Systems Architect – Coherent optical pluggable

Nokia Global; Germany (OH); On-site; USD 63,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Nokia is seeking a Systems Architect for coherent optical pluggable devices across multiple global sites. The role entails defining architecture, translating requirements, and guiding SW/HW teams to deliver robust end-to-end optical solutions.

You will collaborate with product lines, ASIC designers, and architecture teams to ensure coherent integration across L0/L1 layers and adaptability to AI-driven data center needs.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a technical field is required.
• PhD plus 8+ years or MSc plus 12+ years in optical transport/telecom.
• Experience leading architectural specifications across multi-disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Define system and product concepts with product line management.
• Translate requirements into system architecture specifications.
• Collaborate with architects, ASIC designers, HW/SW teams on SW architecture.
• Lead cross-functional feature teams to align on architecture.
• Provide architecture guidance to SW development and ensure alignment.
• Document architecture, requirements, and concepts clearly.
• Evaluate feature requests and customer requirements for feasibility.
• Collaborate with documentation team to describe features.

Skills

Systems architecture

Cross-functional teamwork

Requirements drafting

Optical networking

CMIS OIF familiarity

AI tool exposure

Communication skills

End-to-end system experience

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering/CS/Telecommunication

MS in EE/CS/Telecommunication

Tools

CMIS

C-CMIS

OIF specifications

Job description

Systems Architect – Coherent optical pluggable

Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Canada, India, Italy

In an increasingly connected world, the pandemic has highlighted just how essential telecom networks are to keeping society running.The Network Infrastructuregroup is at the heart of a revolution to connectivity, pushing the boundaries to deliver more and faster network capacity to people worldwide through our ambition, innovation, and technical expertise

Join Optical Networks division, where innovation meets scale in the AI-driven data center era. With the recent acquisition of Infinera, we’ve united two industry leaders to create an optical networking powerhouse—combining cutting-edge technology with proven leadership to redefine the future of connectivity.
As part of Nokia’s Optical Architecture group, you will have a unique opportunity to lead the design and architecture of novel coherent optical pluggable. You will be responsible for architecting and implementing new coherent optical portfolio in collaboration with our Systems Architecture, ASIC designer and Hardware and Software Development teams.

Your responsibilities

• Work cooperatively with Product Line Management to define and clarify system & product concepts, features & requirements, including customer use cases and experience expectations.
• Translate the product requirements into system architectural specifications and requirements.
• Work closely with a team of architects and ASIC designers, optical front-end designers as well as HW/SW developers in establishing the SW architectural specifications.
• Lead the cross-functional feature teams to facilitate & build consensus on product architecture and technical concepts for product implementation.
• Engage with SW development teams to provide architecture know-how to the teams and maintain alignment of the implementation with the architecture.
• Documentation of product architecture, requirements and concepts in clear, concise and consistent specifications.
• Investigate new feature requests and customer requirements; propose feature solutions and assess feasibility.
• Work collaboratively with the product documentation team to describe product features and operational concepts in customer documentation.

Your skills and experience

• Broad systems knowledge garnered by years of experience specifying and/or leading architectural specifications across multi-disciplines
• Ability to think big-picture and deliver high quality requirements/architecture specifications, geared towards building robust, reliable and the best user experience solutions for the end-to-end integrated system
• Experience defining requirements in the areas of Fault Management, Performance Management, Configuration Management, Service Provisioning and Control Plane features of multi-layer networking products (especially for the L0 and L1 layers)
• Experience with Optical Networking Technologies and Standards including OTN, Ethernet, Encription capability such as MACSEC
• Familiarity with CMIS, C-CMIS, OIF specification.
• Experience designing and validating link-level control algorithms and optical performance monitoring to optimize end-to-end optical performance.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Usage of modern AI tool such as Curs or, AI-SDLC
• Highly motivated team player adept at cross-functional, cross-cultural and international teamwork

Education & Experience Requirements

• Advanced graduate degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunication or equivalent education.
• Ph.D. + minimum 8 years of relevant work experience
• M.Sc. + minimum 12 years of relevant work experience in optical transport systems or related fields in telecommunications.

About Us

Advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.

Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.

At Nokia, we want every candidate to be able to perform their best. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know. All requests are treated confidentially.

Job Info

• Job Category Applied R&D
• Posting Date 04/15/2026
• Job Schedule Full time
• Job Type Experienced
• Job Identification 34351
• Salary Range Italy salary range: 54,478.26 - 128,916.67 EUR
  *Incentive range: 15% - 20%
  *National Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Telecommunications Sector” (CCNL Telecomunicazioni).
• Regular or Temporary Regular

AI Statement: Nokia embraces the strategic use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within our recruiting process to enhance the candidate experience and significantly improve our operational efficiencies. By leveraging AI-powered tools, we aim to create a more responsive and equitable journey for all applicants. Concurrently, we advocate for the intelligent, ethical, and safe use of AI by candidates and applicants when preparing and submitting their applications for our roles. This includes ensuring that any AI-generated content is thoroughly reviewed for accuracy, originality, and relevance, and that its use aligns with principles of transparency and integrity. Our goal is to foster a recruitment environment that benefits from technological advancements while upholding fairness, authenticity, and human oversight.