Tech Lead Hardware / Embedded Engineer

Cisco

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Santa Monica, CA
Salary
$151,300–$216,200 / yr
Employment
Full-time
Posted
7 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live yesterday
Closes
Oct 18, 2026

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $182k
This role $184k
$134k most similar roles pay here $231k

This role pays less than 52% of similar roles. Most pay $150,374–$214,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $184k 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 222 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $167,700–$245,200 across 171 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at Cisco

At a glance

TL;DR · Tech Lead Hardware / Embedded Engineer

Tech Lead - Hardware /Embedded Engineer The Tech Lead - Hardware /Embedded Engineer joins the Outshift Quantum Research team to develop next-generation deployable quantum networking hardware. This role involves taking end-to-end ownership of electronics and control architecture, transforming laboratory prototypes into robust, manufacturable systems for the quantum internet. Key responsibilities include designing custom mixed-signal PCBs, developing embedded software and firmware, creating high-speed signal paths, and implementing digital control loops for optical and electronic hardware. The candidate will work with advanced photonic components while managing requirements like ultra-low-noise electronics, sub-nanosecond timing, and reliable remote management. Essential technical skills include C/C++ programming, FPGA systems using RTL or HLS, and experience with communication protocols such as Ethernet, UART, SPI, USB, and GPIO. The role focuses on the critical challenge of building scalable infrastructure for quantum networking technologies and advanced photonics.

What you'll do

  • Architect custom mixed-signal PCBs for precision control, data acquisition, and timing in rack-mounted quantum systems.
  • Develop embedded software and firmware to control electronic components, optical devices, and photonic hardware.
  • Design high-speed analog and digital signal paths while ensuring signal integrity and sub-nanosecond synchronization.
  • Implement digital control loops to ensure the precise regulation and stabilization of optical and electronic hardware.
  • Create low-noise power distribution systems and grounding architectures for sensitive quantum instrumentation.
  • Develop communication interfaces using protocols such as Ethernet, UART, SPI, USB, and GPIO.
  • Define and implement APIs that allow higher-level software platforms to access system status and telemetry.
  • Transform laboratory prototypes into robust, manufacturable, and field-deployable rack-mounted systems.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree plus 8 years experience, Master's plus 6 years, or PhD plus 3 years of related experience is required.
  • At least 3 years of experience developing custom electronic hardware and embedded control systems is required.
  • Experience designing mixed-signal PCBs incorporating embedded processors, microcontrollers, or FPGAs is required.
  • Experience in embedded software/firmware development using C/C++ is required.
  • Familiarity with FPGA-based systems, including RTL and/or High-Level Synthesis (HLS), is required.
  • Experience developing electronics for lasers, optical switches, or other photonic devices is preferred.
  • Experience with high-speed PCB design, signal integrity, and low-noise power distribution is preferred.
  • A background in classical optics, quantum networking, or precision instrumentation is preferred.

More like this

Similar roles

Hardware Design Engineer Technical Lead

Cisco

San Jose, CA +1 3 days ago $171,600–$245,000
FPGA Verilog VHDL Python Tcl Ethernet PCIe I2C SPI Schematic Capture Hardware Bring-up Signal Integrity ASIC DFT
8+ yrs exp

Lead Hardware Engineer

General Dynamics

Pittsfield, MA 30 days ago $142,696–$158,303
Electrical Hardware Design PCB FPGA Circuit Card Schematics Network Infrastructure R&D Cybersecurity Encryption Algorithms Secure Boot Trusted Platform Architecture AI
8+ yrs exp

Lead Hardware Engineer

General Dynamics

Pittsfield, MA 23 days ago $124,397–$138,003
Electrical Engineering FPGA Circuit Card Schematics Network Infrastructure Hardware Design Cybersecurity Encryption Algorithms Secure Boot Trusted Platform Architecture AI R&D
5+ yrs exp

Lead Hardware Engineer

Anduril Industries

Waltham, MA +1 9 days ago $191,000–$253,000
Ladar Lidar Electro-Optical Infrared Computer Vision NPI Hardware Architecture Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Optical Engineering Systems Engineering DVT Configuration Control Manufacturing Readiness Test Equipment
8+ yrs exp

Lead Hardware Engineer

Anduril Industries

Boulder, CO 9 days ago $165,000–$218,000
Ladar Lidar Electro-Optical Infrared Computer Vision Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Optical Engineering Systems Engineering NPI DVT Configuration Control Hardware Architecture Test Engineering Manufacturing Readiness Review Design Verification Testing
8+ yrs exp

Digital Hardware Engineering Lead

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA 16 days ago $220,000–$292,000
FPGA HDL VHDL Verilog Altium Designer Ethernet CAN I2C SPI PCIe USB Signal Integrity Power Integrity DSP Computer Networking DO-254 MIL-STD-810
7+ yrs exp