IT Leadership Program - New Grads

Ciena Corporation; Scaggsville (MD); On-site; USD 56,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) participation & DCPP matching

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Employee Assistance Program

company-paid holidays

paid sick leave

vacation time

Job summary

We are seeking candidates for Ciena Corporation's IT Early Career Leadership Program Associate. This New Grad program offers four six‑month rotations across IT disciplines, with mentoring and real business impact. You will analyze processes, develop insights, and drive technological improvements while presenting outcomes to leadership.

This role emphasizes growth, learning, and collaboration. The program targets graduates within the last year in technical fields, with internships or projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree completed within the last 12 months in Information Systems, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Science, Business Technology, or related technical field.
• Previous internship, co-op, or applied project experience relevant to the role.
• Strong academic performance.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies and business environments.
• Demonstrated leadership through internships, projects, student organizations, research, or extracurricular activities.

Responsibilities

• Complete four structured rotational assignments across multiple IT domains.
• Drive technology initiatives that support business growth, operational efficiency, risk reduction, and value realization.
• Analyze business processes, operational data, and technology performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Evaluate, implement, and optimize technology solutions and business processes.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, architects, engineers, analysts, and operational teams to address business challenges.
• Develop reports, dashboards, presentations, and recommendations that support decision‑making and strategic planning.
• Present findings, recommendations, and project outcomes, including a capstone project, to management and IT leadership.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Learning agility

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Systems/CS/CE/Software/Data Science

Tools

Power BI

SQL

Python

Azure

AWS

ServiceNow

Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

IT Early Career Leadership Program Associate (New Grad)

Join Ciena's IT Early Career Rotational Program and gain hands‑on experience across multiple IT disciplines through four structured six‑month rotations. Participants engage with real business challenges, collaborate with technology leaders, and contribute to initiatives that support business growth, operational efficiency, and technology transformation. Coaching, mentoring, and development opportunities help build long‑term careers within Ciena's global IT organization.

How you will make an impact:

• Complete four structured rotational assignments across multiple IT domains.
• Drive technology initiatives that support business growth, operational efficiency, risk reduction, and value realization.
• Analyze business processes, operational data, and technology performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Evaluate, implement, and optimize technology solutions and business processes.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, architects, engineers, analysts, and operational teams to address business challenges.
• Develop reports, dashboards, presentations, and recommendations that support decision‑making and strategic planning.
• Present findings, recommendations, and project outcomes, including a capstone project, to management and IT leadership.

The must haves:

• Education: Bachelor's degree completed within the last 12 months in Information Systems, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Science, Business Technology, or a related technical field.
• Experience: Previous internship, co‑op, or applied project experience relevant to the role.
• Strong academic performance.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies and business environments.
• Demonstrated leadership through internships, projects, student organizations, research, or extracurricular activities.

Nice to haves:

• Internship, co‑op, research, or project experience in a technology‑related field.
• Exposure to cloud platforms, data analytics, software development, or enterprise systems.
• Familiarity with Power BI, SQL, Python, Azure, AWS, ServiceNow, or similar technologies.
• Experience working in team‑based environments.

Pay Range:

The annual pay for this position is from $58,500 - $93,500 Pay 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.

Benefits:

• 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
• 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.