Provide deep high-speed electrical I/O and SERDES expertise to shape 400 Gb/s-per-lane and higher standards in IEEE 802.3 and the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), while aligning external specifications with Nokia product and technology strategies.
Work with Product Line Managers, silicon and hardware architects, and R&D teams to identify standardisation objectives for next-generation high-speed electrical interfaces, with emphasis on 400 Gb/s per lane and future higher-rate SERDES technologies.
Develop and regularly review Nokia standardisation strategies for chip-to-chip, chip-to-module, backplane and copper-cable electrical interfaces used in high-speed Ethernet and optical networking platforms.
Create, analyse, internally review and externally advocate technical contributions for IEEE 802.3 and OIF projects. Build technical consensus with customers, component suppliers, silicon vendors, ecosystem partners and other standards participants.
Perform link and system analysis to support standards decisions, including channel loss and reflections, insertion-loss and return-loss limits, crosstalk, jitter and noise budgets, equalisation capability, transmitter and receiver specifications, COM and other statistical or behavioural link methodologies, and interoperability trade-offs.
Evaluate modulation, baud-rate, FEC and architecture options for 400 Gb/s-per-lane and higher interfaces, considering power, latency, reach, complexity, testability, manufacturability and implementation margin.
Translate product and platform requirements into technically rigorous standards proposals, objectives, baseline text, presentations and responses to comments.
Monitor competing proposals and emerging technologies, assess their impact on Nokia product directions, and develop constructive technical alternatives when required.
Participate actively in IEEE 802.3 Working Group and task force meetings, OIF electrical and physical-layer activities, and relevant industry alliances or multi-source agreements.
Provide concise internal reports and briefings on standards progress, technical risks, decisions and implications for R&D, product management and senior leadership.
Build trusted relationships across the ecosystem and influence technical direction through credible analysis, clear communication, collaboration and negotiation.
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, applied physics or a closely related field is required; a master's degree or PhD is preferred.
Substantial hands-on experience in high-speed SERDES, electrical PHY or mixed-signal interface design, architecture, modelling, validation or product development.
Deep understanding of high-speed serial-link fundamentals, including transmitter and receiver architectures, clocking and CDR, jitter, phase noise, noise coupling, channel impairments, equalisation and link training.
Expertise with PAM4 signalling and a strong foundation in modulation, coding, BER, error distributions and the interaction between electrical link performance and FEC.
Experience with one or more high-speed interface applications such as die-to-die, chip-to-chip, chip-to-module, backplane, passive copper cable or active electrical cable links.
Working knowledge of Ethernet PHY architecture and terminology, including PCS, FEC, PMA, AUI, PMD, lane mapping and multi-lane aggregation.
Practical experience with channel and link analysis tools and methods, such as S-parameters, eye and bathtub analysis, statistical simulation, IBIS-AMI, COM, MATLAB, Python or equivalent engineering environments.
Understanding of packaging, connector, PCB, cable and module constraints at very high signalling rates, including their impact on signal integrity, power integrity and test methodology.
Experience developing specifications, compliance methods, test fixtures or interoperability plans. Familiarity with BERTs, oscilloscopes, VNAs and high-speed electrical measurements is highly desirable.
Experience participating in IEEE 802.3, OIF or another consensus-based standards organisation is strongly preferred. Demonstrated contribution authorship, technical editing or leadership is an advantage.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex engineering trade-offs to specialists, executives, customers and partners.
Ability to collaborate across R&D, product management, business development, technical sales and external organisations, while working effectively across time zones and organisational boundaries.
Proficiency in technical negotiation, consensus building and conflict management, with an open and respectful working style.
Strong organisational skills, autonomy and the ability to manage several fast-moving standards and technology activities in parallel.
Willingness and ability to travel internationally to standards meetings, technical workshops and industry events as required.
Key technical focus areas400 Gb/s-per-lane and higher electrical signalling for Ethernet and optical-module interfaces.
Next-generation AUI, chip-to-module, backplane and copper-cable specifications.
PAM4, PAM6 and potential future modulation formats, equalisation architectures and link training.
Channel definition, package and board loss, crosstalk, jitter, noise, COM and interoperability methodology.
Electrical PHY power, latency, reach, testability and implementation trade-offs.
Alignment of SERDES capabilities with Ethernet PCS/FEC/PMA architecture and optical interface requirements.
What success looks like
Nokia product requirements are represented early and credibly in relevant standards projects.
Technical proposals are supported by sound analysis, clear documentation and effective coalition building.
R&D and product teams receive timely, actionable guidance on standards direction, risks and implementation implications.
Published specifications enable robust, power-efficient and interoperable high-speed interfaces aligned with industry deployment needs.
Preferred profile
- You are a recognised technical contributor who combines deep SERDES expertise with the judgement and communication skills needed to work in open standards. You are comfortable moving between detailed link analysis, product-level trade-offs and industry consensus building, and you can turn complex engineering evidence into clear, persuasive standards positions.
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.
Our recruitment process
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.
If you’re interested in this role but don’t meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.
The length of the recruitment process may vary depending on the specific role's requirements. We strive to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for all candidates. Discover more about the recruitment process at Nokia.
Skills Required
- Degree in computer, electrical, software, or systems engineering, or physics, computer science, or related field
- Graduate degree
- 5 years of telecom product experience in network operator or equipment supplier
- 5 years of product management experience or consulting engineering/network architect experience with demonstrated understanding of market requirements for Optical, Ethernet and/or IP/MPLS solutions
- Proficiency with optical networking technologies (OTN, High‑Speed Ethernet) and knowledge of current and emerging standards (IEEE, OIF, ITU‑T, OpenROADM)
- Basic understanding of optical physical layer technologies (CWDM, DWDM, coherent modulation)
- Solid technical and operational understanding of service provider networking environments
- Business acumen and ability to map market trends to product and architecture requirements
- Experience identifying changing business models and translating to solution/product requirements
- Ability to work collaboratively across R&D, product management, business development, marketing, and sales
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and presentation ability at standards meetings and conferences
- Strong consulting, negotiation, and conflict management skills with ability to influence executives
- Strong organizational and project management skills; autonomy and ability to manage competing demands
- Ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels and deliver pragmatic project execution
- Ability to forge trusted relationships with open and respectful communication
Nokia Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Nokia and has not been reviewed or approved by Nokia.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity programs include a global employee share purchase plan with company matching and multi‑year share awards. These mechanisms broaden participation and tie rewards to long‑term outcomes.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes major medical plans with supplementary options such as vision, legal services, and care navigation. The range of offerings indicates comprehensive support for medical needs.
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Parental & Family Support — A global policy grants paid leave for new parents regardless of gender and provides structured return‑to‑work support. Company‑paid life insurance further strengthens family protection across regions.
Nokia Insights
What We Do
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.
