Consulting Solution Engineer

Ciena Corporation; Petaluma (CA); Hybrid; USD 169,100 - 270,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(K) matching

Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

Paid sick leave and vacation time

Job summary

Ciena Corporation, located in Petaluma, CA, seeks a Consulting Solution Engineer to manage strategic customer engagements in high-visibility settings. This role requires strategic influence to drive technology adoption and strong technical expertise in networking.

The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of relevant experience, exceptional communication skills, and a Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field. A commitment to employee well-being and diversity is central to our values.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience influencing strategic customer decisions and driving adoption.
• Strong awareness of the competitive landscape and positioning.
• Thought-leadership contributions preferred (public speaking, publications).

Responsibilities

• Own consultative engagements end-to-end, leading strategic trials.
• Shape portfolio strategy through insights and participation in standards.
• Collaborate with Customer's Technical Staff as their Ciena DCOM Design Partner.

Skills

Broad multi-domain networking expertise

Exceptional communication and storytelling skills

Negotiation skills

Ability to connect technical capabilities to business outcomes

Ability to connect technical capabilities to business outcomes

Education

Bachelor’s degree (EE/CS/E&C) or equivalent

Job description

## Consulting Solution EngineerPostulerlocations: Petaluma: Remote-US: Remote-Canadatime type: Full timeposted on: Publié aujourd'huijob requisition id: R031244As 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.Strategic, sales and customer-facing consulting engineer combining the highest levels of proficiency in routing & switching (including hands-on depth) with the ability to articulate solution differentiation and business value. Operates alongside S3/SE/PLM in high-visibility customer engagements, mentors multiple TSEs, and serves as a sought-after resource for internal and external stakeholders.**Key Responsibilities*** Own consultative engagements end-to-end: discovery, architecture advocacy, test-plan influence, and value articulation.* Lead strategic trials, capture outcomes and learnings, and translate them into adoption-driving collateral.* Evangelize solution differentiation and drive corresponding solution implementation for customer demo lab.* Shape portfolio strategy through competitive insights and standards participation; publish patents/white papers.* Work closely with SE&I leadership to identify SVS opportunities and position value to Ciena customers , helping to drive adoption of SVS.* Lead the process of providing SE&I inputs into PLM during release planning process* Prime the incubation of new products/solutions targeted at large market opportunities, and lead technical engagement with top customers* Partner with Solution Architects; define relationships and handoffs; coach TSE engineers as a mentor-of-mentors.* May provide SE&I team leadership coverage from time to time to fill-in for manager when he is away or on PTO**Customer-specific (DCOM) Responsibilities*** Collaborate with Customer's Technical Staff as their Ciena DCOM Design Partner.* Define gaps and opportunities to improve performance and capabilities of existing Ciena DCOM solution.* Work with SMEs inside Ciena to define new features and functions* Work with Customer's Technical Staff to refine and align proposed solutions with production deployment requirements* Once productized by Ciena R&D and Test, support integration testing in customer's pre-production test environment* Coordinate the responses to DCOM customer pre-production issues, requests and technical questions posted on Workplace and Google Chat**Required Skills & Knowledge*** Broad multi-domain networking expertise; strong awareness of competitive landscape and positioning.* Exceptional communication, storytelling, and negotiation skills; executive presence.* Ability to connect technical capabilities to business outcomes and ROI.**Experience**15+ years; proven record influencing strategic customer decisions and driving adoption.**Education & Certifications**Bachelor’s degree (EE/CS/E&C) or equivalent; thought-leadership contributions preferred (public speaking, publications).**Success Metrics (KPIs)*** Adoption and revenue influence; trial success and differentiation demonstrated.* Executive stakeholder satisfaction; repeat strategic engagement invitations.* Mentoring impact and thought-leadership footprint (white papers/patents).The annual pay range for this position is $169,100 - $270,100 USD#LI-WH1#LI-RemotePay 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.