Senior Optical System Designer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(K) & DCPP with company matching

Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Company-paid holidays, paid sick leave

Paid vacation time

Job summary

Ciena is seeking an experienced Optical Systems Engineer in Canada to define and architect photonic system features and configurations. You will collaborate with Product Line Managers to translate customer requirements into realizable features and drive robust, high-performance optical solutions.

The role requires deep fiber-optic knowledge, strong communication, and the ability to balance complexity with usability while mentoring newer engineers.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of fiber optic communication systems and optical architectures.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proven multitasking and prioritization abilities.
• Experience leading investigations to determine root cause and exposure.

Responsibilities

• Define photonic system features and architectures.
• Architect optical solutions with hardware configurations and features.
• Author the Product Specification Agreement for high-level requirements.
• Clarify and negotiate customer requirements with Product Line Managers.
• Generate creative solutions and trade-offs between options.
• Support customer demonstrations of new features or prototypes.
• Assist with complex field issues escalated from support.
• Interface with multiple teams including verification, design, and planning tools.
• Mentor junior team members.

Skills

Fiber optics know-how

Strong communication

Independent yet collaborative

Multitask and prioritize

RCA coordination and issue analysis

Tools

YANG data models

Network planning tools

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.

Benefits

• 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.

Equal Opportunity & Inclusion

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.