About the posting
“We are seeking a hands-on Hardware Engineer who enjoys deep technical analysis, practical measurement work, and collaborating closely with design teams to ensure robust, high-quality hardware systems.”
Read the full posting on Ciena's site
Seen live Oct 23, 2026; first seen Oct 11, 2026.
Pay in context
This posting lists $99,800 to $159,400 a year, a midpoint of $129,600.
The midpoint is higher than 82 percent of engineering (not software) postings in New Jersey that list pay.
New Jersey has a pay transparency law: covered employers must include a pay range in a job posting. Which employers are covered depends on their size.
How long it has been open
Posted Sep 3, 2026, 51 days ago, and seen on Ciena's careers page today.
At 51 days old, it is under the 92-day median.
Ciena's postings we have seen close took a median of 6 days.
Ciena at a glance
Ciena has 38 open postings that we can see, 1 in engineering (not software); 45 percent list pay.
The application
Applying goes through Workday.
This employer's system needs an account on their side; we guide you through the steps.
Seniority
Level: senior.
The posting mentions 3+ years.
Place and cost of living
On site in New Jersey; prices in NJ run 9 percent above the US average.
Similar jobs at similar pay
The engineering (not software) market in New Jersey
27 engineering (not software) postings in New Jersey are open right now, from 10 employers.
Half of them have been open 92 days or less.
From Ciena's posting
This is Ciena's own text, as published on its job board. We last checked it on Oct 23, 2026. Apply on Ciena's site. We remove a posting when the employer closes it.
As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.
Ciena is advancing the adaptive network through innovation in optical and routing systems, services, and automation software. We are seeking a hands-on Hardware Engineer who enjoys deep technical analysis, practical measurement work, and collaborating closely with design teams to ensure robust, high-quality hardware systems. This position plays a key role in validating designs, identifying issues early through schematic reviews, and troubleshooting hardware in a lab environment using industry-standard instrumentation.
How you will make an impact
- Review analog and digital schematics for correctness, completeness, and alignment with design best practices
- Identify risks related to power integrity, signal integrity, component selection, and layout constraints and collaborate cross-functionally to isolate cross-domain issues
- Provide actionable feedback to improve reliability, manufacturability, and testability
- Perform board bring-up activities for new boards and prototypes
- Debug power, clocking, interface, and system-level issues
- Evaluate signal integrity, noise, timing and power behavior and develop/execute basic validation test procedures
- Execute root-cause analysis of hardware failures and recommend corrective actions
- Conduct electrical measurements using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, DMMs, spectrum analyzers, and power supplies
- Capture and analyze waveforms to validate performance against specifications
- Document schematic reviews, lab findings, and prepare debug reports to support knowledge sharing
The must haves
- Education: Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
- Experience: 3+ years experience in board bring-up and prototype validation
- Application of electronics fundamentals across analog and digital domains
- Capability to read and review schematics
- Utilization of lab instrumentation including oscilloscopes and power supplies
- Familiarity with common interfaces (e.g., SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, PCIe is a plus)
- Application of debugging and problem-solving techniques
- Scripting or automation experience (Python or similar) for lab workflows
Nice to haves
- Exposure to power electronics including DC/DC converters, PMICs, and power sequencing
- Understanding of signal integrity and high-speed design considerations
- Familiarity with PCB layout concepts
- Experience using EDA tools such as Altium, Cadence, KiCad, or OrCAD
- Embedded firmware experience with ARM microcontrollers
Pay Range: The annual salary range for this position is $99,800 - $159,400 USD
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.
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.