Senior Coherent Optical Systems Engineer at Nokia Global Career Site

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Coherent Optical Systems Engineer
Company: Nokia
Location: Canada
Job Type: Full time
Category: Optical Networking & Infrastructure
Date Posted: 2025-06-25

🚀 Role Summary

Innovate in coherent optical systems to push network capacity boundaries and deliver faster connectivity solutions.
Collaborate with a global team of experts in optical networking to combine cutting-edge technology with proven leadership.
Impact the future of connectivity by working on next-generation optical networks that support the AI-driven data center era.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is part of Nokia's Optical Networks division, which recently acquired Infinera, creating an optical networking powerhouse. The successful candidate will be at the forefront of this united industry leader, driving innovation in coherent optical systems.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Design and develop coherent optical systems that meet the demands of high-speed, high-capacity networks.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate optical systems into next-generation network architectures.
Stay current with emerging optical technologies and industry trends to inform system design and innovation.
Mentor junior team members and contribute to a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong technical background in coherent optical systems and a deep understanding of optical networking principles. Experience in AI-driven data center networks would be an asset.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field with a focus on optical communications.

Experience: Proven experience (5-10 years) in coherent optical systems design, development, or testing, with a strong background in telecommunications industry.

Required Skills:

Expertise in coherent optical systems and their application in high-speed networks.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in optical networking protocols and standards (e.g., ITU-T, IEEE, OIF).
Experience with optical simulation tools and lab equipment.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Skills:

Familiarity with AI-driven data center networks and their optical infrastructure requirements.
Experience with programming languages relevant to optical networking (e.g., MATLAB, Python).
Knowledge of optical component design and manufacturing processes.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on innovation and emerging technologies, a strong candidate will have a proven track record of staying current with industry trends and driving technical progress in coherent optical systems.

📊 Portfolio & Project Requirements

While a portfolio is not explicitly required for this role, candidates should be prepared to discuss and present their past projects and accomplishments related to coherent optical systems. Specific attention should be given to:

Technical challenges faced and how they were overcome.
Innovative solutions implemented to improve system performance or reduce costs.
Collaborative efforts with cross-functional teams to integrate optical systems into larger network architectures.
Mentoring and knowledge-sharing experiences that contributed to team growth and technical excellence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD 120,000 - CAD 160,000 per year (based on industry standards for senior optical networking roles in Canada)

Benefits:

Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
Retirement savings plans with company matching.
Generous vacation and paid time off policies.
Employee stock purchase plan.
Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities.
Flexible work arrangements and remote work options, as applicable.

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard office hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM), with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is estimated based on industry standards for senior optical networking roles in Canada, considering the candidate's experience level and the company's size and reputation. Benefits are based on Nokia's standard employee benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Nokia operates in the telecommunications industry, focusing on network infrastructure and optical networking solutions. This role is part of the Optical Networks division, which recently acquired Infinera to create an optical networking powerhouse.

Company Size: Nokia is a large, multinational corporation with a significant presence in the telecommunications industry. This provides ample opportunities for career growth and collaboration with diverse teams.

Founded: Nokia was founded in 1865 and has since grown into a global leader in network and telecommunications technology, with a strong focus on innovation and research and development.

Team Structure:

The Optical Networks division is composed of various teams focused on different aspects of optical networking, including coherent optical systems, network architecture, and AI-driven data center networks.
The team structure encourages cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.

Development Methodology:

Nokia employs Agile methodologies for software development and project management, with a focus on iterative development, continuous improvement, and customer value delivery.
The company encourages a test-driven development approach, with a strong emphasis on quality assurance and performance optimization.

Company Website: Nokia

📝 Enhancement Note: Nokia's acquisition of Infinera has created an optical networking powerhouse, providing the successful candidate with opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies and collaborate with a diverse, global team of experts.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is a senior-level position within the optical networking domain, requiring a strong technical background and proven experience in coherent optical systems. The successful candidate will be expected to drive innovation, mentor junior team members, and contribute to the development of next-generation optical networks.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Coherent Optical Systems Engineer will report directly to the Optical Systems Manager and work closely with cross-functional teams, including network architects, software engineers, and product managers.

