Hardware Engineer Standardization - Optical Transceivers

NOKIA; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

NOKIA in San Jose is seeking a skilled professional to develop and advocate for standardization strategies relevant to Optical Transport Infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in telecom product management and expertise in optical networking technologies.

This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to influence key executives, as well as participation in important industry meetings such as ITU-T and IEEE 802.3. Join NOKIA to drive innovation in optical and Ethernet networking.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree preferred.
• 5+ years of telecom product experience with demonstrated market understanding.
• Proficient with optical networking technologies.

Responsibilities

• Work with PLMs and R&D teams on standardization strategies.
• Advocate for contributions to standardization strategies.
• Participate in relevant industry meetings.

Skills

Telecom product experience

Product management experience

Optical networking technologies knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Conflict management and negotiation skills

Education

Degree in computer, electrical, software, or systems engineering, or physics, computer science

Job description

Responsibilities

• Work with Product Line Managers (PLMs) and R&D teams to identify standardization strategic objectives that support Nokia product strategies. Develop and regularly review standardization strategies relevant to Optical Transport Infrastructure, Ethernet, and Physical Layer topics consistent with Nokia product directions.
• Develop, internally review, and externally advocate for contributions developed to support the standardization strategies. Provide damage control regarding standardization initiatives of Nokia competitors that are incompatible with Nokia product directions.
• Participate in meetings of ITU-T Study Group 15, and as necessary, the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) PLL tracks, the IEEE 802.3 Working Group, and OpenROADM or other MSAs.
• Provide internal reports and briefings on standardization results, progress and directions to R&D and PLM.
• Build trusted relationships and be able to influence key executives.

Qualifications

• Degree in computer, electrical, software, or systems engineering, or physics, computer science, or related field is required; graduate degree preferred.
• 5 years of telecom product experience in either network operator or equipment supplier.
• 5 years of product management experience, or consulting engineering/network architect experience with a demonstrated understanding of market requirements for Optical, Ethernet and/or IP/MPLS networking solutions.
• Business acumen.
• Proficient with optical networking technologies (OTN, High-Speed Ethernet) and knowledgeable in current and emerging standards in both packet and optical domains (IEEE, OIF, ITU‑T, OpenROADM).
• Basic understanding of optical networking physical layers: CWDM, DWDM, coherent modulation.
• Excellent understanding of the industry landscape, including customers, potential partners, direct competitors and emerging technologies and architectures.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to identify changing business models and associate these to changing solution/product and architecture requirements.
• Ability to work collaboratively across many teams within the organization including business development/technical sales, product management, marketing, and R&D.
• Solid technical and operational understanding of service provider networking environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills: ability to communicate technology strategy and architecture approach to engineers, executives, and customers.
• Ability and flexibility to develop and deliver presentations to a wide variety of audiences during standards meetings, conferences, and trade shows.
• Strong consulting skills to work with both external and internal customers and suppliers, sometimes for understanding and sometimes for driving product and network architectures, features, constraints, and limits.
• Proficiency in conflict management and negotiation, with abilities to influence and lead others.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; autonomy and ability to manage competing demands.
• High energy; willingness to work in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.
• Ability to work in both high‑level, strategic context and pragmatic execution of specific projects with practical constraints on network functional requirements, schedules, and product or feature constraints.
• Ability to forge trusted relationships using an open and respectful communication and collaboration style.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.