Hardware Design Co-Op (Winter 2027 - 4 Months)

Ciena Careers; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Vacation pay as required by law

Job summary

Ciena in Ottawa is seeking a hands-on Electrical Engineering student for a 4-month work term starting January 2027 to contribute to hardware quality and lifecycle management of Packet Optical products.

You will review components, run hardware verification, debug prototype hardware with test equipment, and modify circuit packs to support testing and issue resolution.

Qualifications

• Actively enrolled in a degree program in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Familiarity with lab test equipment and measurement techniques.
• Understanding of high speed signaling and analog/digital design.

Responsibilities

• Review alternate components for 2nd source qualification and obsolescence.
• Execute hardware verification plans and debug prototype hardware using test equipment.
• Debug hardware investigations of field issues and modify circuits as needed.

Skills

High-speed signaling

Lab test equipment familiarity

PCB schematic capture

PCB layout tools

Education

Actively enrolled in Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Test sets

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.

The Opportunity:

4 month work term, starting January 2027

Join the Packet-Optical HW Development team to contribute to hardware quality and life cycle management for Ciena’s Packet Optical platform products. The role includes hardware work on products in the field and component obsolescence issues, with opportunities to work across diverse teams and build hands-on experience.

How you will make an impact:

• Review alternate components for 2nd source qualification and obsolescence.
• Execute hardware verification plans and debug prototype hardware using test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic/network analyzers, protocol/signal generators etc.
• Debug hardware investigations of field issues.
• Modify circuit packs to enable testing or to fix issues uncovered during testing.

The must haves:

• Education: Actively enrolled in a degree program in Electrical Engineering or equivalent,
• Familiarity with lab test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers and test sets) and measurement techniques.
• Understanding of high speed signaling, transmission lines, digital and analog design.

Nice to haves:

• Experience designing and debugging hardware.
• Experience with PCB schematic capture and layout tools.

Pay range:

The hourly pay range for this position is $25.50-$35.00/hour

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.

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.