This role pays less than
53%
of similar roles. Most pay
$167,475–$217,987
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$184k
versus about
$193k
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
242 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$167,700–$245,200
across 181 roles with salary data.
The Lead Photonics Validation Engineer joins the Quantum Experimental Team to support the physical realization of deployable quantum hardware platforms. This role involves defining and implementing verification protocols for complex photonic and electronic performance metrics, such as entanglement fidelity and extinction ratios, under full system integration. The engineer will develop automated data acquisition systems and instrument control setups using Python, LabVIEW, or MATLAB to test photonic switches, detectors, and laser sources. Responsibilities include authoring standardized test plans, FAT and SAT runbooks, and technical reports while diagnosing root causes of inter-subsystem anomalies like thermal drift and signal degradation. The role requires expertise in optical characterization equipment, high-speed RF systems, and precision timing. This position addresses the critical challenge of building scalable, efficient quantum networking technologies as foundational components for a future quantum internet.
Define and implement verification protocols to validate photonic and electronic performance metrics like entanglement fidelity and signal loss.
Author standardized test plans, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) protocols, and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) runbooks for customers.
Diagnose root causes of inter-subsystem anomalies, cross-talk, and signal degradation between hardware, optics, and software.
Build automated data acquisition systems and instrument control scripts using Python, LabVIEW, or MATLAB.
Establish reproducible baseline benchmarks to ensure long-term operational stability across manufacturing units.
Perform functional and parametric testing on standalone subsystems and integrated multi-subsystem co-validation.
Document and analyze statistical test data, error propagation analyses, and pass/fail reports for engineering review.
Maintain traceable revision-controlled test logs and non-conformance reports for hardware and software teams.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's plus 8 years, Master's plus 6 years, or PhD plus 3 years of related experience is required.
At least 2 years of experience in test development, automation, or hardware validation for optoelectronic, photonic, high-speed RF, or quantum systems is required.
Experience writing code with Python or MATLAB for test automation, data analysis, and hardware instrument control is required.
Experience with standard optical characterization equipment is required.
Experience writing technical documentation, test protocols, FAT/SAT procedures, and validation reports is required.
Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, and assembly procedures is required.
Experience developing electronics for lasers, modulators, switches, or photonic integrated circuits (preferred).
Background in classical optics, quantum optics, quantum networking, photonics, or precision instrumentation (preferred).
Python
C++
C#
GUI Development
Oracle
JMP
Firmware
Microcoding
Motion Control
Vision Systems
Statistical Analysis
Data Acquisition
Product Characterization
Silicon Photonics