Leader, Hardware Engineering (Onsite)

The application window is expected to close on: 11/08/2026
This role is onsite based in Cisco's San Jose, CA office.

Meet the Team

We represent one of the technical arms of Data Center Network Product, Component and Quality Operations.  Our team works collaboratively with cross-functional groups across Cisco, including Product Management, Hardware Engineering, Global Manufacturing Operations, Compliance and Service.  We also need to work closely with CM / EMS and suppliers.  We are responsible for products cost, delivery and quality throughout their entire life cycle from NPI (New Product Introduction) to EOS (End of Sales).

Your Impact

We are looking for a motivated and experienced people leader who enables the engineering team to improve and optimize the engineering processes and infrastructure to deliver a great experience to the engineering organization for building products. Directs the activities of a hardware development function, including research and technical design for electronic parts, circuitry, and mechanical systems.

• Manages the daily activities of a hardware team (typically manages a midsized team)

• Identifies and leads problem solving within Data Center product family

• Maintains standards (e.g., product review)

• Evaluates and resolves technical feasibility, design optimization, and production issues

• Ensures technical quality throughout the architecture and design process

• Finds opportunities and potential barriers to process enhancement and/or product improvement within area of accountability and may make recommendations.

• Leads hardware projects from requirements to execution, including delivery.

• Brings together team members from all hardware disciplines as needed to ensure that the right hardware solutions are developed.

• May participate in meetings with internal customers to explain solutions, gather feedback, and work with cross-functional teams to ensure feedback is reflected in design decisions and deployment.

• Seeks alternate sourcing options and collaborates with finance to obtain financial performance; plans, analyzes and distributes summaries on key financial/other material resources.

• Collaborates with multiple stakeholders to understand business performance indicators relevant to a product.

• Tracks resource use to ensure minimal waste and reduce duplication of efforts .

Minimum Qualification s

• BS in Electrical Engineering with 10 years of related experience, in Electrical, manufacturing and design.

• Good understanding of PBA and PCBA manufacturing process and technology

• Experience working on a switch/router product.

• Experience with being a people leader and managing teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in relevant field.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

The starting salary range posted for this position is $171,600.00 to $245,000.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks.  Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco’s policies:

- 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
- 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
- Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
- Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)
- 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
- Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
- Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

- .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;
- 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;
- 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and
- Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:
$171,600.00 - $281,800.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$151,300.00 - $250,900.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.