation infrastructure using C/C++ and TCL while collaborating with design, verification, power, and post-silicon diagnostic teams. The engineer is responsible for test plan design, implementation, and debugging during the pre-silicon phase, specifically creating tests to generate complex traffic and performance scenarios to identify potential issues before production. Required technical skills include experience with Palladium, Veloce, or Zebu platforms; RTL development for emulation prototypes; and system debug tools like gdb and waveform debuggers. Preferred qualifications include knowledge of Python, Perl, UVM, System Verilog, and protocols such as PCIe, I2C, and Ethernet packet headers to support the integration of Nexus systems and ACI with software environments.

Skills

C/C++ TCL Python Perl System Verilog UVM RTL OpenStack Docker Open vSwitch gdb PCIe I2C Ethernet Palladium Veloce Zebu

What you'll do

Develop pioneering emulation environments to evaluate the performance and functionality of multi-terabit systems.
Build emulation infrastructure using C/C++ and TCL.
Assist with test plan design, implementation, and debugging during the pre-silicon emulation process.
Create tests to generate complex traffic and performance scenarios to identify potential post-silicon issues.
Resolve technical issues in collaboration with design, DV, power, and post-silicon diagnostic teams.
Perform RTL development for emulation prototypes.
Utilize system debug tools such as gdb and waveform debuggers to resolve hardware issues.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of related experience, or Master's degree plus 3 years of related experience.
Experience with emulation on platforms such as Palladium, Veloce, or Zebu including compilation, debug, and performance testing.
Experience with RTL development for Emulation prototypes.
Experience with C/C++ and TCL infrastructure development.
Experience with system debug tools like gdb and waveform debuggers.
Experience with scripting programs such as Python or Perl (preferred).
Prior experience with UVM and System Verilog (preferred).
Post-silicon functional validation or debugging, and experience with protocols like PCIe, I2C, and Ethernet (preferred).

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