Ciena Government Solutions Sales 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.

The Ciena Government Solutions Team (CGSI) is looking for a highly motivated Pre-Sales IP/DWDM Sales Engineer.  This position will focus on US Government customer engagements relative to IP/DWDM networking as well as software automation and will be responsible for delivering Pre-Sales engineering activities.

The Ciena US Government team is building momentum in the Federal Civilian, National Security, and DoW marketplace with sophisticated ethernet solutions and multivendor management solutions.  This is a technical sales role with focus on helping customers understand Ciena technology through product presentations, proofs of concept and demonstrations.

Must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance.

How Will You Contribute:

• Perform network and applications engineering for multiple CIENA products
• Complete sophisticated network designs for customer application of networking products
• Proficient in use of Ciena network design and modeling tools
• Advise potential and current customers on application of products for next generation architectures
• Prepare quotations and assist in proposal preparation for Ciena products & upgrades
• Provide product and technical expertise to support Ciena Sales teams
• Prepare complex design and applications presentations
• Gain understanding of Salesforce and sales operations
• Up to 80% domestic and international travel required
• Performs other duties as assigned

The Must Haves:

• Work with customers every day on deployment, issues, etc – providing feedback into the larger Ciena team for resolution.
• Explain product functionality to customers to ensure they fully understand how Ciena products will benefit their missions
• Bring feedback to the Account/PLM/R&D community to help improve product functionality in future releases
• Provide updates on the execution and status of customer engagements
• Travel to customers within US Government vertical
• Ensure overall customer deployment plans and timelines are driven to success and any limiting issues are optimally driven through the Ciena team
• Act as the customer advocate internally to Ciena
• Occasionally provide help to Product Verification teams as a way to gain early familiarity with new product or functionality
• Occasionally provide post-sales support in both remote and on-site capacities

Collaboration with partners

Work with Sales group and PLM/Marketing to develop and/or propose product improvements to meet customer requirements 

• Although part of a larger group, the candidate must be able to work in a customer environment with limited on-site support assistance
• Sophisticated knowledge of fiber optic DWDM transmission and OTN switching systems
• Knowledge of multi-layer network architectures (IP, Ethernet, MPLS) and Core Routing/Switching technologies and protocols (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, IGRP, G.8032, MPLS-TP, 802.1ag, etc) is required
• In depth knowledge of Route Optimization and Assurance, Segment Routing, EVPN and other Adaptive IP network architectures is a plus
• Software design and development knowledge (Linux, C/C++, Java, Python, REST, JSON, OpenFlow, OpenDaylight, ONOS, OpenStack, OPNFV, SDN, VMWare, etc.) is a plus
• Familiarity with automation, analytics and AI usage in networking operations is a plus
• Demonstrate working technical knowledge of Ethernet, Storage Networking (Fibre Channel, FICON), Software Defined Networking, Network Functions Virtualization, IP/MPLS, Encryption, WAN Optimization, Firewall, Virtual Routing and Virtualization
• The successful candidate will need to enjoy working daily with customers and have a “Customer First” demeanor to their role
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Self-starter and self-manager with positive demeanor
• Team orientation, organized, and capable of independent work
• Multitasking: able to lead many projects simultaneously and appropriately resolve priorities
• Acumen for problem solving
• Ability to lead in an environment of change – flexibility, creativity and grit
• Ability to learn and grasp technical concepts related to products being developed 
• Able to work optimally and communicate at all levels within the Ciena workforce
• Technical Degree or BSEE preferred or meaningful work experience