Embedded Software Engineer – Co-op Winter 2027

Location: Ottawa

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.

The Opportunity: Work term of 4 months starting in January 2027

The team designs, implements, and maintains real-time embedded platform and application software for several of Ciena’s flagship products. The work spans embedded software components and system applications, from low-level drivers to high-level software state machines that interface with external applications.

How you will make an impact

Design, implement, and maintain Linux and VxWorks kernels and base software components.

Develop drivers for proprietary and 3rd party ASICs, FPGAs, and other hardware components.

Build hardware/software interfaces that bridge various abstraction layers.

Develop fault and alarm subsystems to detect, report, and maintain defects and manage their hysteresis and co-relations.

Develop system applications such as traffic/equipment protection and performance monitoring.

Develop SDKs that abstract the underlying low-level software and hardware to facilitate platform application development and integration.

The must haves

Education: Actively enrolled in a bachelor’s or master's degree in computer or electrical engineering, computer science, or similar disciplines,

Experience with C or C++

Nice to haves

Developing software for embedded systems or telecom products

Understanding of CPU hardware architectures, hardware functional specifications, hardware timing diagrams, device data sheets

Understanding of real-time operating systems and embedded systems

Software development tools such as git, BitBucket, Gerrit, Jira, etc.

Unit test frameworks such as Google Test, JUnit, Robot, PyTest, and the like

Debuggers and tools (e.g., gdb), especially for troubleshooting embedded systems in user space and kernel space

High-level programming and scripting languages such as Java, Python, Perl, Tcl, bash; YANG modeling language and toolchains; software development methodologies such as Agile or Waterfall; familiarity with datacom and telecom concepts such as DWDM, SONET/SDH, OTN, Ethernet, OSI Model, TCP/IP, MPLS

Pay Range

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $34.00 per hour.

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.

In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers students access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation pay as required by applicable laws.

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.