GCN Automation & AI Engineer

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

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Ciena is seeking an Automation Engineer to advance automation and Agentic AI capabilities within the Global Customer Network (GCN) organization. This role delivers scalable automation solutions that improve operational efficiency, reduce deployment risk, accelerate service delivery, and enhance network lifecycle management. The position collaborates across Engineering, Operations, Project Management, Field Delivery, and IT teams to enable intelligent, data-driven decision making.

How you will make an impact:

• Develop automation tools, workflows, and reusable software components for engineering, deployment, testing, commissioning, and operational activities.
• Design, develop, and maintain automation solutions using Python, PowerShell, REST APIs, JSON, YAML, and related technologies.
• Build and deploy Agentic AI solutions for engineering workflows, document generation, data validation, troubleshooting, reporting, and operational decision support.
• Create automated testing and validation frameworks that improve solution quality, reliability, scalability, and maintainability.
• Manage automation code repositories in GitHub, including source control, code reviews, branching strategies, version management, and release processes.
• Collaborate with IT, Security, Architecture, Engineering, Operations, and Field teams to align automation solutions with enterprise governance and cybersecurity requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues involving automation tools, AI agents, scripts, integrations, and production deployments.

The must haves:

• Education: Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Telecommunications, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience developing automation solutions, software applications, or operational tools.
• Application of software engineering principles, object-oriented design, data structures, and design patterns.
• Utilization of Python and/or PowerShell scripting.
• Experience working with REST APIs, JSON, YAML, XML, Git, and CI/CD methodologies.
• Experience using GitHub for source control, collaboration, code reviews, issue tracking, release management, and CI/CD integration.
• Knowledge of Agile development methodologies, secure coding practices, testing frameworks, DevOps processes, and software development best practices.

Nice to haves:

• Knowledge of telecommunications, optical networking, routing, and switching technologies.
• Experience with Ciena platforms such as 6500, Waveserver, RLS, Navigator, MCP, Blue Planet, or related technologies.
• Experience with AI frameworks and tools such as Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, LangChain, Semantic Kernel, AutoGen, CrewAI, or similar technologies.
• Experience with SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Elasticsearch, or other database technologies.
• Experience with Azure, AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, and containerized environments.
• Experience integrating automation solutions with ServiceNow, Jira, Power BI, Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, or enterprise workflow platforms.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Ansible or Terraform.

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.