Lead / Principal System Verification Engineer – Optical Networking

Talentlab; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Talentlab in Ottawa, Ontario, is seeking an experienced Lead/Principal System Verification Engineer to help shape a growing optical networking team. You will design and execute verification strategies for DWDM transport systems, driving quality through automated tests, and mentoring junior engineers.

You’ll collaborate with software, hardware, and systems teams to review requirements, implement CI/CD test automation, and advance verification methodologies for long-term product success.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in system verification, integration, or validation in telecoms or networking.
• Hands-on with DWDM optical networking systems and Layer 0/1 tech.
• Strong Python scripting for automated tests.
• Experience testing embedded Linux-based systems and network interfaces.
• Familiar with TCP/IP, Ethernet, OTN, NETCONF/YANG, CLI, or SNMP.
• Knowledge of EDFA, WSS, OCM, OTDR.
• Experience with CI/CD and test automation tools (Jenkins, GitLab).
• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute verification strategies for DWDM optical networking products.
• Develop automated test frameworks and scripts for CI/regression testing.
• Perform end-to-end verification of optical transmission systems (Layer 0/1).
• Validate provisioning, telemetry, upgrades, and management interfaces via CLI, gRPC, and other protocols.
• Test optical performance parameters such as BER, Q-factor, OSNR, and spectrum.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, and systems teams to improve product quality.
• Help establish verification methodologies and test infrastructure for the Ottawa team.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers.

Skills

Python

DWDM

Embedded Linux

Network protocols

CI/CD

Test automation

Optical components

Education

Electrical Engineering or Computer Science degree

Tools

Jenkins

GitLab

Job description

Lead / Principal System Verification Engineer – Optical Networking

Location: Ottawa, ON

Employment Type: Full‑Time, Permanent

We’re partnered with a global technology leader in optical networking and communications infrastructure that is making a significant investment in expanding its engineering presence in Ottawa. As part of this growth, our client is building a team of experienced engineers who will play a key role in developing and delivering the next generation of optical networking technologies.

We’re looking for Lead and Principal System Verification Engineers who bring deep technical expertise in optical networking and are excited by the opportunity to help shape a growing engineering team. Beyond working on sophisticated DWDM optical transport systems, you’ll have the opportunity to influence verification strategies, establish engineering best practices, and contribute to the technical direction of a team being built for long-term growth.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design and execute comprehensive system verification strategies for DWDM optical networking products, covering functional, performance, and reliability testing.
• Develop automated test frameworks and scripts using Python, supporting continuous integration and regression testing.
• Perform end-to-end verification of optical transmission systems, including Layer 0 and Layer 1 performance, signal integrity, and network resilience.
• Validate optical provisioning, alarms, telemetry, software upgrades, and management interfaces using CLI, gRPC, and other network management protocols.
• Test optical performance parameters including BER, Q-factor, OSNR, optical power, and spectrum characteristics.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, and systems engineering teams to review requirements, identify issues, and improve product quality.
• Help establish verification methodologies, test infrastructure, and engineering best practices as the Ottawa team expands.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers, contributing to the development of a strong local engineering team.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in system verification, integration, or validation within telecommunications or networking environments.
• Hands‑on experience with DWDM optical networking systems, optical transport equipment, or related Layer 0 / Layer 1 technologies.
• Strong Python scripting skills and experience developing automated test solutions.
• Experience testing embedded Linux‑based systems and network management interfaces.
• Familiarity with network protocols and management technologies such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, OTN, NETCONF/YANG, CLI, or SNMP.
• Knowledge of optical networking components and technologies such as EDFA, WSS, OCM, and OTDR.
• Experience with CI/CD and test automation tools such as Jenkins or GitLab.
• A degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.

Additional Experience That Would Be Valuable

• Experience with high‑speed optical transponders and 100G, 400G, or 800G optical modules.
• Hands‑on laboratory experience using optical spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and other optical test equipment.
• Experience establishing verification processes, leading technical initiatives, or mentoring engineers.
• Exposure to optical network protection switching, failure recovery, and performance benchmarking.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is a chance to join an established global technology organization while helping build something new in Ottawa. You’ll have the resources and technical challenges of a major industry player, combined with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a growing local engineering team.

We’re considering experienced engineers at both Lead and Principal levels, with opportunities to take technical ownership, influence engineering practices, and grow alongside the organization.