Photonics Engineer Remote Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The application window is expected to close on: 06/29/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.
This is a remote role based in the USA.
Meet The Team
Join Cisco's Process & Automation group and revolutionize optics manufacturing! We're seeking a dynamic Mechanical Engineer to design, develop, and optimize our automated optics assembly processes. You'll be instrumental in establishing robust, repeatable process capability, expanding production capacity through scalable solutions, and ensuring exceptional quality that consistently surpasses product and process standards. Your expertise will directly accelerate new product introduction (NPI) success, drive production efficiency, and uphold our unwavering commitment to excellence in optics manufacturing.
You're Impact
• Lead and program manage the development and release to manufacturing of creative silicon photonic components. The NPPM is responsible for handling the product lifecycle from pre-concept commit to First Production Shipment (FPS) of these components.
• Partner with Silicon Photonics Business Units (BUs), Product Line Management (PLM), and Engineering teams.
• Lead a cross-functional team from Cisco Silicon Photonics Operations to deliver wafer-level and component-level silicon photonic devices.
• Be accountable to meet time-to-market requirements, component cost targets, wafer yield goals, and volume ramp plans for these foundational elements.
• You are an authority in the manufacturing and supply chain management of silicon photonic components, including wafer fabrication and assembly processes.
• Extraordinary program management skills, with a focus on NPI for semiconductor/photonic components.
• Leading cross-functional teams to achieve results by identifying and aligning to shared goals, priorities, and dedications. Able to hold peers, partners, and yourself accountable.
• Understanding of silicon photonic component design and development methodologies, including Process Design Kits (PDKs) and foundry processes.
• In-depth understanding of silicon photonics technology, wafer fabrication processes (e.g., lithography, etching, deposition), and component-level packaging and test.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to lead teams to solve complex technical and business problems related to wafer processing, yield enhancement, and component characterization.
• Ability to influence key partners, senior leaders, and external partners, including semiconductor foundries and assembly houses.
Minimum Qualifications
• 10+ years minimum experience in supply chain, semiconductor manufacturing, wafer fabrication, component development, or product development.
• Bachelor of Science (BA/BS) degree in Engineering (Electrical, Materials, Optical) or equivalent experience.
• Experience working on new product introductions with semiconductor manufacturers, external foundries, assembly suppliers, and product development teams, specifically for silicon photonics components.
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 $159,800.00 to $202,300.00 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:
$159,800.00 - $232,600.00
Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$141,700.00 - $206,400.00
* 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.