Job Information
Cisco Principal DSP Engineer – Coherent Optical Transmission Systems - Acacia (Remote) in Maynard, Massachusetts
The application window is expected to close on 12/31/25
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.
This role can be performed from any location within the United States.
Meet the Team
Join our team at Acacia, where we design advanced optical transceivers for high-speed fiber optic transmission in data centers and telecommunication networks. We're seeking enthusiastic, experienced individuals to work on the forefront of fiber optic technology. You'll be part of the team developing Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Forward Error Correction (FEC) algorithms for our optical transceivers' Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Collaboration with colleagues from the DSP and ASIC teams is key to optimizing performance and power efficiency. You'll contribute to system design, develop architectures, and support ASIC design and verification. Work closely with colleagues across various fields and gain diverse knowledge in optical system testing, analog components, modeling, and more.
Your Impact
With your expertise in DSP for coherent optical transceivers, FEC, and modeling, you help the team to develop the next generation of low-power and high-performance coherent transceivers. Here are some examples of possible topics:
Invent, simulate and validate new DSP or FEC algorithms (both in floating-point and fixed-point precision) to improve performance and functionality or lower power consumption
Test and optimize these algorithms on actual hardware and correlate performance with previous simulations
Develop models of analog RF and optical components and evaluate system performance with these models
Analyze performance of developed transceiver modules and update models and simulation environments to accurately match the measured results
Minimum Qualifications:
Typically: Bachelors + 15 years of related experience, or Masters + 12 years of related experience, or PhD + 8 years of related experience
- 10 years of industry experience in related fields.
Experience with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and/or Forward Error Correction (FEC) for coherent optical communications.
Experience in modeling communication systems.
Programming experience in C/C++, Python, Matlab, or similar languages.
A master's or Ph.D. degree in mathematics, physics, or electrical engineering is highly recommended, although not strictly required.
Experience with C++, Linux, and version control systems, specifically SVN and Perforce.
Experience with Verilog or VHDL, and/or collaboration with ASIC designers.
Experience presenting technical information to colleagues.
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
.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 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.
Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.
Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.