Mechanical Engineer
Cisco · Posted Nov 2
Networking, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT infrastructure services
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About the role
The Product Operations team delivers Cisco's next-generation hardware at scale with quality, operating at the intersection of engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing from New Product Introduction through high-volume production to customer delivery. The role is a Mechanical Product Engineer acting as the technical anchor for products across their full lifecycle, bridging design engineering and manufacturing partners (including EMS/CM and Global Supplier Management). The engineer will drive NPI support, quality and yield improvement, value engineering and BOM integrity, and manufacturing/supply chain collaboration.
What you will do
- Provide end-to-end engineering support from pre-concept through FCS (First Customer Ship), ensuring seamless transitions from development to mass production.
- Engage early with hardware and mechanical design teams to influence component selection and champion Design for Excellence (DfX) and Design for Assembly (DfA) principles.
- Oversee the development and sourcing of mechanical commodities, including sheet metal enclosures, thermal solutions, and customized components.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to develop robust manufacturing processes and cutting-edge technology integration during the NPI phase.
- Provide leadership in the identification, analysis, and resolution of product quality issues during both NPI and sustaining phases.
- Lead and participate in Design and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to proactively mitigate risks.
- Perform Mechanical design analysis and provide technical influence to resolve complex thermal design and cost optimized solutions.
- Manage technical lifecycle activities, including defect reduction initiatives and the qualification of new components.
- Drive cost avoidance and value engineering initiatives during the pre-production release phase.
- Maintain BOM (Bill of Materials) integrity, including proactive BOM structuring and risk management.
- Work with Component Engineering, T&Q, and GSM to optimize design for cost-efficiency without compromising quality.
- Assess and identify technical capability gaps within the CM (Contract Manufacturer) and supply chain ecosystem.
- Develop, analyze, and release comprehensive product documentation for both factory and field environments.
- Conduct design lab experimentation, Design of Experiments (DOE), and debug activities to ensure product robustness.
- Act as the primary technical point of contact for EMS partners, ensuring alignment on quality standards and process execution.
Skills used in this role
What the employer is looking for
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) with 6+ years of relevant experience in hardware product engineering, NPI, and sustaining support.
- Demonstrated experience in a high-volume, high-complexity engineering environment, DFx, FMEA, specifically managing hardware lifecycles from concept to EOL.
Preferred qualifications
- System Hardware Mastery: Comprehensive understanding of system hardware architectures, Mechanical design concepts, and modern engineering development practices.
- Design & Manufacturing Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard tools, including CREO, CAD tools
- Domain Knowledge: Deep understanding of sheet metal fabrication, thermal (fan and heatsinks) fabrication and PCBA assembly process and technology.
- Manufacturing Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of end-to-end manufacturing processes, including fabrication techniques and tooling requirements.
- Change Management: Hands on experience of change management (Ex. ECO/ECN and Deviation release process).
- Tolerance Analysis: Deep understanding of Tolerance Analysis and Mechanical Design Verification tests.
- Packaging: Basic understanding about Packaging Design and Circular Economy.
- Communication & Collaboration: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., GSM, Product Ops, EMS partners).
- Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously, and maintain composure in fast-paced NPI environments.
Benefits and support
- Compensation and benefits are detailed in the job posting
About Cisco
Cisco Systems, Inc. is a worldwide leader in IT, networking, and cybersecurity solutions that transform how people connect, communicate, and collaborate. The company specializes in routing, switching, data center infrastructure, and software-defined networking designed for enterprises of all sizes. Today, Cisco drives major advancements in AI infrastructure, observability, and secure hybrid work platforms.
- Industry
- Networking
- Company size
- 90000+ employees
- Founded
- 1984
- Location
- San Jose, California, USA
- Funding stage
- Public Company
Leadership
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
President and Chief Product Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer
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