Optical System Architect

About the role

The xPO System Architecture and Simulation team at Ciena is dedicated to driving next-generation optical interconnect innovation for AI-scale systems. This role focuses on shaping 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 circuits (EICs), packaging, and other engineering groups to optimize system design
• Present system insights and results to internal and external stakeholders

Requirements

• 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

Qualifications

• PhD in Optics/Photonics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering (Nice to have)
• Familiarity with IEEE and Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) standards (Nice to have)
• Experience with signal integrity and power integrity analysis (Nice to have)
• Knowledge of digital signal processing and numerical analysis (Nice to have)
• Experience with high-speed test and measurement tools such as vector network analyzers (VNAs), bit-error-rate testers (BERTs), and oscilloscopes (Nice to have)

Skills

• Python programming
• System architecture and design
• Signal integrity principles
• Optical system design
• High-speed photonics

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision plans
• 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Vacation time

Pay

The annual pay range for this position is $117,800 - $188,200. 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.