Hardware Engineer II, Co-op

Cisco

Hardware Engineer II co-op designing Cisco networking hardware from circuit and board design through high-volume manufacturing. Applying testing, automation, signal integrity, and ASIC/FPGA concepts.

Posted 8/5/2026full-timeSan Jose • California, North Carolina, Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesEntry Level💰 $44,000 - $185,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates proficiency in hardware engineering principles, including circuit design, hardware testing, and validation. Capable of utilizing hardware design tools and programming for automation and data analysis in collaborative environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Hardware Engineering PrinciplesHardware Design ToolsBasic Programming in Python, MATLAB, or C/C++Digital and Analog Circuit DesignFPGA/ASIC Design Flow

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Circuit DesignHardware TestingDebugging TechniquesSignal IntegrityPower DesignSystem/Board DesignValidation and TestAutomation DevelopmentData AnalysisEmbedded System Design

Soft Skills

Excellent Verbal CommunicationExcellent Written CommunicationCollaborative Work

Tools & Technologies

CAD ToolsSimulation SoftwarePCB Design ToolsOscilloscopesLogic AnalyzersMultimeters

Industry Keywords

ASIC DesignHigh-Speed Signal IntegrityPower ElectronicsHardware SecurityManufacturability

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudPythonSwitchingVoIP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Contribute to product development from circuit design through large system design and high-volume manufacturing
Design hardware for products across cloud, social, mobile/wireless, video, VoIP, collaboration, web, routing, switching, IPv6, data center, HPC, and Telepresence categories
Work in areas including ASIC design and verification, system/board design, circuit board layout, hardware automation, validation and test, signal integrity, and power design
Apply hardware engineering knowledge to create and validate designs
Use hardware design tools and software, simulation software, and PCB design tools
Perform hardware testing, debugging, and lab measurements
Develop automation, data analysis, or hardware interface tasks using programming or scripting
Collaborate across business groups and fields on globally impactful products

Requirements

What you’ll need

Currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program with 2 years of relevant experience, or currently enrolled in a graduate degree program with 0 years of relevant experience
Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
Proficient understanding of hardware engineering principles
Experience with hardware design tools and software, including CAD tools, simulation software, and PCB design
Familiarity with hardware testing, debugging techniques, and standard lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters
Basic programming or scripting knowledge in Python, MATLAB, or C/C++
Understanding of digital and analog circuit design concepts
Ability to commit to a 6-month co-op program
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively across business groups and fields
Exposure to hardware security concepts and design for reliability or manufacturability
Familiarity with high-speed signal integrity, power electronics, or embedded system design
Knowledge of FPGA/ASIC design flow; basic VHDL/Verilog understanding is a plus

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
1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid days off for personal wellness
16 days of paid vacation time 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
Additional paid time away for critical or emergency family issues
Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
Annual bonuses may be available for non-sales roles
Cisco careers site benefits and perks