Hardware Engineer - New Grad

Ciena; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K/Canada plan with company matching

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Employee Assistance Program

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Vacation time

Job summary

Ciena, a global leader in high-speed connectivity, seeks a new graduate to join the digital hardware design team in Ottawa. You will contribute to design, validation and debugging of next‑gen networking hardware powering global communications infrastructure.

Collaborating across FPGA, software, systems and manufacturing teams, you will perform schematic capture, PCB reviews and hardware bring‑up, while analyzing SI/PI and debugging complex digital interfaces.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Electrical or Computer Engineering or equivalent.
• Strong fundamentals in digital logic and circuit analysis.
• Familiarity with microprocessors, FPGAs, CPLDs, memories and digital interfaces.
• Knowledge of I2C, SPI, UART, MDIO, Ethernet, PCIe, DDR and JTAG protocols.
• Experience with lab measurement equipment and debugging techniques.
• Excellent problem solving, analytical and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop complex PCBs for networking products.
• Collaborate with FPGA, software, systems, mechanical and manufacturing teams.
• Develop digital circuit designs with processors, FPGAs, memories and high-speed interfaces.
• Perform schematic capture, PCB layout reviews and hardware bring-up on prototypes.
• Debug hardware issues during development, manufacturing and system integration.
• Analyze signal integrity, timing and power integrity; identify root causes.
• Conduct lab characterization, testing, documentation and design reviews.

Skills

Digital logic design

Microprocessors

FPGAs

CPLDs

Memories

Digital interfaces

I2C/UART/SPI

Ethernet/PCIe

DDR

JTAG

Lab measurement

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent

Tools

Cadence

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:

The Packet-Optical Hardware Development team is seeking an enthusiastic and innovative new graduate to join the digital hardware design team. The role contributes to the design, implementation, validation, and debugging of next-generation networking platforms that power global communications infrastructure. As part of a multidisciplinary development team, the role contributes to high-performance digital hardware used across Ciena’s networking products.

How you will make an impact:

• Participate in the design and development of complex printed circuit boards for networking and telecommunications products.
• Collaborate with FPGA, software, systems, mechanical, and manufacturing teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Develop and implement digital circuit designs involving processors, FPGAs, memories, high-speed interfaces, and supporting circuitry.
• Perform schematic capture, PCB layout reviews, and hardware validation and bring-up activities on prototype designs.
• Debug hardware issues uncovered during development, manufacturing, and system integration, including digital interfaces and communication protocols.
• Analyze signal integrity, timing, power integrity, and hardware failures, and identify root causes.
• Execute lab characterization, performance testing, design verification, engineering documentation, test plans, reports, design reviews, component evaluations, and process improvements.

The must haves:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of digital logic design fundamentals.
• Familiarity with microprocessors, FPGAs, CPLDs, memories, and digital interfaces.
• Knowledge of digital communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, MDIO, Ethernet, PCIe, DDR, and JTAG.
• Understanding of circuit analysis fundamentals including analog and digital electronics.
• Familiarity with laboratory measurement equipment and debugging techniques.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, communication, and teamwork skills; demonstrated initiative, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

Nice to haves:

• Experience: Co-op or internship experience in hardware development.
• Experience with Cadence schematic capture and PCB design tools.
• Familiarity with high-speed digital design concepts and signal integrity considerations.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python, TCL, or Bash.
• Understanding of networking technologies and telecommunications systems.
• Experience with embedded systems development and hardware/software integration.

Pay range:

The annual pay range for this position is $62,600 - 100,000 CAD.

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 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 anEqual 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.