Technical Impact: The role will have a significant impact on the development and deployment of next-generation optical networks, driving advancements in coherent optical systems and supporting the growth of AI-driven data center networks.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: As a senior team member, the successful candidate will have opportunities to mentor junior engineers, contribute to technical decision-making, and drive the adoption of emerging technologies.
Architecture & Design: With experience, the candidate may progress to roles focused on optical network architecture and design, working on the development of next-generation network standards and protocols.
Management & Strategy: Long-term career growth may involve transitioning into management roles, where the candidate would be responsible for leading teams, defining strategic objectives, and driving business success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given Nokia's size and global presence, the successful candidate will have ample opportunities for career growth and development within the optical networking domain.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Nokia's offices are modern, collaborative workspaces designed to foster innovation and teamwork. The company encourages a flexible, agile work environment that supports the needs of its diverse workforce.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Canada, with opportunities for remote work and collaboration with global teams.

Workspace Context:

Collaboration: Nokia's offices are designed to facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing, with open workspaces, meeting rooms, and dedicated areas for team-building activities.
Technology & Tools: The company provides its employees with access to cutting-edge technology and tools, including optical simulation software, lab equipment, and collaboration platforms.
Flexibility: Nokia offers flexible work arrangements, including remote work options and flexible hours, to support work-life balance and accommodate individual needs.

Work Schedule: Full-time position with standard office hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM), with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: Nokia's work environment is designed to support the needs of its diverse workforce, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and work-life balance.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen: A brief call to discuss the candidate's background, experience, and motivation for the role.
Technical Deep Dive: A comprehensive technical interview focused on coherent optical systems, optical networking principles, and industry trends. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their past projects and accomplishments in detail.
Behavioral & Cultural Fit: An interview focused on assessing the candidate's problem-solving skills, teamwork, and cultural fit within the Nokia organization.
Final Decision: A review of the candidate's qualifications, interview performance, and fit with the team's needs.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight projects that demonstrate the candidate's expertise in coherent optical systems and their application in high-speed networks.
Emphasize innovative solutions and technical challenges overcome, with a focus on system performance improvement and cost reduction.
Showcase collaborative efforts with cross-functional teams and mentoring experiences that contributed to team growth and technical excellence.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on coherent optical systems principles, optical networking protocols, and industry trends.
Prepare for questions on optical simulation tools, lab equipment, and programming languages relevant to optical networking.
Familiarize yourself with Nokia's products, services, and company culture to demonstrate a strong fit with the organization's mission and values.

ATS Keywords:

Coherent Optical Systems
Optical Networking
High-Speed Networks
Optical Simulation Tools
Lab Equipment
Optical Networking Protocols
AI-Driven Data Center Networks
Optical Component Design
Optical Network Architecture
Technical Mentoring
Innovation
Problem-Solving

📝 Enhancement Note: Nokia's interview process is designed to assess the candidate's technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the organization. Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of coherent optical systems and a passion for driving innovation in the optical networking domain.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

While this role is focused on optical networking rather than web development, the following technologies and tools are relevant to the candidate's work:

Optical Networking Technologies:

Coherent optical systems (e.g., QPSK, 8-QAM, 16-QAM, 32-QAM, 64-QAM)
Optical networking protocols (e.g., ITU-T, IEEE, OIF)
Optical simulation tools (e.g., VPItransmissionMaker, OptiSystem, Lumerical)
Lab equipment (e.g., optical spectrum analyzers, optical power meters, coherent receivers)

Programming Languages:

MATLAB
Python
C++
Java

Collaboration & Productivity Tools:

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Microsoft Teams
Slack
JIRA
Confluence

📝 Enhancement Note: The successful candidate will be proficient in coherent optical systems and optical networking principles, with experience in relevant simulation tools and lab equipment. Familiarity with programming languages relevant to optical networking is also an asset.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Optical Networking Values:

