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Senior Coherent Optical Systems Architect

Nokia

Nokia

IT
United States
USD 120,133.33-223,104.76 / year + Equity
Posted on Aug 6, 2025

Senior Coherent Optical Systems Architect

United States (Hybrid)

In an increasingly connected world, the pandemic has highlighted just how essential telecom networks are to keeping society running. The Network Infrastructure group is at the heart of a revolution to connectivity, pushing the boundaries to deliver more and faster network capacity to people worldwide through our ambition, innovation, and technical expertise​

Join Optical Networks division, where innovation meets scale in the AI-driven data center era. With the recent acquisition of Infinera, we’ve united two industry leaders to create an optical networking powerhouse—combining cutting-edge technology with proven leadership to redefine the future of connectivity.

Nokia is seeking a Coherent Optical System Architect to join our Optical Systems Group (OSG). The engineer will be responsible for contributing to the development of leading coherent MODEMs based on Infinera's next-generation coherent photonic integrated circuits (PICs).

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE AND WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Nokia’s next generation communications platform will be defined, developed, characterized, and optimized on your optical testbed. Your experimental data will fuel our design, starting with off-the-shelf components, evolving to prototype PICs, and eventually taking the form of the final integrated embedded systems or coherent pluggable modules. This requires ownership of the optical design, optimization methods, and stabilization techniques. One particular component of your research will be pushing our optical systems to higher baud rates.

Frequently used diagnosis capturing coherent waveforms on a high-speed oscilloscope and performing coherent signal processing on waveforms, and measuring bit-error rate performance in the presence of optical noise and other impairments. Of particular interest will be pushing to faster baud rates.

Through frequent interaction with the control & firmware teams, you will assist in optimizing performance-critical aspects such as powerup self-calibration, receive acquisition, real-time performance monitoring, and in-service performance optimization. These algorithms will be tested during the implementation stage to ensure they operate properly.

Results will be presented internally and documented as electrical and optical performance specifications for next-generation platforms.

Some customer-facing interactions may be required, such as field trials using prototype equipment, or debugging unusual field failures that cannot be resolved through the normal customer service process.

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  • PhD. in Electrical Engineering or Applied Physics with minimum of 3 years of industrial experience in optical communications, photonics, high speed electronics or systems.
  • Fundamental understanding of optical communication systems, DWDM transmission systems, fiber transmission penalties, photonic integrated components, electronic (integrated) circuits, and signal analysis and processing.
  • Hands-on experience working with system-level optical communication hardware and components.
  • Extensive understanding of coherent communications systems, including experience with QPSK, 16QAM, and 64QAM, as well as coding and forward error correction algorithms.
  • Experience characterizing high-speed RF and mm-wave interconnects, amplifiers, and components.
  • Characterization of RF/mm-wave systems, such as S parameter measurements, jitter measurements, and ADC/DAC performance and ENOB
  • Hands-on experience with high-speed optical and electrical test, and measurement equipment control and data acquisition.
  • Programming experience in Matlab, Python, VB.net, or C desired.

About Us

Come create the technology that helps the world act together

Nokia is committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. Your career here will have a positive impact on people’s lives and will help us build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive world.
We challenge ourselves to create an inclusive way of working where we are open to new ideas, empowered to take risks and fearless to bring our authentic selves to work

What we offer

Nokia offers continuous learning opportunities, well-being programs to support you mentally and physically, opportunities to join and get supported by employee resource groups, mentoring programs and highly diverse teams with an inclusive culture where people thrive and are empowered.

Nokia is committed to inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer

Nokia has received the following recognitions for its commitment to inclusion & equality:

  • One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere
  • Gender-Equality Index by Bloomberg
  • Workplace Pride Global Benchmark
At Nokia, we act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Nokia’s employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.
Join us and be part of a company where you will feel included and empowered to succeed.

Additional Information

US/Canada Nokia Offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes but is not limited to:
  • Corporate Retirement Savings Plan
  • Health and dental benefits
  • Short-term disability, and long-term disability
  • Life insurance, and AD&D – Company paid 2x base pay
  • Optional or Supplemental life and AD&D insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child)
  • Paid time off for holidays and Vacation
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Tuition Assistance Plan
  • Adoption assistance
  • Employee Assistance Program/Work Life Resource Program
The above benefits exclude students. Disclaimer for US/Canada

Nokia Maintains broad annual base salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience and market conditions, and with consideration to internal peer equity.(Check the salary ranges in the job info section for this role)

All North America job posts will post for a minimum of 7 calendar days and up to 180 days or until candidate/s identified.

Job Info

  • Job Category Applied R&D
  • Posting Date 06/08/2025, 03:01 am
  • Locations 6373 San Ignacio Avenue, San Jose, California, 95113, US (Hybrid)
  • Degree Level Doctor’s degree (e.g PhD)
  • Job Schedule Full time
  • Role Type Individual contributor
  • US/Canada Salary Range US Salary range: $120,133.33 - $223,104.76 *Plus, potential incentive/variable compensation for eligible roles.
  • Job Identification 23160

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