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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Blue Planet Data Management Lead - **Company:** Ciena - **Location:** London, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Training Data, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Engineering, Data Architecture, Digital Architecture, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Network Topologies, Data Intelligence, Meta-Data Management, Netconf, Network Monitoring, Cloud Services, Software Engineering, Virtualization Technology, Enterprise Data Management, Digital Twin, Computer Network Operations, Large Language Models, Multi-Cloud, Data Strategy, Kubernetes, Data Lineage, Data Management, Open Network Automation Platform, Network Optimization, Microservices - **Published:** August 20, 2026 - **Apply:** https://ciena.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers/job/London/Blue-Planet-Data-Management-Lead_R031020-1 ## About the Role * Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Software Engineering with telecommunications, networking, or communications systems concentration, or equivalent experience * Experience: 15+ years of experience in the telecom software industry with at least 5+ years of product line management experience * Application of telecom data modeling, schema design, graph or ontology structures, and enterprise data management tools * Application of AI and ML data requirements including feature stores, training data pipelines, data lineage, and model grounding techniques for GenAI or LLM use cases * Background in OSS environments including network automation, orchestration, inventory, assurance, and network management systems * Exposure to telecom network domains including fixed, mobile or RAN, and cable or MSO across core, transport, and access layers * Experience introducing complex technical products or architectures into Tier-1 CSP or network provider environments Nice to haves: * Background in cloud-native architectures including Kubernetes, microservices, and cloud data platforms * Exposure to multi-cloud environments * Collaboration across engineering, product management, marketing, and field organizations * Engagement with industry analysts and participation in analyst briefings * Contribution to industry forums such as TM Forum, MEF, ETSI, or ONF * Development of technical content including whitepapers, blogs, or conference presentations * Support of go-to-market strategy and product positioning ## Description As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We're a technology company that leads with our humanity-driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact. Ciena is advancing intelligent, automated networks through its Blue Planet portfolio by enabling data-driven innovation and AI-powered operations. This role leads the definition of data strategy, architecture, and productization for telecom data, enabling scalable digital twin capabilities and data platforms that support next-generation network operations. The position plays a critical role in aligning data foundations with AI, automation, and product innovation across the portfolio. How you will make an impact: * Define and own the canonical telco data model and ontology across network topology, service lifecycle, inventory, assurance, and OSS domains * Align data models with industry standards including TM Forum Open APIs, SID/eTOM, Open Digital Architecture, YANG/NETCONF, and TOSCA * Drive adoption of ontology models across product teams as the semantic foundation for data exchange, AI training, and digital twin deployment * Develop and lead the data fabric product architecture, including federated access, streaming pipelines, virtualization, metadata management, and lineage tracking * Translate data architecture vision into scalable, cloud-native and microservices-based implementations in collaboration with engineering teams * Define and deliver the telco digital twin strategy, including use cases such as network optimization, predictive maintenance, and simulation * Engage with customers, partners, and industry forums to validate solutions, influence standards, and position the portfolio in the market ## Related Videos - [Blueprints for Success: Steering a Global Data & AI Architecture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1577-blueprints-for-success-steering-a-global-data-ai-architecture) - [The Open-source Java SDK for Multi-Cloud Development - Sandeep Pal](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2113-the-open-source-java-sdk-for-multi-cloud-development-sandeep-pal) - [Understanding Kubernetes in a visual way](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100085-understanding-kubernetes-in-a-visual-way) - [Modern Data Architectures need Software Engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1030-modern-data-architectures-need-software-engineering) - [Leverage Cloud Computing Benefits with Serverless Multi-Cloud ML ](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/78-leverage-cloud-computing-benefits-with-serverless-multi-cloud-ml) - [Instant KAI Sandboxes with vCluster: Multi-Tenant, Multi-Scheduler GPU Sharing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100333-instant-kai-sandboxes-with-vcluster-multi-tenant-multi-scheduler-gpu-sharing) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production) - [Everything a Developer Needs to Know About MCP with Neo4j](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/604-everything-a-developer-needs-to-know-about-mcp-with-neo4j) - [Graph and AI Trends 2026: Why Is AI Running but Not Yet Delivering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/680-graph-and-ai-trends-2026-why-is-ai-running-but-not-yet-delivering) - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence) - [A Guide to Green Tech and Green IT Careers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/374-a-guide-to-green-tech-and-green-it-careers)