Silicon Photonics Senior Designer

Cisco

Confirmed live today High trust
Hybrid

Quick summary

Work type
Hybrid
Location
Carlsbad, CAAllentown, PA
Salary
$151,300–$216,200 / yr
Employment
Full-time
Posted
28 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live today
Closes
Nov 17, 2026

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $202k
This role $184k
$139k $262k
below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays less than 60% of similar roles. Most pay $177,048–$227,500 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $184k versus about $202k 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 307 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $167,700–$245,000 across 224 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Silicon Photonics Senior Designer

The Silicon Photonics Senior Designer joins the Silicon One team to develop hardware platforms for switching, routing, and wireless products. In this role, you will lead the design, simulation, and characterization of silicon photonic devices and integrated components for next-generation optical platforms supporting 100G/200G/400G per Lambda solutions. You will be responsible for converting product specifications into waveguide designs, performing optical measurement and characterization, and conducting data analysis to solve root-cause challenges in the lab. Required skills include advanced waveguide modeling, design analysis, optical coupling, and experience with high-speed modulators or photodetectors. You will work on the optical foundation of AI and hyperscale infrastructure, owning critical optical subsystems from initial design through qualification and production to support global digital infrastructure.

What you'll do

  • Lead the design, simulation, and characterization of silicon photonic devices and integrated components.
  • Convert raw product specifications into cutting-edge waveguide designs for 100G/200G/400G per Lambda solutions.
  • Perform optical measurement and characterization of photonic devices to ensure performance standards.
  • Conduct advanced waveguide modeling, design analysis, and optical coupling evaluations.
  • Identify and resolve root-cause technical challenges in the laboratory environment.
  • Manage the end-to-end development of optical subsystems from design through qualification and production.
  • Contribute to the company's patent portfolio by developing new intellectual property.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's + 8 years of related experience, OR Master's + 6 years of related experience, OR PhD + 3 years of related experience.
  • Experience in silicon photonics device design, including simulation and design of integrated photonic components.
  • Demonstrated experience with optical measurement and characterization of photonic devices and data analysis.
  • Demonstrated experience with advanced waveguide modeling, design analysis, and optical coupling.
  • Product-related experience taking photonic devices or platforms from design through qualification and production (preferred).
  • Familiarity with the patent process and a track record of contributing to intellectual property (preferred).
  • Experience designing high-speed modulators and/or photodetectors (preferred).
  • Experience with co-packaged optics (CPO) or pluggable optics architectures (preferred).

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