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.
Join Ciena’s xPO Systems team and help drive next-generation optical interconnect innovation for AI-scale systems. In this role, you will shape the development of emerging Near-Packaged Optics (NPO) and Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) solutions, ensuring industry-leading performance across integrated photonics, packaging, and system-level design.
How You Will Make An Impact
As part of our team, you will:
- Work alongside a world-class team of renowned opto-electronic industry experts.
- Use state-of-the-art high-speed opto-electronic lab equipment to bring up, characterize, and test the world’s densest 200G and 400G PAM-4 optical modules for ML/AI applications.
- Characterize high-speed, high-density analog ICs and configure advanced DSP-based SerDes from major vendors to interface with our modules.
- Assess module standards compliance (e.g., IEEE Ethernet, OIF CEI, PCIe Gen6/7) and customer specifications. Develop test benches and specifications for production testing.
- Perform system-level tests at leading ML/AI, datacom, and telecom system manufacturers and operators.
- Identify hardware issues and collaborate with teams specializing in integrated optics, high-speed electronics, and opto-electronic packaging to drive resolutions.
- Analyze and interpret measurement results to guide design teams during product definition, design, and debug.
- Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams in a highly interdisciplinary, technically advanced environment.
- Contribute to documentation and update content as requirements evolve.
The Must Haves:
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or equivalent practical experience.
- 5+ years of proven hands-on laboratory experience setting up and experimentally characterizing DSP-based high-speed optical communication systems.
- Proven experience using state-of-the-art optical and high-speed electronic test and measurement equipment.
- Strong verbal, written communication, and documentation skills
Nice To Haves:
- Experience with Python tools for scientific computing and lab automation (e.g., pandas, numpy).
- Experience with ADS simulations.
- Knowledge of high-speed optical Ethernet (200G, 400G) and PCIe Gen6/7.
Pay Range: $133,100 - $212,500 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, Master's, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or equivalent practical experience.
- 5+ years hands-on laboratory experience setting up and experimentally characterizing DSP-based high-speed optical communication systems.
- Proven experience using state-of-the-art optical and high-speed electronic test and measurement equipment.
- Experience characterizing high-speed, high-density analog ICs and configuring DSP-based SerDes from major vendors.
- Ability to assess module standards compliance (e.g., IEEE Ethernet, OIF CEI, PCIe Gen6/7) and develop production test benches/specifications.
- Strong verbal, written communication, and documentation skills.
- Experience with Python tools for scientific computing and lab automation (pandas, numpy).
- Experience with ADS simulations.
- Knowledge of high-speed optical Ethernet (200G, 400G) and PCIe Gen6/7.
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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