Optical Network Engineer, Google Global Infrastructure

Socket.dev; Thornton (CO); On-site; USD 126,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking a highly skilled Network Engineer to design and scale the transport network, operating and automating optical testbeds and interfaces with vendors and internal teams. The role emphasizes reliable, scalable infrastructure and hands-on hardware interaction in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities include scaling the transport network, validating physical-layer performance, and building automation tools for network management and operations at scale, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 3 years of experience in optical engineering and operations, optical networking, and network infrastructure.
• Experience operating and maintaining optical networking equipment.

Responsibilities

• Define requirements and identify technologies for scaling the transport network efficiently.
• Engage with external vendors and internal teams to operationalize stable, scalable platforms.
• Design and maintain optical testbed topologies to characterize transceivers, amplifiers, and line systems.
• Perform physical-layer validation and optical link-budget characterization to identify hardware performance limits.
• Automate test infrastructure and develop tools for network management and operations.

Skills

Optical engineering experience

Optical networking experience

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Job description

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  
• 3 years of experience in optical engineering and operations, optical networking, and network infrastructure.
• Experience operating and maintaining optical networking equipment.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with a network equipment manufacturer or operator in an engineering or design role.
• Experience using and automating optical lab test equipment and infrastructure.
• Experience with network operations, optical design, network architecture, and software engineering.

About the job:

Google is proud to boast a network that provides service to millions of Internet users around the world. The Network Engineering team is responsible for operating that network reliably and at scale. As a member of the team, you have a direct impact on design and feature enhancements to keep our systems running smoothly. You also ensure that network operations are safe and efficient by monitoring network performance, coordinating planned maintenance, adjusting hardware components and responding to network connectivity issues. Google's complex network generates a constant stream of challenges which require you to continually be innovative with an evolving set of technologies. Keeping the network reliable ensures that our users stay connected with our suite of applications, products and services.

The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what’s possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide.

We're the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $126000 - $180000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities:

• Define requirements and identify technologies for scaling the transport network efficiently.
• Engage with external vendors and internal teams to operationalize stable, scalable platforms.
• Design and maintain optical testbed topologies to characterize transceivers, amplifiers, and line systems.
• Perform physical-layer validation and optical link-budget characterization to identify hardware performance limits.
• Automate test infrastructure and develop tools for network management and operations.