Network Solutions Engineer - Onsite at Scott AFB, IL

Ciena Corporation; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) plan

Employee stock purchase

Job summary

Ciena Government Solutions Inc. (CGSI) is hiring a Network Solutions Engineer to provide onsite support at Scott AFB, IL. You will lead test plan design, equipment commissioning, and end-to-end circuit testing to ensure seamless interoperability with the customer’s legacy network.

The role requires U.S. citizenship, an active security clearance (Top Secret preferred), and the ability to travel up to 25%. Candidates should have deep Ciena product experience, knowledge of SONET, DWDM, ROADM/nOADM

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Active Secret Security Clearance (Top Secret Preferred).
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Experience with Ciena products.
• Strong understanding of SONET, DWDM, ROADM/nOADM.
• Ethernet provisioning and implementation.
• IP/MPLS/L3 protocols incl. MPLS-TP.
• Familiarity with NMS (Ciena MCP/Navigator).
• Ability to work in a lab environment.
• Read network diagrams and cabling guides.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with customers to understand project requirements and support network architecture design.
• Develop and execute test plans to validate functionality, interoperability, security, and performance.
• Translate test results into actionable deployment plans and provide engineering support.
• Turn up services and perform end-to-end circuit testing per best practices.
• Provide guidance and training on Ciena NMS and provisioning tasks.
• Document configurations, provisioning, and test results for deliverables.
• Support field deployments in lab and customer environments.

Skills

Network architecture design

Test plan development

Layer-0/Layer-1/Layer-2 support

NMS (Ciena MCP/Navigator)

DWDM/ROADM architecture

MPLS/L3 protocols

Lab troubleshooting

Ciena products

Education

Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications/Networking or related field

Tools

Ciena MCP/Navigator

Ciena Site Manager

SAOS (Service-Aware OS)

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.

Work Location: Onsite at Scott AFB, IL (This is not a remote position)

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 highly technical 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).
• Support pre-commissioning activities in customer labs or staging facilities.
• Support greenfield network implementation by commissioning equipment, optimizing span/channel parameters, and ensuring seamless deployment.
• Turn up network services following Ciena best practices, including performing end-to-end circuit testing to ensure error-free operation.
• Perform basic electrical tasks and determine when specialized contractors are required.
• Provide customer guidance and operational training on Ciena Network Management Systems (NMS), including tasks such as: Enrolling network elements. Creating device profiles. Configuring backups. Provisioning services. Escalate and resolve issues with Ciena platforms in accordance with Ciena procedures.
• Collaborate with customer and internal technical teams to analyze optical performance and escalation 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, including MPLS-TP.
• 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/RLS 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.
• Proficiency in documenting network configurations, including: Rack face diagrams. Signal flow diagrams. Cable run lists. Migration cut sheets. As-built network diagrams for customer deliverables #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.

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.