Key skills
Field Application EngineeringHigh-speed hardwareOptical interconnectSilicon bring-upDatacenter systems engineeringDSP/retimerSERDESPCIeEthernetHigh-speed test equipmentDebuggingCustomer empathyBuilder mindsetCommunication skillsDocumentation skillsPresentation skillsRAIAWSLeadershipCommunicationPresentation SkillsCustomer SuccessSales
About this role
Ciena is a global leader in high-speed connectivity, emphasizing a people-first approach and flexible work environment. They are seeking a highly technical Sales Engineer to support their Interconnects business by engaging with hyperscalers and AI compute builders, driving solution positioning and performance validation.
Responsibilities:
- Provide pre-sales technical leadership for Ciena's Interconnects portfolio across hyperscalers, OEMs, and AI/compute system partners
- Lead lab bring-up, debug, interoperability validation, configuration, and performance testing
- Translate customer system architectures and requirements into technical solutions and roadmap inputs
- Support quoting decisions, technical documentation, product collateral, compliance materials, and solution configuration
- Partner with BD and account teams to guide complex design-win cycles from evaluation to production
- Serve as primary technical interface for proof-of-concepts (POCs), interoperability events, compliance, and early deployments
- Deliver technical workshops, product demos, architecture sessions, and executive-level technical briefings
- Provide competitive intelligence, ecosystem developments, and silicon/optics trends to influence PLM and roadmap alignment
- Support post-sales issue triage with R&D, sustaining engineering, and quality teams — ensuring customer success during scale-up
- Advocate for customer requirements while balancing PLM strategy, roadmap alignment, and commercial constraints
Requirements:
- 7–12 years in FAE, solutions engineering, high-speed hardware, optical interconnect, silicon bring-up, or datacenter systems engineering
- Deep familiarity with one or more of: DSP/retimer, SERDES, optics/pluggables, AEC/ACC, PCIe, Ethernet, high-speed test equipment
- Experience working directly with hyperscalers (AWS, Google, Meta, Microsoft, etc.) and/or major OEMs (Cisco, Arista, HPE/Juniper, etc.)
- Hands-on debugging with oscilloscopes, BERTs, IBIS-AMI, simulation, or signal integrity tools
- Ability to engage simultaneously at engineering depth and executive clarity
- BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or similar required; MS preferred
- Strong communication, documentation, and presentation skills — able to translate between engineering, PLM, and commercial audiences