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Network Planning and Tool Development - Job Opportunity at Ciena

Ottawa, Canada
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 9, 2025
Remote
CAD 82,400-131,600 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive dental coverage providing financial protection for routine and emergency dental care, positioning employees advantageously compared to standard market offerings
Professional employee assistance program delivering confidential counseling and support services, demonstrating company investment in workforce mental health and productivity
Employee stock purchase program enabling direct ownership stake in company performance with potential tax advantages and wealth building opportunities
Paid sick leave ensuring income protection during health-related absences, exceeding minimum legal requirements in many jurisdictions
Generous paid time off allocation supporting work-life balance and employee retention, competitive with top-tier technology employers
Complete vision care coverage including routine eye exams and corrective lenses, addressing a critical health need often overlooked by competitors
401(K) with company matching in USA and DCPP in Canada, providing substantial retirement savings acceleration through employer contributions
Medical insurance coverage ensuring comprehensive healthcare access and reducing personal financial exposure to medical expenses

Key Responsibilities

Lead advanced network architecture analysis for global telecommunications customers, directly influencing multi-million dollar infrastructure investment decisions and network evolution strategies
Develop sophisticated Python-based algorithms and automation tools that optimize network capacity planning, route assignment, and failure simulation processes, creating competitive advantages for customer deployments
Collaborate with international sales teams to design and optimize customer IP and optical network architectures, serving as technical authority on complex networking solutions worth hundreds of millions in revenue potential
Drive product development initiatives by working closely with PLM teams to bring innovative network planning capabilities to market, shaping the future of Ciena's product portfolio
Conduct in-depth research into network optimization strategies and emerging technologies, establishing thought leadership that influences industry standards and customer adoption patterns

Requirements

Education

Masters or Ph.D. degree in Engineering or related field

Experience

Proven industry experience

Required Skills

Proficiency in python programming Experience with the use of AI tools as aids to software code development Some experience in network analysis, and optimization Working knowledge of optical transport and data networking technologies (DWDM, OTN, Carrier Ethernet, and IP/MPLS) Good communication skills
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The telecommunications infrastructure market is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by 5G deployments, edge computing expansion, and increasing bandwidth demands from cloud services and streaming applications. Network planning specialists are becoming critical as operators need to optimize complex multi-layer networks while managing capital expenditure constraints. Artificial intelligence and machine learning integration in network planning tools is accelerating rapidly, with companies investing heavily in automated optimization algorithms to handle the complexity of modern heterogeneous networks. This trend is creating demand for professionals who can bridge traditional networking expertise with AI/ML development capabilities. The shift toward software-defined networking and network function virtualization is fundamentally changing how networks are planned and operated, requiring specialists who understand both physical infrastructure constraints and software-based optimization techniques. Optical networking technology is evolving rapidly with advances in coherent transmission, flexible grid DWDM, and space-division multiplexing, creating opportunities for specialists who can develop planning tools for next-generation optical networks.

Salary Evaluation

The CAD 82,400-131,600 range is competitive for the Canadian market and reflects the senior-level nature of this role. Converting to USD (approximately $61,000-97,000), this aligns well with similar network planning positions in major North American technology centers, though it may be slightly below comparable roles in Silicon Valley or Seattle markets.

Role Significance

Typically part of a 6-12 person Advanced Network Planning group, likely reporting to a senior manager or director level position. The role involves collaboration across multiple departments including sales, product management, and development teams, indicating a matrix organizational structure with significant cross-functional interaction.
This is a senior-level individual contributor role with significant technical leadership responsibilities. The position requires advanced degree qualifications and proven industry experience, indicating placement at a senior engineer or specialist level within Ciena's technical hierarchy. The role involves direct customer interaction and product development influence, suggesting substantial organizational impact.

Key Projects

Development of next-generation network planning algorithms for 5G and beyond infrastructure Customer network optimization projects involving multi-million dollar infrastructure investments Product roadmap development for network planning and design tools Strategic network architecture consulting for tier-1 telecommunications operators

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in both optical networking fundamentals and modern software development practices, enabling effective bridging between physical network constraints and algorithmic optimization solutions Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities to tackle complex network optimization challenges that directly impact customer operational efficiency and capital expenditure decisions Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders from sales teams to product managers to customer technical teams Adaptability to rapidly evolving networking technologies and ability to translate emerging technical concepts into practical planning tools and methodologies Customer-focused mindset with ability to understand business requirements and translate them into technical solutions that provide measurable value

Market Demand

High demand driven by telecommunications infrastructure modernization, 5G network deployments, and the critical need for network optimization expertise as operators balance performance requirements with cost constraints.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Python programming proficiency is essential as the primary tool for algorithm development and automation, enabling the creation of sophisticated network optimization solutions that provide competitive advantages for customers and drive product differentiation Deep understanding of optical transport and data networking technologies (DWDM, OTN, Carrier Ethernet, IP/MPLS) forms the foundation for effective network planning and optimization, as these technologies represent the core infrastructure that customers depend on for their business operations Network analysis and optimization experience is crucial for identifying performance bottlenecks, capacity constraints, and architectural improvements that can save customers millions in operational costs and capital expenditures

Beneficial Skills

Machine learning and artificial intelligence expertise beyond basic AI tool usage, enabling development of more sophisticated optimization algorithms and predictive network planning capabilities Experience with cloud-native software development practices and containerization technologies, supporting the industry trend toward software-defined networking and network function virtualization Understanding of network security principles and secure design practices, increasingly important as networks become more software-defined and exposed to cyber threats Project management and customer engagement skills to effectively lead complex network planning engagements and coordinate cross-functional development initiatives

Unique Aspects

The role combines traditional network planning expertise with cutting-edge AI tool development, positioning the specialist at the forefront of network automation and optimization technology advancement
Direct involvement in shaping customer network evolution strategies provides exceptional visibility into industry trends and opportunity to influence multi-billion dollar infrastructure investment decisions
Integration with both sales and product development teams offers unique career development opportunities spanning technical, commercial, and product management disciplines
Access to Ciena's global customer base and advanced networking technologies provides exposure to the most complex and innovative network deployment scenarios in the industry

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing individuals, with opportunities for accelerated advancement based on successful customer engagements and product development contributions.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Network Planning Architect with expanded customer portfolio and strategic planning responsibilities Product Manager for network planning tools, leveraging technical expertise to drive product strategy and market positioning Technical Sales Engineer or Solutions Architect role, combining deep technical knowledge with customer-facing responsibilities Engineering Manager leading network planning teams and driving organizational technical strategy

Company Overview

Ciena

Ciena is a publicly-traded global leader in optical networking and network software solutions, serving telecommunications operators, cable providers, governments, and enterprises worldwide. The company has established itself as a technology innovator in coherent optical transmission, packet networking, and network management software, with a strong focus on enabling high-bandwidth, low-latency network infrastructure.

Ciena holds a leading position in the global optical networking equipment market, competing directly with companies like Huawei, Nokia, and Infinera. The company has demonstrated consistent technological innovation and maintains strong relationships with major telecommunications operators globally, positioning it well for continued growth in the 5G and cloud infrastructure markets.
The Ottawa location represents Ciena's significant Canadian operations and R&D presence, benefiting from Canada's strong telecommunications engineering talent pool and favorable technology development ecosystem. This location provides access to both North American and international markets while offering competitive operational costs.
Ciena emphasizes a people-first culture with flexible work arrangements and strong focus on employee development and belonging. The company's commitment to remote work options and comprehensive benefits package reflects modern technology company practices aimed at attracting and retaining top engineering talent in a competitive market.
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