About the Role
Join Ciena's xPO System Architecture and Simulation team driving next-generation optical interconnect innovation for AI-scale systems. This role shapes the architecture 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:
•Define architectures for current and future xPO interconnect products
•Evaluate high-level system requirements and translate them into subcomponent specifications for engineering teams
•Lead system-level modeling and simulation efforts to enable end-to-end performance validation
•Correlate simulated and measured performance data to refine internal models
•Advance internally developed Python-based link simulation tools
•Collaborate across photonic integrated circuits (PICs), electrical integrated circuit (EICs), packaging, and other engineering groups to optimize system design
•Present system insights and results to internal and external stakeholders
The must haves:
•Master's degree (+) in Optics/Photonics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering with industry experience in simulation, measurement, or system architecture
•Knowledge of high-speed photonics and optical system design with emphasis on integrated photonics
•Understanding of signal integrity principles and intensity modulation/direct detection (IMDD) transceiver design
•Proficiency in Python programming
•Ability to synthesize complex technical findings into clear communication
Nice to haves:
•PhD in Optics/Photonics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering
•Familiarity with IEEE and Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) standards
•Experience with signal integrity and power integrity analysis
•Knowledge of digital signal processing and numerical analysis
•Background in silicon photonics
•Experience with high-speed test and measurement tools such as vector network analyzers (VNAs), bit-error-rate testers (BERTs), and oscilloscopes
Pay Range
The annual pay range for this position in New Jersey is $131,500 - $210,100 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. 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) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time.
