Photonic Card Software Developer - New Grad 2025

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.

Why Ciena?

· We are a company rooted in people—seeking to create a vibrant and inclusive environment, where everyone feels they can belong.

· Our interns and graduates work on real projects in real time in world class labs. Be a part of tomorrow’s future – today.

· We recognize that learning does not stop when you leave school - we champion a team environment for development and provide the tools to achieve success.

· We are big proponents of life-work integration. Our people make a significant difference at Ciena, but we want to shine light on their differences outside of working hours too. CienaCares supports non-profit causes important to employees by matching employee financial contributions and dedicating time for volunteering.

How You Will Contribute:

Our team designs, implements, integrates, and maintains real-time photonic card software for several of Ciena’s Optical Ethernet Network flagship products, leveraging advanced coherent optics, automated OTN, packet and SONET/SDH switching, control plane, and unified network management—to help network operators scale, manage, and differentiate their services.

What Does Ciena Expect of You?

· A sense of urgency – what is important to the customer is equally important to you. You make getting things done a priority.

· Integrity – you hold yourself to the highest level of personal and professional standards of conduct.

· A commitment to innovation – you continually seek to learn, understand modern technologies and ever-changing market conditions, and endeavor to apply that knowledge to Ciena’s advantage.

· You embrace change – thriving in a diverse environment of ever-changing priorities and sometimes stressful situations.

· The flexibility to work independently with minimal supervision as well as part of a broader team.

The Must Haves:

· Bachelor’s or higher degree in computer or electrical engineering, computer science, or similar disciplines

· Proficiency with C and Python

Assets:

· Developing software for embedded systems or telecom products

· Understanding of CPU hardware architectures, hardware functional specifications, hardware timing diagrams, device data sheets

· Understanding of real-time operating systems and embedded systems

· Using Linux and VxWorks and developing software for those targets

· Software development tools such as git, BitBucket, Gerrit, Jira, etc.

· Unit test frameworks such as Google Test, JUnit, Robot, PyTest, and the like

· Debuggers and tools (e.g., gdb) for developing and troubleshooting software

· High-level programming and scripting languages such as C++, Java, Perl, Tcl, LUA, bash

· Software development methodologies such as Agile or Waterfall

· Familiarity with datacom and telecom concepts such as DWDM, SONET/SDH, OTN, Ethernet, OSI Model, TCP/IP, MPLS

The annual pay range for this position is $62,100 - $99,100.

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.
 

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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.