Hardware Engineer

Meet the Team

The Firewall Hardware Team at Cisco is responsible for designing and developing high-performance, secure firewall hardware platforms that protect enterprise, data center, and cloud networks from evolving cyber threats. This team focuses on creating advanced hardware solutions, including FPGA-based crypto accelerators and network processing units, to deliver exceptional throughput, low latency, and robust security features.

We are looking for a skilled and proactive FPGA Design Engineer with 3+ years of industry experience to manage and implement complex digital modules. This role requires proficiency in the full FPGA development lifecycle, including independent RTL coding, verification, high-speed design practices, and debugging on hardware. The Intermediate Engineer is expected to deliver production-quality, optimized designs and contribute directly to system-level integration.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Module Ownership and Implementation:
  Take ownership of complex FPGA sub-modules, from micro-architecture definition to RTL implementation using Verilog/System Verilog or VHDL.
• Design Optimization:
  Actively optimize designs for performance (high clock speed), area utilization, and power consumption, particularly for large, resource-intensive blocks (e.g., DSP pipelines, memory controllers).
• Timing Closure:
  Independently apply and analyze timing constraints, resolve critical timing paths, and successfully achieve timing closure for major functional blocks within the FPGA.
• Verification:
  Develop and enhance functional test benches, verification components, and behavioral models to ensure thorough testing of assigned blocks; participate in formal design and code reviews.
• System Integration:
  Integrate developed IP cores and third-party modules (e.g., PCIe, AXI, DDR) into the top-level FPGA design; actively define interfaces between the FPGA and other system components (e.g., CPU, memory, sensors).
• Hardware Debugging:
  Lead debugging efforts during lab integration and board bring-up using advanced tools like Integrated Logic Analyzer (ILA), high-speed oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers.
• Scripting and Automation:
  Utilize Python and Tcl scripting to automate routine tasks within the synthesis/simulation flow and improve overall design efficiency.

• 3+ years of experience with a Masters' degree or 5+ years of experience with a Bachelors' degree. Experience expected to be in ASIC/FPGA design.
• Proficiency in end-to-end FPGA development process.
• Hands‑on experience with EDA tools such as VCS, Spyglass, and nLint.
• Expertise in verifying complex blocks, clusters, and top-level designs.
• Practical knowledge of System Verilog constraints, structures, and classes.
• Familiarity with TCL and/or Python scripting for automation tasks.

• Strong domain expertise in one or more protocols, including PCIe, Ethernet, DMA, and DDR.
• In‑depth knowledge of L2/L3/L4 networking protocols such as IPSec/DTLS, TLS, TCP/IP/UDP, and a deep understanding of cryptography technologies and algorithms such as AES‑GCM/CBC, EDKHE RSA 2k, etc.
• A structured approach to design and effective problem‑solving skills.
• Experience in x86 and ARM‑based board design.
• Expertise in Ethernet interface design across various speeds (1G/10G/40G/100G/400G).

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.