Electro-optics Firmware Designer - New Grad

Ciena is committed to our people-first philosophy. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a personalized and flexible work environment that empowers an individual’s passions, growth, wellbeing and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

Achieve your ideal career at the forefront of innovation with Ciena. We know the importance of life outside of work, which is why our employees enjoy flexible paid time off and the freedom of working remotely. Ciena empowers our teams with competitive salaries and incentives, community volunteer programs, professional development resources, and support for our mental and physical health—all experienced within a diverse and inclusive culture. To put it simply, we’re a technology company driven by our humanity. 

How You Will Contribute:

As a firmware designer, you will be responsible for designing and implementing the low-level software required to control the DSP assisted coherent optical modem. That includes developing all the tools and interfaces required to support the integration, test, and verification of the product. As part of a wider development team, you will interact and collaborate with many designers from different teams to provide the optimum solutions that improve the product performance and quality. The firmware designer is exposed to a wide range of cutting-edge electronic, optical and RF technologies in a world-class R&D lab environment.  

• You will design and implement firmware control loops.
• You will participate in product evolution by providing innovative solutions.
• You will support other team member with their activities.
• You will provide test and calibration tools.
• You will provide tools to help with the debugging and verification of the product.
• You will participate with the product integration.
• You will verify firmware robustness and performance in various environments.

What Does Ciena Expect of You?

• Customer First Mentality – what’s important to the customer is also important to you.
• Initiative – You’re a self-starter who works with limited direction and is committed to delivering against aggressive deadlines.
• Creative thinking – you’re keen to understand technology and see opportunities to compartmentalize higher level requirements into design tasks.
• Agility – you are readily able to manage competing and ever-changing account priorities and maintain a balanced and methodical approach to problem solving.

• Communication expertise –You can tailor your message and ideas to the audience to ensure understanding and clearly articulate designs, specifications, test results and trade-offs.
• Leadership – the ability to influence, empower and get things done by people who don’t necessarily report to you.
• The flexibility to work independently and as part of a broader team – you thrive in a team environment, but are comfortable working independently as required.
• A commitment to learning – you keep abreast of market, competitor and technology developments and use that information to Ciena’s advantage.

The Must Haves:

• Working towards completion of an Electrical or Computer Engineering degree.
• Experience with real-time software development on bare-metal or embedded operating system.
• Experience in C programming
• Experience with programming in a language such as Matlab or Python for the purposes of simulation, test automation, and data analysis.

Assets:

• Exposure to DSP algorithms
• Knowledge of html, JavaScript and Java is an asset.
• Hardware exposure and lab environment experience.
• Knowledge of control loops.
• Strong analytical and debugging skill.
• Work easily in collaboration with other.
• Like challenging problems.
• Good team member.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual pay range for this position is $66,400 - $106,000.

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.