As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.
The opportunity:
The Packet-Optical Hardware Development team is seeking an enthusiastic and innovative new graduate to join the digital hardware design team. The role contributes to the design, implementation, validation, and debugging of next-generation networking platforms that power global communications infrastructure. As part of a multidisciplinary development team, the role contributes to high-performance digital hardware used across Ciena's networking products.
How you will make an impact:
- Participate in the design and development of complex printed circuit boards for networking and telecommunications products.
- Collaborate with FPGA, software, systems, mechanical, and manufacturing teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Develop and implement digital circuit designs involving processors, FPGAs, memories, high-speed interfaces, and supporting circuitry.
- Perform schematic capture, PCB layout reviews, and hardware validation and bring-up activities on prototype designs.
- Debug hardware issues uncovered during development, manufacturing, and system integration, including digital interfaces and communication protocols.
- Analyze signal integrity, timing, power integrity, and hardware failures, and identify root causes.
- Execute lab characterization, performance testing, design verification, engineering documentation, test plans, reports, design reviews, component evaluations, and process improvements.
The must haves:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent.
- Strong understanding of digital logic design fundamentals.
- Familiarity with microprocessors, FPGAs, CPLDs, memories, and digital interfaces.
- Knowledge of digital communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, MDIO, Ethernet, PCIe, DDR, and JTAG.
- Understanding of circuit analysis fundamentals including analog and digital electronics.
- Familiarity with laboratory measurement equipment and debugging techniques.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, communication, and teamwork skills; demonstrated initiative, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.
Nice to haves:
- Experience: Co-op or internship experience in hardware development.
- Experience with Cadence schematic capture and PCB design tools.
- Familiarity with high-speed digital design concepts and signal integrity considerations.
- Experience with scripting languages such as Python, TCL, or Bash.
- Understanding of networking technologies and telecommunications systems.
- Experience with embedded systems development and hardware/software integration.
Pay range:
The annual pay range for this position is $62,600 - 100,000 CAD.
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent
- Strong understanding of digital logic design fundamentals
- Familiarity with microprocessors, FPGAs, CPLDs, memories, and digital interfaces
- Knowledge of I2C, SPI, UART, MDIO, Ethernet, PCIe, DDR, and JTAG protocols
- Understanding of analog and digital electronics and circuit analysis fundamentals
- Familiarity with laboratory measurement equipment and debugging techniques
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, communication, and teamwork skills
- Demonstrated initiative, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn
- Co-op or internship experience in hardware development
- Experience with Cadence schematic capture and PCB design tools
- Familiarity with high-speed digital design and signal integrity
- Experience with Python, TCL, or Bash scripting
- Understanding of networking technologies and telecommunications systems
- Experience with embedded systems development and hardware/software integration
Ciena Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Ciena and has not been reviewed or approved by Ciena.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is often characterized as competitive or above-market in certain roles and regions, with references to market-aligned salary ranges and transparency around pay bands.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is frequently framed as comprehensive, including medical, dental, and vision, with indications that coverage can extend to dependents and is viewed as a meaningful component of total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off offerings are described as flexible and generous, including Flex/uncapped PTO in many cases and additional paid time for volunteering.
Ciena Insights
What We Do
Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a global leader in networking systems, services, and software. We build the world’s most adaptive networks to enable our customers to deliver richer, more connected experiences for all users. At our core, Ciena is a company rooted in people. We prioritize deep, collaborative relationships within our teams and alongside our customers, partners, and communities around the world. For three-plus decades, we’ve brought our humanity to our relentless pursuit of innovation. We continue to lead the evolution of networking with a strong track record of industry firsts. As end-user expectations skyrocket, our customers and their networks must transform. Ciena powers this transformation by driving next-generation solutions built for maximum openness and agility—today and into the future. Corporate/Brand Values: • Customer First • Integrity • Velocity • Innovation • Outstanding People We're the perfect size for you to make an impact. W Only Ciena has the depth of expertise and the culture of collaboration and partnership required to help our partners evolve. We do this by strategically integrating hardware, services, and software in an open environment to ensure our clients’ networks are ‘fit for flexibility’ today and into the f
Why Work With Us
We are known for our industry-firsts, including the first coherent optical solution, converged packet-optical platform, and intelligence automation platform. Our commitment extends beyond innovation, logging in over 35,000 volunteer hours and $2 million to worthy causes in 2023. We're the perfect size and culture for you to make a difference.
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