Senior Optical Engineer

Ciena Corporation; Milano; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ciena in Milano, Italy is seeking an experienced Senior Optical Engineer to contribute to the design, development, testing, and commercialization of advanced optical technologies.

You will design PICs, develop optical subsystems, and lead optical characterization while collaborating with hardware, software, manufacturing and systems teams to deliver scalable photonics solutions across the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Optics, Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years hands-on experience designing, testing, and optimizing photonic/optical systems.
• Experience designing/simiulating PICs using Lumerical or VPIphotonics or equivalents.
• Experience with optical amplification technologies (EDFA/Raman/SOA).
• Python for instrument control, automation, data processing.
• Hands-on experience with optical characterization and calibration equipment.
• Experience with fiber-optic tech: alignment, coupling, splicing, integration.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and optimize PICs and optical modules for telecom and photonics applications.
• Develop and implement optical test setups for component and system-level testing.
• Define and document optical test plans, data collection, and analysis.
• Use Python to automate test environments and instrument control.
• Support transition of optical products from R&D to manufacturing, ensuring scalability.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, manufacturing, and systems teams to resolve cross-disciplinary challenges.
• Provide design optimization recommendations based on data analyses.
• Identify risks and drive root-cause analysis in optical systems.

Skills

PIC design

Optical testing

Cross-functional collaboration

English communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Optics/Photonic/Physics/EE

Tools

Lumerical

VPIphotonics

Python

Optical Spectrum Analyzers

Optical Power Meters

Tunable Lasers

Polarization Controllers

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.

Senior Optical Engineer (Individual Contributor)

Ciena is seeking an experienced Senior Optical Engineer to join our multidisciplinary team and contribute to the design, development, testing, and commercialization of advanced optical and photonic technologies. This role will be a hands‑on technical contributor responsible for designing photonic integrated circuits (PICs), developing optical subsystems, executing optical characterization activities, and supporting products throughout the full lifecycle from concept through manufacturing. The successful candidate will work closely with cross‑functional teams including hardware, software, manufacturing, and systems engineering to deliver innovative optical solutions that support Ciena’s next‑generation networking and photonics roadmap.

How You Will Make an Impact:

• Design, simulate, and optimize photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and optical modules for telecommunications, optical amplification, sensing, and related photonics applications.
• Develop and implement discrete optical setups for component, subsystem, and system-level testing, calibration, and validation.
• Define, execute, and document optical test plans, including measurement methodologies, data collection, performance analysis, and reliability validation.
• Utilize Python scripting to automate test environments, control laboratory instruments, perform data analysis, and improve engineering efficiency.
• Support the transition of optical products from research and development into manufacturing by ensuring scalability, repeatability, quality, and operational readiness.
• Collaborate closely with hardware, electronics, software, systems, and manufacturing teams to resolve interdisciplinary technical challenges and ensure successful product integration.
• Analyze optical performance data and provide recommendations for design optimization, product enhancements, and performance improvements.
• Identify technical risks, troubleshoot complex optical issues, and drive root-cause analysis activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to product design, testing methodologies, and engineering processes.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to project teams while supporting the successful execution of development programs.

The Must Haves:

• Education: Master's or Ph.D. degree in Optics, Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience: 5+ years of hands‑on experience designing, testing, and optimizing photonic and optical systems.
• Strong experience in the design and simulation of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) using tools such as Lumerical, VPIphotonics, or equivalent photonic design platforms.
• Experience designing, optimizing, and testing optical amplification technologies, including EDFA, Raman, SOA, or related amplification architectures.
• Proficiency in Python for instrument control, laboratory automation, data processing, and engineering analysis.
• Hands‑on experience setting up and operating optical characterization and calibration equipment, including Optical Spectrum Analyzers, Optical Power Meters, Tunable Lasers, Polarization Controllers, and related laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience with fiber‑optic technologies, including optical alignment, coupling, splicing, and integration with photonic devices and subsystems.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex optical and photonic systems.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience with optical communication systems, including optical amplifiers, coherent communication systems, sensors, or other advanced photonic technologies.
• Knowledge of photonic device packaging and integration, including thermal, mechanical, and manufacturability considerations.
• Experience supporting product transfer from R&D into manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with version control tools such as Git.
• Experience working in Agile development environments.
• Knowledge of manufacturing test methodologies, reliability validation, and product qualification activities.
• Experience working within telecommunications, networking, optical transport, or high‑technology product development organizations.
• Familiarity with photonic system modeling, signal integrity analysis, and optical performance optimization techniques.

#LI-MP2 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.