Component Engineer – Optical Commodity

Ciena; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ciena in Baltimore is seeking an Optical Component Engineer focused on pluggable optical transceiver components to drive quality, reliability, and supplier engagement across products.

You will define qualification requirements, qualify components, conduct supplier audits, evaluate PCNs, coordinate revisions, and analyze test yields to support design and manufacturing. Bachelor's in EE or Physics and 5+ years in telecom are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics required.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in telecom components.
• Experience with reliability, quality and failure mechanism analysis.

Responsibilities

• Define qualification requirements for pluggable optical transceivers based on industry standards.
• Qualify active optical components and establish qualification strategies for onboarding.
• Conduct supplier audits and track corrective actions through resolution.
• Evaluate PCNs and coordinate internal reviews for closure.
• Coordinate component qualifications for new revisions and vendors.
• Evaluate alternate components to address design or supply challenges.
• Analyze assembly-level test yield trends and drive corrective actions.

Skills

Reliability analysis

Quality analysis

Failure mechanism analysis

Telecommunication standards

Cost reduction initiatives

Cross-functional collaboration

Supplier engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics

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.

Ciena’s Supply Chain Procurement organization is seeking an Optical Component Engineer focused on the Pluggable Optical Transceiver commodity. This role drives component quality, reliability, lifecycle management, and supplier engagement to help ensure reliable optical solutions across Ciena products. Success in this position contributes to product performance, supply continuity, and customer satisfaction through collaboration with sourcing, engineering, and manufacturing partners.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Define qualification requirements for pluggable optical transceivers based on applicable industry standards.
• Qualify active optical components and establish qualification strategies for onboarding and lifecycle management.
• Conduct supplier audits and track corrective actions through resolution.
• Evaluate product change notifications (PCNs), assess reliability impact, and coordinate internal reviews to closure.
• Coordinate component qualifications for new revisions, replacements, and new manufacturers, including approved vendor list changes.
• Evaluate alternate components to address design, supply chain, quality, or availability challenges.
• Analyze assembly-level test yield trends and facilitate corrective actions and design changes when required.

The Must Haves

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics.
• Experience: 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Established application of reliability, quality, and failure mechanism analysis for telecommunication components and assemblies.
• Demonstrated delivery of cost reduction activities.
• Application of telecommunication industry standards including Telcordia, IPC, and JEDEC.
• Ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams and influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Technical application of telecommunication specifications, products, manufacturing processes, and data-driven decision making.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing technical guidance on pluggable optical transceiver manufacturability and production readiness.
• Background driving internal and