Staff / Principal Optical Engineer

CA Pay Range (Annual):

$161,000.00 - $299,000.00

Non-CA Pay Range (Annual):

$144,900.00 - $269,100.00

At Nokia, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. Your actual base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. This role may be eligible for equity grants, discretionary bonuses, or commission payments. The amount of these incentives is based on the terms of the Company’s incentive plans, the Company’s financial performance, and/or individual employee job performance.

Nokia also offers paid leave, medical, 

dental, and vision coverage, 401(k),

life, and disability insurance to

eligible employees.

Position Title: Principal Optical Engineer

Location: San Jose, CA

Company: Nokia

Position Overview: We seek a highly skilled and experienced Principal Optical Engineer to join our dynamic optical team. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in running Optical Device Verification Tests (ODVT) and performing optical integration work for Nokia's next generation of high-speed linecards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and execute ODVT tests to ensure the performance and reliability of the linecard.
• Analyze test data and provide detailed reports on findings and recommendations.
• Perform optical integration work, including developing and testing different optimization steps from the first prototypes/EVB level to integration into the linecard and the manufacturing process.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, debug, and optimize optical performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve optical system issues to maintain high performance standards.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in the fiber optical community and integrate new technologies into our projects.
• Serve as a technical leader, mentor, and role model for other optical engineers in the department.

Qualifications:

• Master's or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in optical engineering, with a focus on high-speed optical systems/transceivers.
• Proven expertise in running ODVT tests and optical integration.
• Strong knowledge of optical components, systems, and technologies.
• In-depth understanding of coherent transceivers and their DSP blocks at Tx & Rx, such as pre-emphasis, equalization, carrier phase recovery, and QAM modulation.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Experience in Python coding and object-oriented programming.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with system-level optical communication hardware and components.
• Proficiency in optical simulation and modeling software.
• Familiarity with industry standards.
• Hands-on experience with characterizing and troubleshooting high-speed coherent optical transceivers using various lab equipment such as OSA, wave analyzers, real-time scopes, etc.
• Familiarity with Git workflow and version control systems such as Git, GitHub, Bitbucket, etc.
• Experience with database management systems such as SQL, NoSQL, or time series databases.

 #LI-SR2

“This position requires direct or indirect access to certain confidential information, hardware, software, technology, or technical information (referred to here as “Export-Controlled Information”) controlled under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All personnel in this position must be eligible to or be able to obtain authorization from the appropriate agency to access applicable Export-Controlled Information. The U.S. Department of Commerce currently requires a foreign person with a most recent citizenship or permanent residency of Sudan, Ukraine, or a country currently designated in Country Group