Senior Optical Logical Deployment Engineer - Ciena Networks

Virgin Media O2; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive reward package

Support for work-life balance

Opportunity for in-person connections

Job summary

A leading telecommunications company is seeking a Senior Optical Logical Deployment Engineer to join their Core IP and Optical configuration team. This role requires expertise in Ciena networks and substantial experience in optical networking. Responsibilities include deploying configurations, ensuring deployment standards, and providing technical support. Candidates should hold a relevant degree or equivalent and exhibit flexibility in working hours. The company fosters a collaborative environment prioritizing diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Expertise in Ciena Networks is essential.
• Experience in telecommunications or large‑scale enterprise network is vital.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in relevant field is required.

Responsibilities

• Deploy optical network configurations meeting design requirements.
• Ensure deployment adheres to engineering standards with minimal customer impact.
• Provide technical support for non-standard work orders.
• Complete handover activities for the deployment of optical networks.

Skills

Subject Matter Expertise in Ciena Networks

Knowledge of optical networking protocols

Experience in optical networking

Flexible working behavior

Education

Degree, HNC or equivalent in computing or telecommunications

Tools

Agile methodology

Ciena Vendor accreditation

Infinera Vendor accreditation

Symmetricom and Oscilloquartz Vendor accreditation

Job description

Senior Optical Logical Deployment Engineer - Ciena Networks

Apply to join Virgin Media O2 as a Senior Optical Logical Deployment Engineer - Ciena Networks.

Summary

Location: London, Peterborough, Reading, Slough

Job Family: Digital & Technology

Job Type: Full Time

Posted Date: 07-Jan-2026

Reference: 71078

We have a great new role for a Senior Optical Logical Deployment Engineer to join our Core IP & Optical logical configuration team. We ideally need an SME in Ciena networks. We will be building the whole of the core network, moving from Ethernet to MPLS solutions, and this role is key to ensure its success.

Responsibilities

• Deploy logical optical network configurations and software updates that meet planning and design requirements for network capacity build, security, lifecycle refresh, maintenance and feature code upgrades, new service or infrastructure technologies and improvement plans.
• Ensure optical network infrastructure deployment meets engineering and design standards, minimises the customer impact and adheres to configuration and change management processes and controls.
• Provide technical support and guidance to the DBD gateway team when requested, for configuration and integration of complex, low volume or non‑standard works orders including tailored solutions and first‑of‑type work.
• Define and complete handover activities with operations, partner organisations and other stakeholders on deployment of optical network infrastructure and provide incident and problem management support during a warranty period until adoption into the production environment is completed.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Subject Matter Expertise in Ciena Networks.
• Knowledge of optical networking protocols, technologies and vendors.
• Considerable experience in optical networking within a telecommunications carrier, ISP or large‑scale enterprise network environment.
• Degree, HNC or equivalent in computing, telecommunications or related experience.
• Flexible working behaviour to work out of hours on a regular basis.

Additional Desired Experience

• Ciena Vendor accreditation.
• Infinera Vendor accreditation and five years’ experience.
• Synchronisation: Symmetricom and Oscilloquartz Vendor accreditation.
• Use of an Agile methodology.

Our Environment

We’re a flexible‑first organisation, supporting meaningful collaboration. We encourage at least eight days of in‑person connection each month, whether through team meetings, offsites, volunteering days, cross‑functional projects or away days.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Virgin Media O2 is an equal‑opportunities employer, actively working to remove bias and barriers. We embed equity and inclusion into all aspects of our organization and encourage you to be your authentic self throughout your application journey.

What's in it for you

Our goal is to celebrate our people and create an inclusive, diverse culture that empowers everyone. You get a comprehensive reward package with benefits and extras designed to support you and your loved ones.

Next Steps

After applying, we review applications and conduct interviews. If successful, the process moves to a technical and competency interview. We may adjust the closing date and the interview schedule will depend on the progress of the advert.

If you require adjustments for the recruitment process, let us know, and we’ll discuss it with you.

All roles require a criminal record check and some may need a financial probity check.