below marketmost similar roles pay hereabove market
This role pays more than
92%
of similar roles. Most pay
$168,987–$226,575
— the blue band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$282k
versus about
$198k
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
300 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$167,700–$245,200
across 231 roles with salary data.
The Principal Hardware Engineer joins the Networking Hardware Engineering team to drive the end-to-end quality strategy for next-generation hyperscale switching, routing, wireless access points, AI servers, and optical platforms. This role involves leading complex technical investigations, identifying root causes for product defects, and delivering corrective actions across high-volume production environments. You will establish reliability practices for silicon, high-speed SerDes, optics, PCB, power, thermal, mechanical, firmware, and network operating systems. Key technologies include switch ASICs, DSPs, linear-drive optics, and SONiC. You will translate field data into preventive actions to improve product robustness for hyperscale data-center architectures and AI/ML fabrics. The position requires expertise in Ethernet switching, signal integrity, and system validation to ensure seamless interoperability and performance in complex networking infrastructures.
What does a Hardware Engineer earn?
Median $174375 from 34 postings across 11 companies.
Define and drive the end-to-end quality strategy for next-generation hyperscale switching, routing, and wireless platforms.
Lead the resolution of complex product quality issues and customer cases by identifying root causes and delivering corrective actions.
Serve as a senior technical partner for critical customer issues regarding deployment, reliability, and system integration.
Establish quality and reliability practices across silicon, optics, PCB, power, thermal, and network operating systems.
Translate field data and manufacturing findings into preventive actions to improve product robustness.
Lead quality readiness for emerging Ethernet platforms, including pluggable and co-packaged optical solutions.
Partner directly with hyperscale customers to resolve quality concerns and build confidence in product readiness.
Define and strengthen qualification, validation, and production-monitoring plans to detect issues early in the lifecycle.
What we're looking for
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science with 15+ years of experience.
Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science with 12+ years of experience.
PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science with 10+ years of related experience.
Experience leading quality, reliability, systems engineering, or customer issue resolution for complex, high-volume networking, switching, optical, or hyperscale data-center products.
Experience driving complex technical investigations from customer symptom collection through root-cause identification and corrective action.
Experience with Ethernet switching and optical communication technologies, including switch ASICs, high-speed SerDes, signal integrity, and system validation.
Experience leading multi-functional responses to critical customer cases, field partner concerns, product defects, or interoperability issues.
Experience with quality and reliability across fixed, modular, chassis-based, or disaggregated switching platforms (preferred).