below marketmost similar roles pay hereabove market
This role pays less than
62%
of similar roles. Most pay
$152,200–$213,375
— the blue band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$167k
versus about
$183k
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
249 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$167,700–$245,000
across 186 roles with salary data.
The Hardware Engineer joins the Product Operations team within the Core Routing Business Unit to support the delivery of next-generation hardware products. This role involves system and board design, signal integrity, power design, and validation to ensure product reliability and performance. Key responsibilities include silicon, package, and board characterization, as well as PCIe Gen 6/7 protocol compliance using PAM4 signaling and multi-tap equalization. The engineer will operate precision lab instrumentation like Vector Network Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, BERTs, and TDRs to perform root-cause debugging for crosstalk, jitter, and noise. Technical tasks require correlating lab data with simulation models using Ansys HFSS, Keysight ADS, or Cadence Sigrity. Additionally, the position involves developing Python or MATLAB scripts for lab automation and processing complex validation datasets for high-speed channels.
What does a Hardware Engineer earn?
Median $167300 from 31 postings across 10 companies.
Validate high-speed channels from silicon die through the PCB interface using time-domain and frequency-domain techniques.
Partner with layout engineers to optimize routing and define manufacturing test requirements.
Execute physical layer compliance and characterization for PCIe Gen 6/7 protocols using PAM4 signaling.
Operate precision lab instrumentation including Vector Network Analyzers, high-bandwidth Oscilloscopes, and Bit Error Rate Testers.
Correlate lab data with simulation models using tools like Ansys HFSS, Keysight ADS, or Cadence Sigrity.
Troubleshoot complex signal and power integrity anomalies such as crosstalk, jitter, and insertion loss.
Develop Python or MATLAB scripts to automate instrument control and process validation datasets.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of related experience, or Master’s degree and 3+ years of related experience, or PhD plus 1+ years of related experience.
5+ years of applied experience with VNA to measure multiport S Parameter (insertion loss, return loss and crosstalk).
Capability to set up TDR setups to locate impedance discontinuity, trace routing mismatches, structural damage in PCB, cables and connectors.
Prior experience with micro probing station, high bandwidth differential probes, and calibration methodology (preferred).
Basic scripting skills in Python or MATLAB to parse data and analyze data (preferred).
Hardware Board Design
Schematic Capture
Cadence Allegro
HyperLynx
SPICE
Verilog
FPGA
CPLD
x86
ARM
DDR4
DDR5
PCIe
SATA
USB
Ethernet
I2C
SPI
UART
RS232
Signal Integrity
Power Distribution