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
Ciena’s vision of Autonomous Photonic Networks (APN) blends advanced physical modeling, analytics and automation to enable optical networks that self-optimize, self-heal and continuously adapt to changing conditions maximizing both capacity and efficiency without manual intervention.
The Liquid Spectrum (LQS) Applications team develops the algorithms, models and workflows at the heart of this vision. Our mission is to unlock latent performance within photonic infrastructure by combining sophisticated physics-based simulations with intelligent software monitoring and control.
As an Optical Engineer on the LQS team, you will focus on physics-intensive photonic transport modeling, coherent modem performance analysis and DWDM system optimization, helping to realize our APN vision. You will:
- Develop and refine optical transport simulations, integrating coherent modem models with amplifier noise, fiber nonlinear impairment and other source of optical penalties.
- Build expert knowledge of coherent modem technologies and their interaction with DWDM photonic line systems.
- Analyze physical layer trade-offs between transponder behavior and optical impairments, assessing impact on reach, spectral efficiency and stability in metro, long-haul and submarine networks.
- Identify and implement optimal modem-line system operating conditions to maximize performance across diverse scenarios.
- Collaborate closely with software developers, photonic hardware designers, systems architects and lab engineers in an agile, multi-disciplinary environment.
- Rapidly adapt or extend existing codebases to prototype, validate and deploy new optimization algorithms.
- Design lab experiments with coherent modems and DWDM systems to validate models, enhance line system performance and improve automation workflows.
- Contribute to the architecture surrounding the long-term vision of the APN intelligence layer, through theory, simulation, and implementation of autonomous control applications.
- Advanced degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
- Minimum industry R&D experience (excluding academic research):
- 2+ years with Ph.D
- 3+ years with Master’s degree
- 5+ years with Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum industry R&D experience (excluding academic research):
- Deep expertise in:
- Coherent modem performance modeling and constraints
- Optical amplifier behavior and modeling (EDFA, Raman)
- Nonlinear noise modeling including Gaussian Noise (GN) models
- DWDM propagation physics with modem-line system integration
- Excellent communication, documentation and proven track record of cross-functional teamwork.
- Proven ability to optimize photonic line systems in conjunction with coherent modem operation in real-world deployments.
- Strong intuition around noise, dispersion, nonlinearities and modem trade-offs.
- Experience conducting optical lab measurements involving coherent transceivers and DWDM setups; skilled at designing experiments for performance validation.
- Proficiency with MATLAB and/or Python and ability to modify and extend simulation codebases; experience with git version control.
- Record of delivering industry-grade outcomes, translating theory into measurable product benefits.
- Understanding of DWDM application spaces and use-cases for terrestrial and submarine networks.
- Experience commissioning, troubleshooting and optimizing DWDM systems in lab or field.
- Experience in automating optical optimization workflows.
- Experience writing production-quality software and tests.
- Familiarity with off-the-shelf photonic simulation tools and ability to reconcile results with in-house models.
- Systems programming experience (i.e., C/C++, go).
- Exposure to agile development methodologies.
- Knowledge of distributed computing and large-scale systems design patterns.
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.
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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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