Innovation: Nokia fosters a culture of innovation, encouraging its employees to push the boundaries of optical networking and drive technological advancements.
Collaboration: The company values cross-functional teamwork and knowledge-sharing, with a focus on driving customer value and business success.
Quality: Nokia is committed to delivering high-quality products and services that meet the needs of its customers and exceed industry standards.
Customer Focus: The company prioritizes understanding and addressing the needs of its customers, with a focus on delivering solutions that drive business value and enable digital transformation.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Nokia encourages collaboration between different teams and functions, with a focus on driving customer value and business success.
Code Review & Knowledge-Sharing: The company fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement, with a strong emphasis on code review, knowledge-sharing, and mentoring.
Agile & Iterative Development: Nokia employs Agile methodologies for software development and project management, with a focus on iterative development, continuous improvement, and customer value delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: Nokia's culture is centered around innovation, collaboration, and customer focus, with a strong emphasis on driving technological advancements and delivering high-quality products and services.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Emerging Technologies: Staying current with emerging optical technologies and understanding their implications for coherent optical systems and network architecture.
Scalability & Performance: Designing and optimizing coherent optical systems to meet the demands of high-speed, high-capacity networks, with a focus on scalability and performance.
Standardization & Interoperability: Ensuring that coherent optical systems comply with industry standards and are interoperable with other network components and systems.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Training: Nokia offers technical training and certification programs to help employees develop their skills and advance their careers in the optical networking domain.
Conferences & Events: The company encourages employees to attend industry conferences and events, providing opportunities to learn from experts, network with peers, and stay current with emerging technologies.
Mentoring & Coaching: Nokia fosters a culture of mentoring and coaching, with a focus on helping employees develop their skills, advance their careers, and achieve their full potential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The successful candidate will face technical challenges related to emerging technologies, scalability, performance, and standardization. Nokia provides learning and development opportunities to help employees grow and advance their careers in the optical networking domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Coherent Optical Systems: Questions focused on the principles of coherent optical systems, their application in high-speed networks, and industry trends.
Optical Networking Protocols: Questions related to optical networking protocols, standards, and their implementation in coherent optical systems.
Optical Simulation Tools & Lab Equipment: Questions focused on the use of optical simulation tools and lab equipment in the design, testing, and optimization of coherent optical systems.

Company & Culture Questions:

Nokia's Optical Networks Division: Questions focused on the candidate's understanding of Nokia's Optical Networks division, its products, services, and market position.
Innovation & Collaboration: Questions related to the candidate's approach to innovation, collaboration, and driving technological advancements in the optical networking domain.
Customer Focus: Questions focused on the candidate's understanding of Nokia's customers, their needs, and the role of coherent optical systems in addressing those needs.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Project Walkthrough: Present a detailed walkthrough of a past project focused on coherent optical systems, highlighting the candidate's technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and collaborative efforts.
Innovative Solutions: Emphasize the innovative solutions implemented in the project, with a focus on system performance improvement and cost reduction.
Mentoring & Knowledge-Sharing: Discuss the candidate's mentoring and knowledge-sharing experiences, with a focus on contributing to team growth and technical excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Nokia's interview process is designed to assess the candidate's technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the organization. Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of coherent optical systems and a passion for driving innovation in the optical networking domain.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Coherent Optical Systems Engineer position at Nokia:

Submit your application through the application link provided.
Prepare for the phone screen by reviewing your background, experience, and motivation for the role.
Brush up on your technical knowledge of coherent optical systems, optical networking principles, and industry trends.
Research Nokia's Optical Networks division and familiarize yourself with its products, services, and market position.
Prepare for the technical deep dive by reviewing your past projects and accomplishments related to coherent optical systems.
Practice your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss your approach to innovation, collaboration, and driving technological advancements.
Prepare for the behavioral and cultural fit interview by reflecting on your past experiences and how they have shaped your approach to teamwork, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing.
Review Nokia's company culture and values to ensure a strong fit with your personal and professional goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and optical networking industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Senior Coherent Optical Systems Engineer