Hardware Tech Lead -Optomechanical Engineer

Role details

The application window is expected to close on: 10/17/2026 Meet the Team The Outshift by Cisco team is one of Cisco’s most innovative organizations, driving the next generation of transformative technologies and business opportunities. As part of the Strategy, Incubation & Applications group led by Cisco’s Chief Strategy Officer, you will collaborate with some of the company’s most forward-thinking researchers, engineers, and technology leaders. Within the Outshift Quantum Research team and Quantum Labs, we are pioneering the design and development of practical, scalable, and efficient quantum networking technologies — building blocks for the future Quantum Internet. Our multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers is dedicated to advancing the state of the art in quantum networking, distributed quantum systems, and quantum-enabled applications. Your Impact Cisco Quantum Research Team is seeking a Optomechanical Engineer to support our Quantum Experimental Team that is central to the physical realization of Cisco's deployable quantum hardware platforms. In this role: You will take delicate breadboard and benchtop optical setups developed in R&D and re-engineer them into compact, vibration-isolated, and manufacturable 19-inch rack-mount chassis. You will solve critical thermal expansion, structural deformation, and drift challenges, maintaining sub-micron kinematic alignment across wide operating temperature and mechanical shock/vibration profiles. You will establish standardized mounting, fiber routing, and precision adjustment mechanisms that enable fast, repeatable assembly, testing, and servicing without requiring time-consuming manual alignment on customer sites. Design compact, modular, and ruggedized enclosures (1U–4U chassis) for precision free-space optics, fiber-to-chip interfaces, laser sources, and photonic devices. Design the layout of free-space optics, fiber-to-chip interfaces, laser sources, and photonic devices inside each enclosure capable of maintaining ultra-high alignment stability over extended operational lifespans. Perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for structural deformation, thermal expansion (CTE matching), and heat dissipation in enclosed optical modules. Design active and passive vibration isolation systems to protect sensitive optical paths from internal cooling fan vibrations and external data center acoustic/structural noise. Conduct comprehensive tolerance stack-up analyses (GD&T) to guarantee optical alignment budgets and component interchangeable assembly tolerances. Build, assemble, and validate initial optomechanical prototypes in the lab, testing for thermal drift, mechanical stability, optical loss, and vibration susceptibility. Collaborate with optical physicists and systems engineers to characterize insertion loss, beam quality, and phase stability across environmental stress screening (ESS). Work with vendors and machine shops to select specialized materials, precision machining methods, custom optical coatings, and surface finishes. Minimum Qualifications Bachelors + 8 years of related experience, or Masters + 6 years of related experience, or PhD + 3 years of related experience, or equivalent related work experience. 2+ years experience in optomechanical design, precision mechanism design, or optoelectronic packaging for commercial, aerospace, or telecom applications. Experience in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Creo) and FEA tools (ANSYS, COMSOL, or SolidWorks Simulation) for structural, thermal, and modal analysis. Experience with GD&T (ASME Y14.5), kinematic design principles, CTE matching techniques, and micron-level precision adjustment mechanisms. Experience packaging free-space optics, fiber launches, photonic devices, or laser assemblies into enclosed hardware products. Preferred Qualifications Experience with deployment of hybrid systems including free-space optics, fiber systems, integrated photonic device in data center environment. Experience with standard optical telecommunication components and architecture, as well as designing or operating optical data center rack systems. Experience with scaling quantum R&D prototypes into standardized, customer-ready 19 inch rack solution. Expereince in collaborating with systems engineers to perform co-dependent tolerance, thermal, and mechanical safety margin analyses across chassis and rack boundaries. Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively across scientific and engineering teams. 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 $151,300.00 to $216,200.00 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