Technical Solutions Engineer – Data Center PON

Ciena; California (MO); On-site; USD 148,200 - 236,800; Full time

Job summary

Ciena is seeking a Technical Solutions Engineer to deliver and support Data Center Out-of-Band Management (DCOM) networks built on PON tech. You will collaborate with product, engineering, and deployment teams worldwide to ensure high performance, reliability, and security.

You will gather requirements for 10Gbps PON deployments, provide guidance on SAOS embedded PON software, and translate complex networking needs into scalable solutions for enterprise and hyperscale environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in CS/EE or equivalent.
• 7+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience with PON technologies like OLT/ONT/ONU.
• Strong understanding of Ethernet, VLAN, QoS, IPv4/IPv6.
• Experience with network management interfaces (NETCONF/YANG, gRPC/gNMI, REST).
• Proven ability to work with remote and distributed teams.

Responsibilities

• Gather and analyze requirements for 10Gbps PON networks.
• Provide technical guidance for SAOS embedded PON software.
• Translate networking requirements into scalable solutions.
• Collaborate across the software and solution lifecycle.
• Support deployment and readiness of DCOM PON networks.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of DCOM PON capabilities.
• Identify and resolve technical challenges with stakeholders.

Skills

PON technologies

Layer 2/3 networking

Remote collaboration

Cross-functional communication

Data center networking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent

Tools

NETCONF/YANG

gRPC/gNMI

Telemetry

REST APIs

Docker

MongoDB

Job description

Technical Solutions Engineer – responsible for delivering and supporting innovative solutions for next‑generation Data Center Out‑of‑Band Management (DCOM) networks built on Passive Optical Networking (PON) technology.

How You Will Contribute

As a Technical Solutions Engineer at Ciena Corporation, you will help deliver and support innovative solutions for next‑generation Data Center Out‑of‑Band Management (DCOM) networks built on Passive Optical Networking (PON) technology. These solutions are designed to support the rapidly growing infrastructure needs of AI hyperscalers and neoscalers.

In this customer‑focused technical role, you will work closely with cross‑functional teams—including product management, engineering, and customer deployment teams—to ensure that Ciena’s DCOM PON solutions deliver high performance, reliability, and operational simplicity.

• Gather and analyze requirements for next‑generation routing and switching software solutions supporting 10Gbps PON network technologies and applications for Layer 2 and Layer 3 data networking across a wide range of switch and host platforms.
• Provide technical expertise and solution guidance for Ciena’s SAOS embedded PON software and platforms, helping enable new customers and markets while accelerating time‑to‑market for Ciena’s Data Center PON products.
• Work closely with customers and internal stakeholders to translate networking requirements into scalable and operationally efficient solutions.
• Collaborate across the entire software and solution lifecycle, including requirements analysis, integration, verification, solution validation, and customer support.
• Support deployment and operational readiness of PON‑based data center management networks, ensuring best practices in reliability, scalability, and security.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of Ciena’s DCOM PON capabilities and overall customer experience.
• Proactively identify and resolve technical challenges through solution analysis, recommendation, and execution, while aligning internal and external stakeholders.

The Must Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent, with 7+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Passive Optical Networking (PON) technologies including OLT and ONT/ONU, and broadband access architectures such as FTTx.
• Solid understanding of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking, including Ethernet, VLAN, QoS, IPv4, IPv6, and switching and routing in access networks.
• Experience working with network management and automation interfaces, including NETCONF/YANG, gRPC/gNMI, telemetry, and REST APIs.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with remote and globally distributed teams.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Experience supporting or designing network solutions for complex environments such as large enterprise or data center infrastructures.

Assets

• Familiarity with containerized and modern network architectures, including Docker, SDN, NFV, and disaggregated networking solutions.
• Experience with database technologies, preferably MongoDB or JSON‑based databases.
• Knowledge of secure networking technologies, including SSH, TLS, and X.509 certificates.
• Experience supporting data center networking environments, particularly those used by hyperscale or large cloud infrastructure operators.

The annual pay range for this position is $115,500 - $184,500 CAD.

The annual pay range for this position in California is $148,200 - $236,800 USD.

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. This pay range information pertains specifically to the primary location.

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 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.