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Senior Optical Test Automation Engineer

Ciena

Ciena

Software Engineering, Quality Assurance
Ottawa, ON, Canada
USD 77,500-164,500 / year + Equity
Posted on Jan 29, 2026

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.

The Optical Test Automation Engineering role is a key position reporting to the Manager, NPI PON Test Automation. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing test automation development, support and expertise enabling volume manufacturing of Passive Optical Network pluggable modules. This is an onsite role in Ottawa.

  • You will work amongst a team of Software and Engineering development specialists, ensuring they are enabled, empowered, and motivated.

  • You will extract existing test software solutions and migrate them to a scalable and maintainable volume production environment.

  • You will validate test software algorithms and provide feedback to other developers and stakeholders

  • You will participate in test architecture discussions centered around parallel processing to enable high volume solution with minimal cost, touch-time, and footprint.

  • You will work closely with the R&D team located in Ottawa ON to define product manufacturing and test requirements and architectures.

  • You will collaborate with the other engineering teams in Ottawa supporting the development of test solutions for Ciena’s optical product portfolio including Process Engineering, Product Engineering, Test Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Project Management.

  • You will integrate new hardware and software test solutions in our Ottawa NPI lab for delivery to volume manufacturing partners.

  • You will support manufacturing in USA, Mexico and Asia by interacting with factory engineers and monitoring test data, performing statistical analysis using Ciena’s state-of the-art data analytics engine.

The Must Haves:

  • Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, physics, or computer science or related field

  • A minimum of 2 years' experience programming in Python

  • A minimum of 4 years’ experience in a high tech industry

  • Eligible for business travel to the USA and Thailand

  • Experience with optical product testing

  • Experience with git-based source code control systems

  • Experience interfacing with test instruments and embedded microcontrollers

  • Knowledge of the latest software development tools and environments.

  • A desire to standardize and control product development tools, processes, and libraries, to help scale and maintain the development environment.

  • A desire to make product manufacturing achieve high yield, high quality, high reliability, and high robustness.

  • Interest to capture top failure modes and provide clear instructions into the automation software to strive for autonomous factory execution.

Nice to haves:

  • Experience with optical testing with a specific focus on PON (Passive Optical Network) products including compliance to specifications and standards.

  • Experience developing manufacturing automation software and solutions.

  • Experience with Github and Github Actions.

  • Experience in the optical telecom industry.

  • Experience directly supporting volume manufacturing in Asia.

  • Knowledge of routing and switching product services and functions.

  • Direct knowledge and/or experience with Ciena’s optical products.


Pay Range:

The salary range for this role in Ottawa is $77, 500 - $164, 500

Pay 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.

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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.