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# System Architecture Engineer Leader (Hardware Board Design) (Onsite)

- **Company:** Cisco Systems, Inc.
- **Location:** Milpitas, CA, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $194,600.0 - $285,700.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Computer Engineering, Logic Synthesis of Circuits, Ethernet, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Python (Programming Language), PCI Express, Software Reliability Testing, Signal Integrity, Systems Architecture, Test Scripts, Ansys
- **Published:** October 1, 2026
- **Apply:** https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/apply/add/88516480/1

## About the Role

* Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering and 11+ years of experience, or Master's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering and 7+ years of related experience, or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering and 4+ years of related experience.
 * End-to-End System Design: Experience in hardware board design and system architecture-taking products from concept through production-for high-performance systems, including PCIe, Ethernet, DDR, SerDes, and advanced thermal/EMI management.
 * Technical Validation & Tools: Experience with high-speed digital design, signal and power integrity, power distribution, and reliability testing, supported by hands-on use of Cadence design tools and advanced lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, logic/spectrum analyzers).
 * Strategic Leadership & Delivery: Experience leading complex, multi-site, and cross-functional engineering initiatives, partnering with silicon vendors and contract manufacturers to solve high-impact, ambiguous technical challenges at scale., * Systems Architecture: Experience with advanced networking systems, ASICs, FPGAs, high-speed memory, multi-gigabit SerDes, and advanced packaging.
 * Specialized Technologies: Experience in co-packaged/near-packaged optics, signal/power integrity budget analysis, ultra-high-speed signaling, and next-generation power delivery.
 * Technical Proficiency: Hands-on experience with Cadence (Concept/Allegro), HyperLynx, ANSYS, Keysight ADS, and advanced lab equipment (VNA, TDR, high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers).
 * Automation: Experience with creating test scripts using Python to streamline validation and design tasks.
 * Problem-Solving: Analytical, methodical approach to decomposing complex issues, evaluating empirical evidence, and documenting clear, actionable conclusions.
 * Collaboration: History of working effectively within cross-functional teams to drive initiatives forward.
 * Leadership & Influence: History of influencing senior technical and business leaders across organizational boundaries, underpinned by exceptional written, verbal, and executive-level communication skills. Dedicated to driving excellence through the mentorship of senior engineering talent.
 * Innovation & Industry Impact: A record of delivering large-scale products and technical innovations, evidenced by a history of patents, influential publications, and active standards participation. Committed to advancing the field through strategic thought leadership.
 * Education: Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

## Description

* As a Senior Technical Lead Hardware Board Design Engineer, you will be a recognized expert who shapes multi-year hardware architecture, design standards, and technical strategy for major networking products. You will lead high-impact, cross-functional initiatives, resolve the most complex technical problems, and influence senior leaders through clear engineering judgment and compelling technical decisions. This is an individual contributor role with enterprise-level influence; it does not require people management.
 * Define long-term hardware architecture, power-delivery strategy, design standards, and technology roadmaps for high-performance networking systems.
 * Lead major, multi-disciplinary hardware initiatives from early concept through product release and customer delivery.
 * Act as a senior escalation point for novel or high-risk architectural, signal integrity, power integrity, reliability, field, and manufacturing issues.
 * Develop and communicate technical strategies that align multiple business units and engineering disciplines.
 * Establish reusable methods, constraints, verification practices, and quality standards for board design.
 * Guide senior engineers and technical leaders through architecture reviews, design tradeoffs, and complex investigations.
 * Represent hardware engineering in executive reviews, strategic supplier discussions, standards activities, and selected external technical engagements.
 * Anticipate industry and technology shifts and recommend investments in future hardware capabilities.
 * Drive decisions using simulations, laboratory evidence, product data, and a clear understanding of business impact.