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.
Ciena is advancing the adaptive network through innovation in optical and routing systems, services, and automation software. We are seeking a hands-on Hardware Engineer who enjoys deep technical analysis, practical measurement work, and collaborating closely with design teams to ensure robust, high-quality hardware systems. This position plays a key role in validating designs, identifying issues early through schematic reviews, and troubleshooting hardware in a lab environment using industry-standard instrumentation.
How you will make an impact:
Review analog and digital schematics for correctness, completeness, and alignment with design best practices
Identify risks related to power integrity, signal integrity, component selection, and layout constraints and collaborate cross-functionally to isolate cross-domain issues
Provide actionable feedback to improve reliability, manufacturability, and testability
Perform board bring-up activities for new boards and prototypes
Debug power, clocking, interface, and system-level issues
Evaluate signal integrity, noise, timing and power behavior and develop/execute basic validation test procedures
Execute root-cause analysis of hardware failures and recommend corrective actions
Conduct electrical measurements using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, DMMs, spectrum analyzers, and power supplies
Capture and analyze waveforms to validate performance against specifications
Document schematic reviews, lab findings, and prepare debug reports to support knowledge sharing
The must haves:
Education: Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
Experience: 3+ years experience in board bring-up and prototype validation
Application of electronics fundamentals across analog and digital domains
Capability to read and review schematics
Utilization of lab instrumentation including oscilloscopes and power supplies
Familiarity with common interfaces (e.g., SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, PCIe is a plus)
Application of debugging and problem-solving techniques
Scripting or automation experience (Python or similar) for lab workflows
Nice to haves:
Exposure to power electronics including DC/DC converters, PMICs, and power sequencing
Understanding of signal integrity and high-speed design considerations
Familiarity with PCB layout concepts
Experience using EDA tools such as Altium, Cadence, KiCad, or OrCAD
Embedded firmware experience with ARM microcontrollers
Pay Range: The annual salary range for this position is $99,800 - $159,400 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering
- 3+ years of experience in board bring-up and prototype validation
- Electronics fundamentals across analog and digital domains
- Ability to read and review schematics
- Experience using laboratory instrumentation, including oscilloscopes and power supplies
- Familiarity with common interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, and Ethernet
- Debugging and problem-solving skills
- Scripting or automation experience using Python or similar for lab workflows
- Exposure to power electronics, including DC/DC converters, PMICs, and power sequencing
- Understanding of signal integrity and high-speed design considerations
- Familiarity with PCB layout concepts
- Experience with EDA tools such as Altium, Cadence, KiCad, or OrCAD
- Embedded firmware experience with ARM microcontrollers
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Gallery
