Software Governance Specialist

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We're a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being-on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

• Review and approve Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) for our products to ensure that open source software components are accurately identified, and that associated licensing, security, and intellectual property risks have been appropriately assessed and addressed.
• Partner with engineering, product line management, and cross-functional teams to provide guidance on the use of third-party, open source, and proprietary software, promoting compliant and responsible practices.
• Support the identification and management of risks related to software licensing, intellectual property, security vulnerabilities, and use of AI with a focus on governance processes, best practices, and risk mitigation approaches.
• Maintain and improve Software Governance frameworks, processes, and tools to ensure compliance with company policies, legal requirements, and industry standards.
• Contribute to the development, review, and continuous improvement of policies, procedures, and best practices related to Software Governance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure transparency and accuracy in software inventory, compliance documentation, and customer disclosures.
• Build strong working relationships across teams to drive awareness, accountability, and adoption of governance practices.
• Continuously develop expertise in software licensing, intellectual property, and responsible use of AI, while identifying and analyzing emerging trends and new Software Governance considerations.

• Foundational understanding of open source software and licensing concepts, including common license types and obligations.
• Knowledge of basic software licensing principles, including both open source and commercial licensing models.
• Practical experience with software development environments and processes, and the role of governance, compliance, and security within the lifecycle.
• Basic understanding of AI technologies and their use in software development and business contexts, including associated governance considerations (e.g., responsible use and risk awareness).
• Awareness of emerging AI trends and architectures (e.g., generative AI, agentic systems) and their potential governance implications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess risks and recommend practical solutions with support structured risk evaluations and documentation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical or compliance-related topics to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and build positive working relationships.
• Self-motivated with a strong desire to learn and grow into a broader governance and advisory role.

• Working knowledge of software composition analysis (SCA) tools and software vulnerability management practices.
• Deeper understanding of software intellectual property concepts, including copyright, licensing rights, and contractual obligations.
• Familiarity with modern software development and delivery practices, including secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) and integrated Dev Sec Ops  environments.
• Experience supporting or contributing to policy development, risk mitigation tracking, audits, or compliance.
• Familiarity with AI governance frameworks and standards (e.g., NIST AI RMF, EU AI Act concepts) and how they map to internal practices and policies.
• Experience identifying and assessing AI-related risks across the lifecycle (data, model, deployment), including privacy, bias, security, and regulatory exposure, and support structured risk evaluations and documentation.

This role is designed to evolve over time. Initially focused on open source Software Governance, the successful candidate will progressively expand their scope to include:

• Providing guidance on software licensing strategy and commercial licensing considerations
• Supporting governance initiatives related to the company's responsible use of AI
• Contributing to the definition and evolution of enterprise policies, procedures, and Software Governance frameworks

This position offers a unique…