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.
Ideal candidate will be located in Alabama or surrounding states and have experience with MSO and RSP customers.
How You Will Contribute:
- As a Senior Systems Engineer you will work with both internal and external organizations and stakeholders to drive solutions for our customers. You’ll also perform technical oversight, including on-site customer engagements and support customer and internal architectural discussions and requirements.
- You’ll play a key role in producing written proposals, network engineering designs/documentation as well as quoting solutions and actively consult with customers on best practices and how to incorporate Ciena’s technology into their networks.
- You’ll serve as the Sales Engineer supporting Ciena’s customers, including serving as the customer-facing primary contact for advanced technical issues.
- You’ll assist in the preparation of quotes, RFx’s responses and forecasts and collect and assist in the assessment of new product features as well as manage and track customer requests and help coordinate sales activities.
- In addition to assisting with customer product and technology solution discussions and presentations, you’ll support the development of pricing strategies and incentives designed to win business.
- You’ll assist with tracking of product deliverables and communicating updates will be a key aspect of your role, as will leading the transition of customers from end-of-life products to other Ciena solutions.
- Provide mentorship and feedback to junior members of the Sales Systems Engineering staff.
- The planning and support of product certification, acceptance testing and network introduction activities will also be a key component of your role.
The Must Haves:
- Highly motivated, with strong interpersonal skills and ability to handle competing priorities.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence stakeholders to deliver objectives.
- Ability to evaluate account opportunities and set direction quickly.
- Detail-oriented with strong follow-through.
- Ability to prioritize, organize, and operate in fast-paced environments.
- Technical background in optical networking, including network engineering and sales engineering roles.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills.
- Experience working with engineering organizations to articulate technical concepts for end customers.
- Expertise in designing high-capacity OTN and DWDM networks, including OTN and Photonic Control Planes.
- Technical expertise in data networking including Carrier Ethernet, IP/MPLS, Segment Routing, EVPN and other IGP/EGP/transport/service networking protocols and IP network architectures.
- Familiarity with SDN, network virtualization as well as Public, Private and Edge cloud solutions.
- Familiarity with 4G and 5G wireless networking, xRAN and front/mid/backhaul network systems.
- Familiarity with automation, analytics, and AI usage in networking operations
- Demonstrable knowledge of coherent modems and their impact on Capex/Opex in real networks.
- Expertise in positioning NMS systems as key elements for enabling automated networks.
- Ability to travel up to 50% of the time to customer sites, R&D locations and technical conferences for customer engagements, technical discussions, and presentations.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
- 5-7 years of Sales Engineering or equivalent experience
- Service Provider Experience / Architectural experience with Service Providers and / or MSOs.
- Thorough understanding and hands on experience of Ciena’s 6500, RLS and WaveServer platform.
- Ability to articulate Ciena’s Routing and Switching platform and the Adaptive IP strategy.
- Hands-on experience with Ciena Navigator.
- Familiarity in test equipment (power meters, traffic generators, OSA’s, OTDR’s, etc) configuration and automation, understands results.
- Industry certifications would be a plus.
The annual total target compensation pay range for this position is $144,000 - $230,000 USD. This includes both base and incentive compensation.
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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.
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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.
Top Skills
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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