Technical Solutions Engineer - Data Center PON

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) matching

Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

Paid time off

Job summary

Ciena is seeking a Technical Solutions Engineer to deliver and support data center PON-based management solutions. You will work with product management, engineering, and deployment teams to ensure high performance, reliability, and operational simplicity.

Responsibilities include gathering requirements for 10Gbps PON networks, guiding SAOS embedded software, and translating needs into scalable solutions. You will collaborate across lifecycle stages and contribute to ongoing improvements in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• 7+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with PON technologies including OLT/ONT/ONU and FTTx.
• Solid understanding of Layer 2/3 networking (Ethernet, VLAN, QoS, IPv4/IPv6).
• Experience with network management interfaces including NETCONF/YANG, gRPC/gNMI, REST APIs.
• Ability to collaborate with remote/global teams.

Responsibilities

• Gather and analyze requirements for routing and switching software in 10Gbps PON networks.
• Provide technical guidance for SAOS embedded PON software and platforms.
• Translate networking requirements into scalable, efficient solutions.
• Collaborate across the software lifecycle: analysis, integration, verification, validation, support.
• Support deployment and operational readiness of DCOM PON networks for reliability and security.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of DCOM PON capabilities and customer experience.
• Identify and resolve challenges through analysis and cross-stakeholder coordination.

Skills

PON technologies

OLT/ONT experience

Layer 2/3 networking

NETCONF/YANG

gRPC/gNMI

REST APIs

cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE or equivalent

Tools

Docker

MongoDB/JSON databases

SSH/TLS/X.509

Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We're a technology company that leads with our humanity-driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

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 identifying and resolving 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. 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.

At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. 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.