System Architecture Engineer

Adtran Networks North America Inc.; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Adtran Networks North America Inc. is looking for a highly skilled System Architecture Engineer to join its Optical Systems team. The successful candidate will develop optical fiber transmission systems and work with cutting-edge components to maximize performance and efficiency.

This role requires a Ph.D. or M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering or a related field, along with a strong background in photonics and optical telecommunications. The engineer will document technical results and present findings in conferences and publications.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.Sc. in relevant field, especially recent Ph.D. grads encouraged.
• Strong background in photonics and optical telecommunications.
• Experience with optical components and laboratory test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Investigate emerging component technologies for WDM performance.
• Set up optical fiber links and conduct performance experiments.
• Develop test-automation software to improve measurement accuracy.

Skills

Photonics expertise

Optical telecommunications knowledge

Data analysis with MATLAB or Python

Hands-on experience with optical components

Machine learning application

Education

Ph.D. or M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled System Architecture Engineer to join our Optical Systems team. In this role, the qualified engineer will contribute to development of high‑capacity optical fiber transmission systems for a wide variety of applications – from inter‑data center links to long‑haul WDM networks. The successful candidate will work with the latest generation of components and advanced optical system configurations to enhance system performance, maximize spectral efficiency, increase transmission distances, and improve wavelength routing flexibility. The results of these studies will be used to generate system‑level specifications and engineering rules for all deployments of Adtran’s WDM product line.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Investigate emerging component technologies to enhance WDM transmission performance.
• Set up optical fiber transmission links and conduct experiments to quantify system performance under varied transmission conditions.
• Develop test‑automation software to improve measurement accuracy and accelerate data collection.
• Perform network simulations using commercial or proprietary fiber‑optic transmission tools to complement experimental findings.
• Develop algorithms for estimating transmission impairments and define engineering rules for deployment of Adtran WDM systems based on results from lab testing, simulations, and analytical modeling.
• Apply machine‑learning techniques to analyze, predict, or optimize optical‑system performance.
• Document technical results in written reports, slide presentations, and internal or customer‑facing materials.
• Use relevant new results for conference presentations and scientific journal publications.
• Other projects and assignments may result and be assigned to accommodate the changing needs of the department and the Company.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or a related field. Recent Ph.D. graduates are especially encouraged to apply.
• Strong background in photonics and optical telecommunications, with a solid understanding of opto‑electronic circuits used in fiber‑optic transmission.
• Hands‑on experience with optical components, fiber‑optic systems, and relevant laboratory test equipment.
• Proficiency with MATLAB or Python for test automation, data analysis, and modeling.
• Knowledge of integrated opto‑electronic circuits and DSP algorithms for coherent detection.
• Foundational knowledge of machine‑learning concepts and experience applying ML algorithms to engineering or scientific data.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven track record of successful research activity through journal publications and conference papers in the field of WDM transmission.
• An innovative mindset to address the challenges of future DWDM transmission networks.