Senior Optical System Designer

Ciena; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 94,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Employee Stock Purchase Program

401(k) / DCPP

Job summary

Ciena is hiring to advance photonic systems with new hardware configurations and features that improve functionality, robustness, and optical performance. You will define high-level requirements and coordinate across product lines to translate customer needs into concrete designs.

The role emphasizes collaboration across hardware and software teams, mentoring junior members, and addressing complex field issues to ensure robust, scalable optical solutions.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of fiber optic communication systems and optical technologies.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
• Capable of working independently and as part of a team.
• Proven multitasking and prioritization abilities.
• Ability to lead investigations to RCA and distill complex info for customers/executives.
• Understanding of optical link budgeting and applying it to designs.
• Familiar with YANG data model structures and NBI.

Responsibilities

• Author the Product Specification Agreement detailing high-level requirements for new features/architecture.
• Work with Product Line Managers to clarify and negotiate customer requirements.
• Generate creative ideas and trade off acceptable solutions vs. complexity.
• Support or participate in customer demonstrations of new features or prototypes.
• Assist with complex/urgent field issues escalated from support.
• Interface with multiple teams across design, verification, planning, and support; mentor junior members.
• Mentor junior team members.

Skills

Fiber optic knowledge

Communication skills

Independent & team player

Multitasking & prioritization

Investigations & RCA

Optical link budgeting

YANG data model & NBI

Job description

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.

How You Will Contribute

Our team defines the overall photonic system features and architectures, and the control strategies to operate it. In this role you will architect optical solutions, which could be new hardware configurations and/or features that provide customers improved functionality, robustness, ease of use and optical performance.

• Author the Product Specification Agreement which details the high-level requirements of new features or architecture in order for other teams to derive their own detailed implementation details.
• Work with Product Line Managers to clarify & negotiate customer requirements for new features/functionality.
• Generate creative ideas & solutions and to trade off acceptable solutions vs. complexity.
• Support or participate in customer demonstrations of new features or prototypes.
• Assist with complex and/or urgent field issues that have been escalated from the support organization.
• This very varied role requires interfacing and influencing many different teams, such as product verification, other hardware & software design teams, Product Line Management, product support & those developing higher level applications such as MCP and planning tools.
• Mentor junior team members.

Required Skills

• Deep understanding of fiber optic communication systems and optical technologies/architectures including optical propagation & impairments.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills are essential.
• The successful candidate should be capable of working efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Proven ability to multitask and prioritize tasks.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex issues by leading an investigation and coordinating other teams as necessary in order to reach an RCA, and to determine any related exposure to the issue. The candidate should provide evidence of their ability to distill complex information down to a manageable level to present to both customers and executives.
• Understanding of optical link budgeting and application to new designs.
• Familiar with YANG data model structures and NBI.

Assets

• In depth knowledge of the Ciena RLS photonic platforms and its applications.
• Knowledge of network planning and/or optical planning tools
• Knowledge of control loop design

Pay Range

The annual salary range for this position is $94,100 - $150,300 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.

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.

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.