Optical Validation Engineer

Looking for Optical Validation Engineer, Remote (Indie)

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Optical Solutions Validation Engineer to join our client’s advanced networking team. The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on expertise with Ciena’s optical portfolio, particularly the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform, Reconfigurable Line Systems (RLS), and associated DWDM/OTN technologies. The role involves end-to-end validation, testing, and certification of optical solutions in lab environments, enabling reliable production deployment and scalability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead solution validation and interoperability testing of optical transport systems including Ciena 6500, RLS, Waveserver platforms.
• Design and implement comprehensive test plans, lab topologies, and documentation to validate performance, feature sets, and network scalability.
• Conduct DWDM/OTN testing, spectral analysis, and assess fiber impairments and amplifier tuning in various configurations.
• Validate high-speed transport solutions such as 100G/400G/800G, along with L0/L1 grooming, and client-side services (e.g., Ethernet, SONET/SDH, Fibre Channel).
• Troubleshoot with Solution Architects and Product Engineering teams to isolate and resolve system-level issues.
• Use network management platforms like Blue Planet MCP, ONMSi, or equivalents for service provisioning and monitoring.
• Document detailed test outcomes, regression results, and share feedback with R&D for continuous product improvements.
• Participate in network upgrade simulations, performance benchmarking, and release validation cycles.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of hands-on experience in optical solution validation or network/system integration.
• Strong proficiency in Ciena 6500 platform including experience with ROADM, RLS, Waveserver, and transponder/muxponder configurations.
• Expertise in DWDM/OTN, optical spectrum analyzers, and working knowledge of signal impairments, optical power budgets, and amplification.
• Practical experience in validating 100G to 800G coherent transmission, and L0/L1 service configuration.
• Familiarity with industry standards such as ITU-T, IEEE, and Telcordia relevant to optical networks.
• Strong documentation and test reporting skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working in multi-vendor or multi-region environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with carrier-grade or Tier-1 telecom operators in validation or deployment roles.
• Familiarity with automation frameworks for test execution and reporting (Python, Ansible, etc.).
• Knowledge of network management systems (NMS) and software-defined networking (SDN) for optical networks.

What you didn’t know about us:

• Competitive salary
• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Short/Long Term Disability and Critical
• Care/Illness Protection
• Life Insurance and Retirement Plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• With this position, you will get the opportunity to work with our game changing clients and further advance your already valuable experience in the telecom industry!
• We are Connectors. We thrive on ‘quality over quantity’ and put in the work building strong relationships. We create connections, discover qualities, uncover skills, and place people with accuracy. We are your true partner!
• We are Collaborators. You’ll be working with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kelly and part of the Kelly Telecom division. It allows us to be as nimble and fiercely competitive as a startup while having the backing of a multibillion dollar publicly traded company which has been in business for 75 years. With direct access to hiring managers, services don’t stop at standard recruiting processes. We use our expertise to improve your application skills and provide ongoing career support.
• We give 24/7 Support. We are in this together. We
• provide around the clock availability, competitive employee
• benefits, and continuously check-in to make sure things are going smoothly.
• Check out our Glassdoor page!