Generative AI Prompt Engineer, Network Troubleshooting & Automation

Ciena; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 81,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology leader in networking solutions is seeking a Generative AI Prompt Engineer in Ottawa, Canada. The role involves designing prompts for network troubleshooting and collaborating with experts to enhance AI reasoning. Candidates should have 5+ years in networking, a strong grasp of networking fundamentals, and experience in LLMs. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(K) with company matching

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Paid sick leave and vacation time

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a technical networking role like NOC Engineer or Network Architect.
• Deep understanding of networking fundamentals.
• 1+ years of experience with Large Language Models (LLMs).

Responsibilities

• Design a library of prompts for network troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with SMEs to create structured instructions.
• Analyze agent performance to improve AI reasoning.

Skills

Prompt engineering

Network troubleshooting

Technical networking

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

Optical Networking knowledge

Packet Networking knowledge

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Generative AI Prompt Engineer, Network Troubleshooting & Automation role at Ciena.

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Direct message the job poster from Ciena.

Responsibilities

• Design and refine a library of prompts and workflows for network troubleshooting, including fault isolation, alarm correlation, and performance analysis.
• Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to translate expert troubleshooting methodologies into structured, machine-readable instructions.
• Build reasoning loops for AI agents that mimic iterative diagnostic processes, enabling hypothesis generation, command execution, and decision-making.
• Develop prompts leveraging Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) techniques to query and reason over Ciena’s extensive knowledge base.
• Analyze agent performance using KPIs like diagnostic accuracy, resolution time, and response clarity, iterating to improve AI reasoning and collaboration.
• Stay ahead of the curve by researching the latest prompt engineering techniques and AI architectures.

The Must Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Network Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years in a technical networking role such as NOC Engineer, Technical Support Engineer, or Network Architect.
• Deep understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP / IP, Ethernet, and protocols like SNMP and gNMI / gRPC.
• Expertise in either Optical Networking (DWDM, OTN, coherent optics) or Packet Networking (BGP, MPLS, Segment Routing).
• 1+ years of hands-on experience with Large Language Models (LLMs) and a passion for generative AI.
• Proven skills in prompt engineering, including few-shot / zero-shot prompting and context structuring.
• Basic proficiency in Python for testing and automation tasks.

The Assets

• Direct experience troubleshooting Ciena’s hardware or software portfolio (e.g., 6500 Family, Waveserver, Blue Planet).
• Knowledge of agentic reasoning architectures like ReAct (Reason+Act) and planning models like MCP (Model-Capabilities-Plan).
• Experience with multi-agent systems (MAS) and communication protocols like Google’s Agent-to-Agent (A2A) framework.
• Familiarity with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems and AI / ML frameworks like LangChain or LlamaIndex.
• Hands-on experience with conversational AI agents, chatbots, or virtual assistants.
• Master’s degree in a relevant technical field.

Pay Range

Canada : $81,600.00 - $130,400.00 CDN

USA : $91,000 - $145,400.00 USD

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. Pay range information pertains to the primary location listed.

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.

Company Information & Equal Opportunity

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community to get relevant job alerts straight to your inbox.

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.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Engineering and Information Technology
• Industries: Telecommunications