Software Governance Specialist

Ciena; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plan

401K / DCPP

Employee stock purchase

Employee assistance program

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Vacation time

Paid family leave

Job summary

Ciena in Ottawa is seeking a dedicated Software Governance professional to review SBOMs, guide licensing, and oversee governance processes across development teams.

You will partner with engineering and product teams to manage risks related to licenses, IP, security and AI usage, and help shape enterprise policies while staying current with evolving governance frameworks and industry standards. This role offers growth into advisory responsibilities and cross-functional impact.

Qualifications

• Foundational understanding of open source software and licensing concepts.
• Knowledge of basic software licensing principles (open source and commercial).
• Experience with software development environments and governance, compliance, security.
• Basic understanding of AI technologies and governance considerations.
• Awareness of AI trends and architectures (generative AI, agentic systems).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with risk evaluation.
• Excellent communication skills to explain technical topics.
• Proven ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams.
• Self-motivated with desire to grow in governance and advisory roles.

Responsibilities

• Review and approve SBOMs ensuring licensing, security, IP risks addressed.
• Guide use of third-party open source and proprietary software.
• Identify and manage software licensing, IP, security risk with governance focus.
• Maintain Software Governance frameworks and processes.
• Develop policies and best practices for Software Governance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure transparency in software inventory and disclosures.
• Build relationships across teams to promote governance adoption.
• Stay current on AI governance trends and emerging practices.

Skills

Open source licensing

Licensing concepts

Governance

AI governance

Risk assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Self-motivated

Policy development

Security awareness

Tools

SCA tools

DevSecOps

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.

How You Will Contribute

• Review and approve Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) for our products to ensure that open source software components are accurately identified, and that associated licensing, security, and intellectual property risks have been appropriately assessed and addressed.
• Partner with engineering, product line management, and cross‑functional teams to provide guidance on the use of third‑party, open source, and proprietary software, promoting compliant and responsible practices.
• Support the identification and management of risks related to software licensing, intellectual property, security vulnerabilities, and use of AI with a focus on governance processes, best practices, and risk mitigation approaches.
• Maintain and improve Software Governance frameworks, processes, and tools to ensure compliance with company policies, legal requirements, and industry standards.
• Contribute to the development, review, and continuous improvement of policies, procedures, and best practices related to Software Governance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure transparency and accuracy in software inventory, compliance documentation, and customer disclosures.
• Build strong working relationships across teams to drive awareness, accountability, and adoption of governance practices.
• Continuously develop expertise in software licensing, intellectual property, and responsible use of AI, while identifying and analyzing emerging trends and new Software Governance considerations.

The Must Haves

• Foundational understanding of open source software and licensing concepts, including common license types and obligations.
• Knowledge of basic software licensing principles, including both open source and commercial licensing models.
• Practical experience with software development environments and processes, and the role of governance, compliance, and security within the lifecycle.
• Basic understanding of AI technologies and their use in software development and business contexts, including associated governance considerations (e.g., responsible use and risk awareness).
• Awareness of emerging AI trends and architectures (e.g., generative AI, agentic systems) and their potential governance implications.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to assess risks and recommend practical solutions with support structured risk evaluations and documentation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical or compliance‑related topics to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across cross‑functional teams and build positive working relationships.
• Self‑motivated with a strong desire to learn and grow into a broader governance and advisory role.

Nice to Haves

• Working knowledge of software composition analysis (SCA) tools and software vulnerability management practices.
• Deeper understanding of software intellectual property concepts, including copyright, licensing rights, and contractual obligations.
• Familiarity with modern software development and delivery practices, including secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) and integrated DevSecOps environments.
• Experience supporting or contributing to policy development, risk mitigation tracking, audits, or compliance.
• Familiarity with AI governance frameworks and standards (e.g., NIST AI RMF, EU AI Act concepts) and how they map to internal practices and policies.
• Experience identifying and assessing AI‑related risks across the lifecycle (data, model, deployment), including privacy, bias, security, and regulatory exposure, and support structured risk evaluations and documentation.

Growth Opportunity

Role

This role is designed to evolve over time. Initially focused on open source Software Governance, the successful candidate will progressively expand their scope to include:

• Providing guidance on software licensing strategy and commercial licensing considerations
• Supporting governance initiatives related to the company’s responsible use of AI
• Contributing to the definition and evolution of enterprise policies, procedures, and Software Governance frameworks

This position offers a unique opportunity to build a broad and impactful skill set within the Legal and Intellectual Property domain, while working closely with technical and business teams.

The annual pay range for this position is $69,300 - $110,700 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.