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.
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.
We are looking for a strategic, customer facing, Solution Architect responsible for identifying & driving new business initiatives that increase Ciena's market share and drive long-term, profitable growth for our Routing/Switching solutions for Regional Service Provider, Utility, and MSO customers.
How You Will Contribute:
- Works directly with dedicated account teams across the assigned region to provide Engineering and Architectural leadership
- Drive advanced architecture discussions to ensure Ciena’s technology direction aligns with customer needs, work collaboratively with key influencers in the industry to drive technology direction, and engage with customer personnel from Engineering to C-Level Executives
- Lead technical tasks (product demonstrations, POCs & lab trials), including written proposals (RFPs), and complex network designs.
- Must be able to effectively communicate solutions to customers, resellers and work cohesively with Sales teams and other internal CIENA departments
- Provide strategic direction to Ciena’s PLM/R&D organizations on technology required to capture the business of existing and developing customers
- Travel (or engage virtually) a significant amount of time in the US to build account team and customer relationships needed to execute business initiatives.
- Performs other duties as assigned
Must Haves:
- Strong understanding of current and future trends in routing/switching (core, access and aggregation), Automation, Data Center Interconnect, Campus Networking, AI, and other emerging Edge technologies
- Expert level knowledge, of multi-layer network architectures (IP, SR, MPLS & Carrier Ethernet) and Routing/Switching technologies and protocols (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, IGRP, G.8032, MPLS-TP, 802.1ag, 2544/1564, etc) is required
- Detailed understanding of Service Provider Network deployments and architectures
- Detailed understanding of Utility & MSO customer environments
- Expert level hands-on systems level understanding and an ability to learn and apply new concepts and technologies quickly
- Software design and development knowledge (Linux, C/C++, Java, Python, REST, JSON, OpenFlow, OpenDaylight, OpenStack, OPNFV, SDN, VMWare, etc.) is a plus
- Understanding of backbone long-haul transport, metro DWDM, optical evolution and packet transport a plus
- Time management skills; ability to plan, prioritize, execute & follow-up within a timely manner
- Professionalism in attitude, conduct, and appearance
- Ability to work within a high-performance team
- Flexible, able to handle multiple tasks with minimal supervision
- Ability to build strong customer relationships and support an overall sales strategy
- Expert technical expertise and desire to learn new technologies
- Needs to have demonstrated lead in management of on-going activities such as RFP activity, trials and product acceptance
- Must be able to work well with Ciena R&D, Engineering and PLM
- Ability to integrate into and contribute to a high performing Team
- Excellent organizational skills due to dynamic nature of activities
- Superior verbal and written communication skills
Education:
- Technical Degree; BS in Engineering or Computer Science or relevant experience
- Expert in architecting complex IP and Carrier Ethernet Networks
- In-depth knowledge of multilayer networking systems
- 10+ years telecommunication industry experience
- Prior experience as a contributor on a sales account team
The annual total target compensation pay range for this position is $204,200 - $326,200 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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