Senior Software Engineer
At a glance
Senior Software Engineering role at Ciena. Atlanta · full-time · $85,900–$137,000 base.
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Build C-based embedded software on Linux that configures ASICs and other hardware components
- Manage hardware resources and meet data-path needs for transport and switching applications
- Review product requirements and customer use cases, then use them to shape software designs
- Plan, estimate, and track development with nearby and remote engineering teams
- Prototype options on target hardware and contribute through implementation, testing, and technical documentation
What you bring
- A bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering
- At least two years in embedded software for networking or telecommunications, building applications with C or C++
- Hands-on work with BSP development, security features, board bring-up, and Linux kernel or user-space drivers
- Knowledge of embedded Linux concepts, datacom or telecom protocols, and debugging with GDB or Valgrind
Who this fits
This senior individual-contributor role suits an embedded engineer with networking or telecom experience who can work across software and hardware. The position is based in Atlanta.
From the employer
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.
Senior Software Engineer, WaveLogic Modem Software Development plays a critical role in delivering next-generation optical transport and switching capabilities at Ciena. This role contributes to embedded software that enables high-performance Layer 1/2 networking across advanced hardware platforms. The work directly impacts product quality, scalability, and customer adoption.How you will make an impact:
- Design embedded software in C running on Linux to configure ASIC and hardware components
- Implement software to manage hardware resources and meet data path requirements for transport and switching applications
- Collaborate with local and remote engineering teams to plan, estimate, and track development activities
- Contribute across the product development lifecycle including definition, design, planning, implementation, and testing
- Review product requirements and customer use cases to inform software design decisions
- Prototype and evaluate alternative solutions on target hardware platforms
- Deliver functional specifications and technical design documentation for embedded software architectures
The must haves:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
- Experience: 2+ years of experience in an embedded software development role within a networking or telecommunications environment, including building applications using C or C++
- Application of BSP development, security features, and board bring-up
- Development of Linux kernel drivers and user space drivers
- Application of embedded systems concepts including Linux operating systems, mutual exclusion, synchronization, interrupt handling, and inter-process communication
- Background in datacom and telecom concepts such as DWDM, OTN, Ethernet, and TCP/IP
- Debugging using tools such as GDB and Valgrind
- Verbal and technical writing skills
Nice to haves:
- Experience designing embedded systems using microservice architecture on real-time operating systems
- Ability to interpret CPU hardware architectures, hardware functional specifications, and hardware timing diagrams
- Linux as a software development environment
- Exposure to CLI, TL1, SNMP, NETCONF, REST, and gRPC
- Use of development tools including Git, Eclipse, JIRA, Confluence, GDB, and Yocto
- YANG modeling language and related toolchains
- Scripting using Python, Go, or Bash
Pay Range:
Pay range information for this position, in USD is:85,900.00 - 137,000.00Pay 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.
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.
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