Principal Digital Design Lead

The application window is expected to close on: 06/30/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received .

Meet the Team

Cisco's Client Optics Group (COG) designs & delivers the high-speed optical transceivers, and platforms that power Cisco's core data center networking solutions. We specialize in the design and integration of ground breaking IM/DD optics and silicon photonic platforms that enable customers to deploy industry-leading optical technologies within data centers with unprecedented speed, capacity, and reliability. Come join us and take part in shaping COG's ground-breaking optical solutions by designing, developing, and testing some of the most advanced pluggable, and Co-packaged Optics (CPO) being developed in the industry.

You will work with Cisco's best-in-class Silicon Photonics team. Our team is responsible for driving the development and optimization of optical transceivers & modules (800G,1.6T & beyond) that seamlessly integrate with Cisco's routing, switching, and datacenter platforms, enabling customers to build scalable, high-performance networks that support emerging technologies including AI/ML workloads, and next-generation data center architectures.

Your Impact

Lead digital design and integration of Cisco's silicon photonics ICs for 100G-400G per lambda solutions within the Client Optics Group (COG) Silicon Engineering Team. Drive architecture, RTL design, and subsystem integration for high-performance optical interconnect products while leading large cross-functional chip tapeout programs.

Design & Technical Leadership

Lead architecture, microarchitecture, and RTL design of complex digital blocks

Define organization-wide RTL quality standards and procedures

Drive full-chip integration of high-speed IPs (ODSP, D2D, SerDes XSR/PAM4)

Own DFT strategy and testability across designs

Drive AI/ML tool adoption to enhance productivity and reduce cycle times

Collaboration & Delivery

Partner with verification, firmware, and physical design teams for program success

Mentor global teams and foster collaborative, innovative culture

Support Cisco's product lifecycle (PLC) process through all landmarks

Develop automation scripts (Python, Perl, Tcl) for design analysis and QoR tracking

Who You Are:

Experienced large-team leader with proven ability to get results

Deep expertise in ASIC/SoC design flow, RTL development, and digital architecture

Advocate for AI tools with a track record of driving adoption

Strong collaborator skilled at mentoring globally dispersed teams

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree + 15 yrs, Master's degree + 12 yrs, or PhD + 7 yrs ASIC design experience

Demonstrated expertise in full ASIC/SoC design flow (RTL, simulation, synthesis, DFT, implementation)

Technical leadership in block/subsystem development

Experience with scripting languages (Python, Perl, TCL)

Preferred Qualifications

15+ years SoC/ASIC design with distributed team leadership

Familiarity with SerDes, Ethernet, D2D PHY IP, and control functions

Experience with industry tools (Synopsys, Cadence, Mentor Graphics)

Consistent track record of successful tape-outs and post-silicon validation

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 $208,600.00 to $287,000.00 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:

$225,000.00 - $374,100.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$208,600.00 - $330,000.00

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.

Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.