Network Solutions Engineer - Fort Meade, MD

Ciena Canada; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental plan

Vision plan

401K (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with match

ESPP

EAP

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation time

Paid Family Leave

Job summary

Ciena Government Solutions Inc. is seeking a Network Solutions Engineer to lead design, testing, and deployment of optical networking solutions onsite at Fort Meade. You will develop test plans, validate interoperability, and act as SME for customer requirements and network modernization efforts.

You will coordinate with project managers, sales, and technical teams to ensure successful implementation, provide on-site support, and document results with precise configuration details.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship 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 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 and read network diagrams.
• Diverse Telecommunications background with hands‑on technical experience.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.
• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Networking, or related field.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

SONET

DWDM

ROADM

Ethernet

IP/MPLS

NMS

MCP Navigator

SAOS

Lab testing

Travel up to 25%

Education

Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications or Networking

Tools

Ciena Site Manager

MCP/Navigator

Service-Aware OS (SAOS)

Legacy SONET/TDM testing & plans

Job description

Network Solution Engineer (Optical Engineer)

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.

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 elevate 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 optimise 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:

• medical


• dental


• 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


• Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence

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