AI Champion

Ciena; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 109,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) plan

ESPP

EAP

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Job summary

Ciena is seeking an AI Champion to lead the practical adoption of AI across ASIC engineering workflows in Ottawa. The role focuses on scalable AI-driven methodologies that improve productivity, quality, and IP protection, while maintaining disciplined validation standards.

The position requires collaboration with design, verification, and physical implementation teams, prioritizing high-impact AI applications and mentoring engineers in AI-enabled workflows.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in ASIC design, verification, or physical design environments.
• 2+ years in applying AI agents and skills in engineering workflows.
• Experience delivering presentations to management audiences.
• Application of project management practices to support structured and disciplined workflows.

Responsibilities

• Drive adoption of AI across ASIC design, verification, and physical design workflows.
• Create and implement AI use cases for RTL design, verification, scripting, documentation, and regression analysis.
• Develop guidance, workflows, and guardrails to enable pragmatic and repeatable AI adoption.
• Evaluate and integrate AI tools, applications, and agentic workflows from internal teams and external vendors.
• Establish standardized methodologies for developing reusable AI agents and skills.
• Collaborate with engineering, CAD, IT, and methodology teams to prioritize and deploy high‑value AI applications.
• Mentor engineering teams on AI‑enabled workflows and promote sharing of outcomes, learnings, and best practices.

Skills

ASIC design experience

AI agents in engineering

Presentation to management

Project management practices

Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

Ciena is seeking an AI Champion to lead the practical adoption of AI across ASIC engineering workflows, improving productivity, quality, and protection of intellectual property. The role focuses on defining scalable AI-driven methodologies that enhance engineering efficiency while maintaining disciplined validation standards. This position plays a critical role in identifying high-impact AI applications across design, verification, and physical implementation.

Please note that this position is based in our Ottawa office and requires in‑person attendance five days a week.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Drive adoption of AI across ASIC design, verification, and physical design workflows
• Create and implement AI use cases for RTL design, verification, scripting, documentation, and regression analysis
• Develop guidance, workflows, and guardrails to enable pragmatic and repeatable AI adoption
• Evaluate and integrate AI tools, applications, and agentic workflows from internal teams and external vendors
• Establish standardized methodologies for developing reusable AI agents and skills
• Collaborate with engineering, CAD, IT, and methodology teams to prioritize and deploy high‑value AI applications
• Mentor engineering teams on AI‑enabled workflows and promote sharing of outcomes, learnings, and best practices

The Must Haves

• Experience : 5+ years in ASIC design, verification, or physical design environments
• Experience: 2+ Years in application of AI agents and skills in engineering workflows, including development and deployment of agent‑based solutions
• Experience delivering presentations to management audiences
• Application of project management practices to support structured and disciplined workflows

Nice To Haves

• Experience with multi‑agent workflows

Pay Range

The annual pay range for this position is C$109,000- C$ 174,000.

Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Non‑Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company‑paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.