Principal Systems Developer - Acacia Optical Networks
Cisco · Kanata, Canada · Product and Engineering
About this role
Cisco is hiring a principal-level Principal Engineer in the software engineering function based in Kanata, Canada. The posting calls out experience with Python, Data Analytics, Automation. Compensation is listed at $194,900–$247,200 per year.
- Role
- Principal Engineer
- Function
- software engineering
- Level
- principal
- Track
- Tech leadership
- Employment
- Full-time
- Location
- Kanata, Canada
- Department
- Product and Engineering
- Posted
- May 18, 2026
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Job description
from Cisco careersJob posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Meet the Team
Acacia designs intelligent optical interconnect products using advanced signal processing and photonic integration for 100G, 400G, 1T, and beyond. Our technologies are deployed across data center, metro, long-haul, and ultra-long-haul optical networks, helping enable the next generation of high-speed communications.
At Acacia, you’ll work alongside experts across DSP, ASIC, optics, photonics, software, hardware, systems, and application engineering in a collaborative environment passionate about innovation, technical excellence, and customer success.
Your Impact
As a Principal Systems Developer, you will be a senior individual contributor who plays a critical role in defining, aligning, and enabling next-generation optical products across multiple engineering teams. This role is primarily internally focused and sits at the intersection of Product Management, System Application Engineering, and R&D.
You will help translate market needs into clear product and system requirements, drive technical tradeoff discussions, identify and close cross-functional gaps, and contribute to the successful development and deployment of advanced optical solutions. Depending on business needs and your experience, the role may also include selective customer-facing engagement.