Cisco Optical Design Engineer 

China, Shanghai 

72424274

Senior Optical Engineerwith deep expertise in optical transceiver design, particularly in the optical subsystem architecture, component integration, and end-to-end optical performance optimization. As a key technical leader, you will drive the development of next-generation optical modules for high-speed data communication and telecom applications, ensuring superior performance, reliability, and compliance with global standards. This role requires a proven track record of leading complex projects, solving critical technical challenges, and mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Your Impact

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Leadership & Product Development
• Lead the optical design of advanced optical transceivers (e.g., 400G, 800G, 1.6T Ethernet, DWDM, CWDM, etc.), covering the full lifecycle from requirements analysis to prototyping, testing, and mass production.
• Define optical subsystem architecture, including laser/photodetector selection, optical coupling, signal integrity, and packaging design to meet strict power, bandwidth, and cost targets.
• Optimize optical performance parameters (e.g., insertion loss, BER, optical power budget, thermal stability) using simulation tools (Zemax, OptiSystem, Lumerical) and experimental validation.
2. Component & System Integration
• Evaluate and qualify optical components (DFB lasers, EMLs, APDs, PINs, PLC splitters, TOSAs/ROsAs) for reliability and performance, collaborating with suppliers to drive innovation.
• Address complex integration challenges in high-density optical modules, such as crosstalk, thermal management, and polarization-dependent loss (PDL).
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (IEEE 802.3, ITU-T, MSA specifications like QSFP-DD, OSFP, COBO) and regulatory requirements (EMC, safety).
3. Team Collaboration & Mentorship
• Work cross-functionally with hardware, firmware, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to align design goals and resolve technical conflicts.
• Mentor junior engineers on optical design best practices, simulation techniques, and failure analysis, fostering a culture of technical excellence.
• Present technical findings to internal stakeholders and external partners, driving data-driven decisions for product roadmap planning.
4. Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• Track emerging technologies (silicon photonics, co-packaged optics, advanced packaging) and propose novel solutions to enhance product competitiveness.
• Conduct failure mode analysis (FMEA) for optical sub-systems, driving yield improvement and reliability enhancements.
• Contribute to intellectual property (IP) development, including patents and technical whitepapers, to strengthen our market leadership.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field (Bachelor’s with 10+ years of relevant experience will be considered).
• Experience: 10+ years of hands-on experience in optical transceiver design, with a proven track record of delivering 10G to 1.6T+ modules for datacom or telecom markets.
• Technical Expertise:
• In-depth knowledge of optical component physics (laser diode operation, photodetector noise mechanisms, fiber coupling principles).
• Proficiency in optical simulation tools (Zemax, OptiSystem, Lumerical FDTD) and thermal/mechanical analysis (ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Strong understanding of high-speed optical link budgets, signal modulation formats (NRZ, PAM4, Coherent), and DSP-optical subsystem interactions.
• Familiarity with optical packaging technologies (butterfly, COB, COC, silicon photonics integration).
• Soft Skills:
• Exceptional problem-solving skills for complex optical engineering challenges (e.g., low SNR, high BER, thermal drift).
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities, with a history of leading cross-functional teams.
• Self-driven mindset with a passion for innovation and staying ahead of industry trends.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with silicon photonics or advanced materials (PLC, glass photonics).
• Knowledge of automated test equipment (ATE) for optical module characterization.
• Publications or patents in optical communication technologies.