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ADTRAN is seeking a Principal Hardware Engineer to provide technical leadership in the development of next-generation Optical Transport and Coherent Pluggable solutions for metro, core, long-haul, and data center interconnect applications. This role is responsible for the architecture, design, validation, and production support of advanced optical networking products, including coherent transceivers, DWDM systems, and optical transport platforms. The successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert and collaborate across optical, electrical, firmware, FPGA, software, mechanical, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams to deliver innovative, high-performance networking solutions.
Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership- Lead the hardware architecture and design of coherent pluggable transceivers and optical transport subsystems.
- Drive technical decisions related to high-speed digital, RF, mixed-signal, and optical hardware design.
- Provide mentorship and technical guidance to engineers across multiple product development teams.
- Serve as the primary technical resource for complex engineering challenges and design reviews.
- Evaluate emerging technologies, components, and architectures to support future product roadmaps.
- Develop system architectures, block diagrams, schematics, and detailed hardware specifications.
- Design and validate high-speed circuit boards supporting coherent optical communication systems.
- Lead signal integrity, power integrity, and electromagnetic compatibility analyses.
- Collaborate with PCB layout engineers to optimize designs for performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost.
- Oversee hardware integration, verification, qualification, and release activities throughout the product lifecycle.
- Support new product introductions and production transfers to manufacturing partners.
- Define and evaluate optical subsystem requirements including:
- Coherent pluggable modules
- DWDM transport systems
- Optical amplifiers
- ROADM technologies
- Wavelength-selective switches
- Laser and photodetector-based subsystems
- Perform system-level analysis, performance modeling, and design trade studies.
- Work with suppliers to evaluate and qualify optical components and technologies.
- Develop test strategies, qualification plans, and validation methodologies.
- Utilize laboratory equipment including:
- Network analyzers
- Spectrum analyzers
- BER testers
- Oscilloscopes
- Optical measurement equipment
- Analyze performance data and lead root-cause investigations.
- Drive corrective actions and continuous product improvements.
- Partner with Systems, Software, FPGA, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Quality, and Product Management teams.
- Participate in customer, supplier, and executive technical reviews.
- Support field deployments and resolution of complex customer issues when required.
- Ensure projects meet performance, schedule, reliability, and cost objectives.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related discipline required.
- Master's degree preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education and directly related industry experience will be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
- 10+ years of hardware engineering experience in telecommunications, networking, or optical communications.
- Significant experience designing high-speed electronic hardware and optical networking systems.
- Proven experience developing coherent optical transceivers, optical transport platforms, or DWDM networking products.
- Demonstrated success leading complex product developments from concept through production release.
- Expertise in coherent optical communications and pluggable transceiver technologies.
- Strong knowledge of DWDM transport systems and optical networking architectures.
- Experience with high-speed board design, signal integrity, and RF design techniques.
- Proficiency with schematic capture and simulation tools such as Xpedition, HFSS, ADS, HyperLynx, or equivalent.
- Strong understanding of:
- S-parameters
- Impedance matching
- High-speed serial interfaces
- Optical link budgets
- Mixed-signal design
- Experience with laboratory characterization and optical test equipment.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Testability (DFT), and product qualification methodologies.
- Strategic thinking and systems-level problem-solving ability.
- Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence technical direction across multiple organizations.
- Proven coaching and mentoring capabilities.
- Strong project execution and decision-making skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative engineering environment.
- Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or Physics.
- Experience with coherent optical systems and pluggable architectures.
- Experience supporting hyperscale, carrier, or service provider optical networks.
- Familiarity with automation, scripting, and data analysis tools.
- Experience collaborating with global engineering and manufacturing teams.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related discipline
- 10+ years of hardware engineering experience in telecommunications, networking, or optical communications
- Significant experience designing high-speed electronic hardware and optical networking systems
- Experience developing coherent optical transceivers, optical transport platforms, or DWDM networking products
- Experience leading complex product developments from concept through production release
- Expertise in coherent optical communications and pluggable transceiver technologies
- Strong knowledge of DWDM transport systems and optical networking architectures
- Experience with high-speed board design, signal integrity, and RF design techniques
- Proficiency with schematic capture and simulation tools such as Xpedition, HFSS, ADS, HyperLynx, or equivalent
- Understanding of S-parameters, impedance matching, high-speed serial interfaces, optical link budgets, and mixed-signal design
- Experience with laboratory characterization and optical test equipment
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, DFM, DFT, and product qualification methodologies
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or Physics
- Experience supporting hyperscale, carrier, or service provider optical networks
- Familiarity with automation, scripting, and data analysis tools
- Experience collaborating with global engineering and manufacturing teams
ADTRAN Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about ADTRAN and has not been reviewed or approved by ADTRAN.
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Healthcare Strength — Feedback suggests health insurance is solid, with medical, dental, and vision coverage viewed favorably. Company-paid short-term disability and access to on-site medical services at some locations reinforce the perception of strong healthcare support.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Feedback suggests the 2024 shift to flexible/unlimited PTO has been well received and is complemented by paid holidays and sick leave. Volunteer time off adds to the overall time-away options.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Feedback suggests on-site clinics, fitness centers, cafeterias, and tuition assistance add meaningful day-to-day value. An Employee Assistance Program and optional add-ons further expand lifestyle support.
ADTRAN Insights
What We Do
ADTRAN, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADTN) is defining the future network with innovative next-generation solutions that enable telecommunication service providers to deliver voice, data and video services to homes and businesses. Our vision is to enable a fully connected world where the power to communicate is available to everyone, everywhere. ADTRAN was founded in 1985 in Huntsville, AL. The corporate headquarters remains in Huntsville with additional R&D centers in Germany and India and sales offices located throughout the world. Innovation has been at the heart of the company since its inception and is recognized through our large portfolio of patents that is more than 700 strong. Our employees, more than 2,000 strong, come to work each day searching for ways to bring the world together through improved communication. We seek the best and brightest minds that bring integrity, a spirit of entrepreneurism, creative problem solving, and a passion for their work.
