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# Optical System Architect

- **Company:** Ciena
- **Location:** New Providence, United States
- **Salary:** $117,800.0 - $188,200.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Network Analysis, Internetworking, Python (Programming Language), Signal Integrity, Software Requirements Analysis, Systems Architecture, Performance Testing, Modeling and Simulation
- **Published:** October 8, 2026
- **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/optical-system-architect-ciena-8701609

## About the Role

* 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

## Description

JobPosting
MonetaryAmount
USD
QuantitativeValue
188200
117800
YEAR
2026-07-06T00:00:00Z

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.

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