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.
How You Will Contribute:
As a modem control software developer, you will push the boundaries of what is possible in optical network solutions. You will work alongside experienced professionals to ensure the reliability and performance of projects that play critical roles in our network solutions and help build upon our innovative technology. You will also challenge yourself and others by bringing enthusiasm and fresh ideas to new challenges and leading by example.
In this role, you will..
- Develop understanding and expertise in next-gen network solutions using optical transport and switching technologies like OTN, Ethernet etc.
- Develop embedded software skills to design, develop, validate and document advanced networking features and capabilities which are deployed in service provider networks.
- Trouble shoot and fix reported issues with embedded software, Identify root cause, diagnose, debug and deliver robust timely fixes.
- Collaborate with multi-functional teams to design, develop and test the next-gen modem technologies.
The Must Haves:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering
- C, C++ programming language experience
- Good knowledge of embedded systems, device drivers, Linux Operating System knowledge, mutual exclusion, synchronization, interrupt handling, inter-process communication, etc.;
- Positive work attitude, highly motivated and an ability to seek out answers with a willingness to learn and work independently.
- Strong verbal and technical writing skills;
- Collaborates well in a team environment
The Assets:
- Familiarity with datacom & telecom concepts such as DWDM, OTN, Ethernet, TCP/IP
- Low-level Real-Time Software/Firmware Development
- Ability to understand CPU Hardware architectures, Hardware Functional Specifications and Hardware Timing Diagrams
- Linux, VxWorks
- Linux as a software development environment
- Exposure to CLI, TL1, SNMP, NETCONF, REST, gRPC.
- Design and development tools such as: Git, Eclipse, JIRA, Confluence, GDB, Yocto
- YANG modeling language and toolchains
- Scripting experience, Python, Go, BASH
- Automation and Test
Pay Range:
The annual pay range for this position is $68,900-110,100.
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 degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
- Experience with C and C++ programming languages
- Knowledge of embedded systems, device drivers, Linux, mutual exclusion, synchronization, interrupt handling, and inter-process communication
- Positive work attitude, motivation, willingness to learn, and ability to work independently
- Strong verbal and technical writing skills
- Ability to collaborate in a team environment
- Familiarity with datacom and telecom concepts including DWDM, OTN, Ethernet, and TCP/IP
- Low-level real-time software or firmware development experience
- Understanding of CPU hardware architectures, hardware functional specifications, and hardware timing diagrams
- Experience with Linux and VxWorks
- Exposure to CLI, TL1, SNMP, NETCONF, REST, or gRPC
- Experience with Git, Eclipse, JIRA, Confluence, GDB, or Yocto
- Experience with YANG modeling language and toolchains
- Scripting experience with Python, Go, or Bash
- Automation and testing experience
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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