Principal Hardware Architect – ASIC, System Integration

Cisco

. Serve as a key technical authority within Cisco’s networking organization .

Posted 9/21/2026full-timeSan Jose • California • United StatesLead💰 $233,900 - $330,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in system architecture, hardware and software design, and signal integrity, with a strong ability to drive cross-functional collaboration and customer engagement. Proficient in developing technical documentation and presentations that effectively communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences.

Highest-signal resume keywords

System ArchitectureSignal IntegrityHardware And Software DesignCross-Functional CollaborationCustomer Presentation Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

FPGA DesignASIC DesignThermal DesignSystem Bring-UpDebuggingTradeoff EvaluationDocumentationWorkflow DefinitionTechnical Relationship BuildingCustomer-Facing Materials Generation

Soft Skills

Decision-MakingConflict ResolutionPerseveranceFollow-ThroughArticulation Of Complex Concepts

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree In Electrical EngineeringMaster's Degree In Electrical EngineeringPhD In Electrical Engineering

Industry Keywords

NetworkingProduct PortfolioCross-Functional GroupsCustomer EngagementStandards CommitteesTrade ShowsTechnical AuthorityStrategic ProgramsMarketplacesCustomer-Oriented Events

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a key technical authority within Cisco’s networking organization
Drive architectural strategy across internal cross-functional groups and strategic customer accounts
Shape the product portfolio from initial concept through field deployment
Work with multiple Cisco groups and customers on architecture, implementation, design, evangelism, marketing support and account-team engagement
Participate in engagements with current and potential customers
Incorporate customer feedback into future products with product management and engineering
Work with product marketing on future product architectures
Participate in standards committees to influence industry practices
Work with hardware, software and test engineering to deliver quality products
Coordinate with external vendors to ensure products meet future product requirements
Support customer demonstrations at internal labs, demo labs, trade shows and conferences
Author or co-author white papers and user tutorials for the Marketplace
Collaborate with Field Solutions and CSE teams
Provide technical TOI and NPI training at customer-oriented events

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and 15+ years of relevant signal and power integrity experience, or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and 12+ years, or PhD in Electrical Engineering and 8+ years
At least 5 years’ experience driving system architecture of hardware systems
Experience evaluating tradeoffs between signal integrity, power integrity, thermal design, total power consumption, cost and schedule
At least 5 years’ experience driving cross-functional buy-in and approval of complex strategic programs with executive management
At least 5 years’ experience generating, driving cross-functional review of, and presenting customer-facing materials for strategic projects
Proficiency in system architecture, hardware and software design, including FPGA and ASIC design and verification, system bring-up and debug, and thermal design
Ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences, verbally and in writing
Documentation and organizational capabilities, including defining workflows, setting meeting agendas, recording and distributing notes, and driving tradeoffs to resolution
Experience building technical relationships across customer architects, software teams, Cisco cloud, data center and network product teams, and partners
Experience developing presentations, whitepapers and architectural documents
Customer presentation skills and ability to respond dynamically in discussions
Decision-making, conflict resolution, perseverance and follow-through

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental and vision insurance
401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Cisco restricted stock unit grants may be available, vesting following continued employment
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
Paid employee birthday day off
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid days off for personal wellness
16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
Flexible vacation time off program with no defined limit for eligible exempt employees
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
Up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward annually
Additional paid time away for critical or emergency family issues
Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year
Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco policies
Performance-based incentive pay for sales-plan employees