Network Solutions Engineer - Fort Meade, MD

Ciena; Hanover (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

401(k) with company match

ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Program)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ciena seeks a Network Solutions Engineer to design, test, and deploy high-speed optical networks onsite at Fort Meade, MD. You will act as the SME, coordinating test plans and implementations, and guiding network modernization efforts with customer teams.

The role requires strong hands-on experience with SONET/DWDM, ROADM, IP/MPLS, and Ciena platforms, plus travel readiness and a collaborative mindset. A security clearance is essential.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Active Secret Security Clearance (Top Secret preferred).
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Experience with Ciena products.
• Strong knowledge of SONET, DWDM, ROADM architecture, Ethernet, IP/MPLS/L3.
• Familiarity with NMS including MCP/Navigator.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.
• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Networking, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with customers to understand project requirements and support network design and implementation.
• Translate test results into actionable implementation plans and provide deployment support.
• Lead pre-commissioning in labs and staging facilities per documentation.
• Escalate and resolve issues with Ciena platforms per procedures.
• Collaborate with internal teams to analyze optical performance and guide modernization efforts.
• Deliver documentation for configuration, provisioning, and testing results.

Skills

US Citizenship

Security clearance

Self-starter

Communication skills

Ciena products

SONET/DWDM/ROADM

IP/MPLS/L3

NMS tools

Education

Bachelor's in Telecommunications/Networking

Tools

Ciena MCP/Navigator

Ciena Site Manager

SAOS

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.

Network Solution Engineer

(Optical Engineer)

Work Location: Onsite at Fort Meade, MD

Ciena Government Solutions Inc. (CGSI) is seeking a talented Network Solutions Engineer to join our team and provide onsite support for a key customer and project. In this role, you will take the lead in designing, coordinating, and executing test plans to ensure seamless implementation and interoperability of Ciena products within the customer's legacy network. Additionally, you will serve as the local subject matter expert (SME), contributing to standards development, interpreting customer requirements, and guiding network modernization efforts.

You will report to the Senior Manager while working closely with the Project Manager and Sales Account Manager responsible for this customer account.

How You Will Contribute:

• Collaborate with customers and stakeholders to understand project requirements and provide support for network architecture design and implementation.
• Develop and execute test plans to validate equipment functionality, interoperability, security, and performance based on customer requirements.
• Translate test results into actionable implementation plans and provide expert engineering support during deployment, including Layer-0, Layer-1, and Layer-2 (Layer-3 experience is a plus).
• Perform pre-commissioning activities in customer labs or staging facilities, including:
  • Conducting equipment inventory assessments against the final Ciena Bill of Materials (BOM).
  • Initial commissioning of Ciena systems based on provided documentation.
• Escalate and resolve issues with Ciena platforms in accordance with Ciena procedures.
• Collaborate with customer and internal technical teams to analyze optical performance and accelerate anomalies to appropriate stakeholders.
• Deliver accurate documentation for configuration, provisioning, and testing results as part of project deliverables.

The Must Haves:

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Active Secret Security Clearance (Top Secret Preferred)
• Ability to work independently (self-starter) and in a team environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Experience with Ciena products.
• Strong understanding of:
  • SONET, DWDM, ROADM/nOADM architecture, and provisioning/implementation.
  • Ethernet architecture, provisioning, and implementation.
  • IP/MPLS/L3 protocols.
• Familiarity with Network Management Systems (NMS), including Ciena MCP/Navigator.
• Ability to work in a lab environment. Read/follow network diagrams, cabling guides, signal flow diagrams.
• A diverse Telecommunications background, strong hands-on technical experience, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to assist team members with other projects as required.

• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Networking, or a related technical field (equivalent experience in a related field will be considered in lieu of a degree).
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Experience:

• Hands-on expertise with Ciena 6500 DWDM/OTN and Route Switch platforms, including experience with:
  • Ciena Site Manager.
  • MCP/Navigator software.
  • Service-Aware Operating System (SAOS).
• Experience with legacy SONET and TDM systems, including circuits such as OCx, DS1, and DS3, as well as TDM BER testing practices and test plan development.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and optimize network performance in both lab and field environments.
• Ability to learn new technology, apply and share applicable knowledge to customer, stakeholders, and peers
• Ability to assist customer (onsite/Remotely) troubleshooting, installation, and implementation with field deployment efforts as Tier III/Tier IV

#LI-BS1

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. 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 anEqual 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.