Research Scientist Engineer - FEC Design Engineer

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.

• Create and analyze forward error correction (FEC) designs for next-generation high-speed optical communication systems.
• Work closely with the Modem Signal Processing Team on the implementation of digital algorithms in Ciena products.
• Analyze challenging problems in your areas of knowledge which would be a subset of: coding theory, statistics, signal processing, communications theory, control theory, high-speed algorithms, and optical physics.
• Create innovative solutions that can be implemented in CMOS.
• Model in MATLAB.
• Learn new mathematical areas.
• Don’t know optical physics? No problem – you can learn it here!
• Interface and collaborate with DSP, hardware, firmware, electro-optic, systems, and measurements teams.
• Provide feedback & suggestions on existing designs; contribute ideas to improve design procedures.
• Share expertise and best practices with adjacent teams.
• Key DSP technology to enable state-of-the-art coherent optical modem and DWDM systems.
• Verified models and supporting measurements that predict modem performance and define modem specifications, respectively.

• Ph.D. /Master's degree in Electric Engineering or Computer Science with a background in Coding theory/Statistics/ Mathematics and/or Digital Communications.

• Familiarity with different types of FEC such as LDPC, algebraic (RS, BCH, RM) and Polar codes.
• C, C++ experience.

Pay Range: The annual pay range for the position is $80,900 - $129,200.

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.