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Photonics Packaging Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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As a Photonic Packaging Engineer at PHIX, you will be developing and refining innovative PIC ... Hold an MSc. degree in photonics/optical science, physics, electrical engineering, microelectronics ...

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Photonic Packaging Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$136K - $198K/yr

As a Photonic Packaging Engineer in Cisco's elite Optics group, you won't just build components-you ... NET * Knowledge of photonics, fiber optics and semiconductor lasers Why Cisco? At Cisco, we're ...

Are you a hard-working and proactive engineering leader with a curiosity about optics, photonics ... You will bring deep familiarity with advanced packaging technologies (including 2.5D/3D near and co ...

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Photonics Packaging Engineer information

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How much do photonics packaging engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for photonics packaging engineer in the United States is $42.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.69 and $49.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a photonics packaging engineer do?

A Photonics Packaging Engineer specializes in designing, developing, and testing the packaging solutions for photonic devices such as lasers, optical fibers, and sensors. Their work ensures that these devices are protected, efficiently connected, and can operate reliably in various environments. They address challenges related to thermal management, alignment, and integration with electronic components. These engineers often collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring photonic products from concept to production.

What are some typical challenges faced by photonics packaging engineers during the product development cycle?

Photonics Packaging Engineers often encounter challenges related to ensuring thermal stability, optical alignment, and maintaining signal integrity within compact form factors. Managing the integration of delicate optical components with electronic systems, while also considering manufacturability and cost, requires close collaboration with design, test, and manufacturing teams. Adapting to evolving industry standards and rapidly advancing photonics technology also means continuous learning and problem-solving throughout the development process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a photonics packaging engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Photonics Packaging Engineer, you need a strong background in optics, materials science, and mechanical or electrical engineering, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, optical simulation tools, cleanroom processes, and industry standards like IPC or ISO is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong teamwork and communication skills set top performers apart. These competencies are crucial for designing reliable photonic devices, ensuring precise assembly, and collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

What is the difference between Photonics Packaging Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectPhotonics Packaging EngineerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in optical, electrical, or mechanical engineering; certifications in photonics or optical systemsBachelor's or higher in optical, electrical, or physics; certifications in optics or photonics
Work EnvironmentManufacturing facilities, R&D labs, cleanroomsResearch labs, design offices, testing facilities
Industry UsageTelecommunications, laser systems, data communicationsOptical systems design, imaging, laser applications

Photonics Packaging Engineers focus on designing and assembling optical components into robust packages, ensuring performance and reliability. Optical Engineers primarily develop and analyze optical systems and components. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, Photonics Packaging Engineers work more in manufacturing and integration, whereas Optical Engineers focus on system design and analysis.

What are popular job titles related to Photonics Packaging Engineer jobs?

For Photonics Packaging Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Photonics Packaging Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,120 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

Photonic Packaging Engineer

Carlsbad, CA

Cisco
Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Wholesalers • 10K+ employees

$136K - $198K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Provide engineering support for Cisco's photonic assembly packaging tools.

  • Gather and analyze data from automated packaging processes to improve subassemblies and manufacturing platforms.

  • Design, build, and test prototypes of electromechanical assemblies for automated manufacturing and testing.


Cisco Systems rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 10/26/2026

This is an onsite role and will require working out of our Carlsbad, CA office location.

Meet the Team:

The Common Hardware Group (CHG) creates innovative hardware platforms central to the AI era, powering Cisco's core Switching, Routing, and Wireless products for organizations globally. Our innovations in silicon, optics, and hardware platforms-like Silicon One-are shaping the technology industry. We're a global team of creative experts, bringing our unique backgrounds and bold ideas to push boundaries and help each other grow. Because full product development-from design to qualification to production-is within our team, we're able to think differently, experiment more, and work quickly. Join us to power the future of the digital world.

Your Impact:

Step into the ultra-fast lane of next-generation infrastructure and redefine the future of high-speed optical connectivity. As a Photonic Packaging Engineer in Cisco's elite Optics group, you won't just build components-you will engineer the very foundation of Silicon Photonics, crafting advanced packaging platforms and cutting-edge electromechanical assemblies that power global networks. Leveraging state-of-the-art AI/ML analytics, automation, and high-volume manufacturing innovations, you'll directly shape technologies as they evolve from early prototype to global deployment. If you are ready to collaborate across global engineering teams, solve industry-defining physics and assembly challenges, and spearhead the optical revolution, this is your chance to make a lasting mark on technology before the rest of the world catches up.

  • Core Role & Prototyping: Photonic Packaging Engineers develop next-generation packaging platforms, novel subassemblies, and electromechanical prototypes for Cisco's Silicon Photonics Integrated Circuits and chipsets.

  • Automation & Advanced Analytics: Automate assembly systems and apply AI/ML and analytics to optimize high-volume manufacturing, simulate edge cases, and enhance diagnostic usability across the product lifecycle.

  • Global Leadership & Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional hardware, software, and manufacturing teams globally to drive project delivery, support international deployments, and mentor engineers on AI-assisted tools.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelors + 7 years of related experience, or Masters + 4 years of related experience, or PhD + 1 year of related experience

  • Hardware/process automation experience

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in hardware/software automation of photonics assembly/test.

  • Experience with machine vision in an automation environment.

  • Data analysis (SQL/JMP) in a semiconductor production environment

  • Software development using C# on .NET

  • Knowledge of photonics, fiber optics and semiconductor lasers

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 $136,500.00 to $198,500.00 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 ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto 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:

$154,900.00 - $259,100.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$136,500.00 - $228,300.00

* 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.


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About Cisco Systems

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Cisco Systems, a global tech titan based in San Jose, CA, US, operates in the information technology and services industry. Founded in 1984, the company was derived from a project between two computer scientists from Stanford University. They aimed to connect different networks of computer systems at the university, resulting in the first multi-protocol router, and subsequently, the birth of Cisco. As an industry-leading manufacturer of networking hardware and telecommunications equipment, Cisco's product and services range includes routers, switches, firewall devices, and telecommunication technology. The company's mission, "to shape the future of the Internet by creating unprecedented value and opportunity for our customers, employees, investors, and ecosystem partners," is a testament to its pursuit of technology-forward innovation and customer satisfaction.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Jose, CA, US

Year founded

1984

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