Development Engine – Security Engineering Co-Op (Winter 2026)

Ciena; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Ottawa is looking for a co-op/intern for their Security Infrastructure team. The ideal candidate will develop features for the Secure Signing Platform (CSSP), requiring strong programming skills in C/C++ and Python. Responsibilities include collaborating with teams to ensure secure software development. Competitive compensation, paid sick leave, and vacation pay are offered.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Company-paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Vacation pay

Qualifications

• Excellent command of C/C++, Python, Shell Scripting.
• Knowledge of cryptographic concepts related to cryptographic keys and secure protocols.
• Experience developing secure and reliable microservices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement features for the Ciena Secure Signing Platform (CSSP).
• Collaborate with product development teams for code signing and secure manufacturing.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and analysis of implemented solutions.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Shell Scripting

Cryptographic concepts

Microservices development

Database knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering

Tools

Linux

Windows

SQL

Elastic

MongoDB

WolfSSL

OpenSSL

Job description

Overview

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

Responsibilities

• Reporting to Senior Manager, Software Engineering Applications, as a co-op/intern, Security Infrastructure and Tools, with primary focus on the development of the Ciena Secure Signing Platform (CSSP).
• The CSSP platform supports mission-critical operations such as code signing, secure manufacturing and RMA. Supported products include: WaveLogic, Waveserver, O-NID, RLS, ELS, and RSP across multiple generations.
• Develop and implement features for the CSSP platform, integrate security tools, and contribute to its architectural evolution. Develop and maintain automated pipelines for security tooling within a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC). Collaborate with product development teams to guide complex workflows for code signing, secure manufacturing and RMA informed by CSSP knowledge.
• Act as an internal security champion, collaborating with engineers, architects, managers, factory primes, and other personnel at different security quality gates and stages of the secure software development process; undertake regular risk assessments and analysis of implemented solutions.

Must Haves

• Excellent command of C/C++, Python, Shell Scripting.
• Knowledge of cryptographic concepts related to cryptographic keys, secure protocols (high level e.g. TLS), public key infrastructures and crypto libraries such as WolfSSL or OpenSSL.
• Experience developing secure and reliable microservices, deploying to production with resiliency, redundancy, and performance optimization.
• Working knowledge of databases, implementing schemas with backends such as SQL, Elastic or Mongo or other No-SQL DBs.
• Knowledge of all aspects of credential management with functional knowledge of PKIs.

Assets

• Experience developing tools to support secure boot and hardware root of trust.
• Interest in working with post-quantum encryption-enabled hardware and secure manufacturing flows integrating post-quantum encryption.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Environments: Linux, Windows.

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.

In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers students access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation pay as required by applicable laws.

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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.