Principal Optical Hardware Design Engineer

About Infinera:

Infinera is the global supplier of innovative networking solutions. Our customers include the leading service providers, data center operators, internet content providers (ICPs), cable operators, enterprises, and government agencies worldwide, including 9 of the top 10 Tier 1 service providers and 6 of the top 7 ICPs. We design, develop, and deliver hardware and software for fiber-based connectivity solutions that span access, aggregation, metro, long haul, and submarine network. Our industry-leading, trendsetting edge-to-core solutions provide the foundation for many of the world’s largest and most demanding networks that generate billions in service revenue for our customers.

Brief Description

Infinera is seeking an experienced Optical Engineer to join their Hardware design group in Bengaluru, India. This role involves hands-on work with system-level optical communication hardware and components. As an Optical Engineer at Infinera, you will play a key role in Designing and characterizing high-complexity DWDM equipment for Metro, Long-Haul (LH), Ultra-Long-Haul (ULH) applications, and Coherent Transceivers.

Description

Imagine being part of a team that is fundamentally changing the way people communicate, the way they collaborate, the way they watch TV and explore the universe through the internet. Utilizing our uniquely differentiated technology, we have created an Intelligent Transport Network with more speed, capacity and scalability than ever before. Imagine a world with unlimited bandwidth. The network of tomorrow will allow for content and creativity limited only by the imaginations of its users.

If this is something that interests you, that excites you, come take a look at a team not bound by large company obstacles and bureaucracy, where an idea today can be set in motion tomorrow. Come take a look at Infinera!

The Optical Team collaborates extensively with various departments within the company, so the candidate should expect regular interactions with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

Infinera’s next generation communications platform will rely on your optical design for its definition, development, characterization, and optimization. Your research and design efforts will be crucial in shaping the product, facilitating its definition, development, characterization, and optimization. Additionally, you should be able to explain and communicate complex optical technologies to customers effectively

• Serve as Subject Matter Expert: Conduct research and develop both vendor and internal technical specifications to determine the appropriate products architecture and functionality. Extensive experience in designing high-performance optical components is essential, with a strong preference for experience in developing devices, such as lasers, SOAs, high-speed modulators, and detectors, is highly desired. This role involves taking ownership of optical design, optimization methods, and stabilization techniques. A crucial aspect is the ability to balance optical, electrical, and digital capabilities to enhance overall system performance. You will frequently interact with control and firmware teams to optimize performance-critical aspects like power-up self-calibration, receive acquisition, real-time performance monitoring, and in-service performance optimization.

• Problem Solving and Analysis: Demonstrate proven experience in effectively solving problems and analyzing complex optical systems. Conduct Root Cause Analysis for defects identified by customers and improve design to address these scenarios.
• Deliver High-Quality Output: As a key member of the Optical team, ensure the accuracy and consistency of data results through meticulous documentation processes.
• Manage Multiple Test Projects: Oversee multiple Optical projects concurrently and provide scheduling support to project leads.
• Drive Comprehensive Experiments: Drive the optical characterization and performance of DWDM equipment and coherent pluggable transceivers. This includes analyzing the transmission characteristics of fiber and line system elements, such as signal power/OSNR evolution and fiber nonlinearities, to ensure they meet the required specifications and performance standards.
• Create Design Specification and Define Test Plans: Develop design specification and test plans, implement and deploy optical performance test methods, fixtures, and instrumentation as specified by the test plans or standards, and verify their suitability.
• Hands-On Experience with Test Equipment: Utilize optical and electrical test and measurement equipment, both automated and manual, including programmable optical power meters, attenuators, switches, optical spectrum analyzers, digital multimeters, and oscilloscopes.

Requirements

Expertise in all areas simultaneously is not required.

• PhD in an Engineering Discipline: Preferably in electrical engineering with a focus on fiber optical communication and high-speed optical components. Candidates with an M.S. in these fields will also be considered if they have at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Extensive Knowledge of Fiber Optic Transmission Systems: Including transceivers, modulators, optical amplifiers, optical switches, optical filters, and ROADMs. Familiarity with fiber transmission penalties, including the theory of linear and non-linear behavior of photons in materials.
• Foundational Knowledge of Modulation Techniques: High-speed electro-optical phase and amplitude modulation techniques, as well as high-speed digital signal filtering.
• Hands-On Testing Experience: With fiber optic systems and components, including lasers, SOAs, coherent transponders, EDFAs, Raman amplifiers, DWDM transmission systems, and ROADMs.
• Experience with Test Equipment: Such as optical spectrum analyzers, power meters, VOAs, and optical switches.
• Developing Test Strategies and Plans: Based on system requirements, and participating in requirement reviews, design reviews, and test plan reviews.
• Programming Experience: In developing automation applications using Python or similar languages and tools. Proven familiarity with data acquisition systems, as well as data analysis and processing.
• Commitment to Work Quality: Driving innovative and efficient test methodologies.
• Self-Motivated and Independent: Capable of working independently and highly motivated.
• Strong Analytical and Troubleshooting Skills: Essential for the role.

“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 D:1, E:1 or E:2 (Supplement No. 1 to Part 740, Title 15) to have an export control license to access our Export-Controlled Information, unless they meet certain exemptions provided under U.S. export control laws and regulations. The list of applicable countries in Country Group D:1, E:1 or E:2may be updated by the U.S. government from time to time. The current processing time for an export control license is approximately 4 to 6 months.

Your employment or engagement with Infinera shall be contingent on verifying your eligibility or requirement for obtaining a necessary license and/or authorization from the appropriate agency. You will be required to provide certain information for export control compliance assessment purposes, and your information will be reviewed by Infinera's hiring and export control teams to ensure compliance with the U.S. export control laws and regulations. Infinera will collect necessary documents (such as proof of citizenship etc.) to assess license/authorization requirements if you are offered and accept the position.”

Infinera is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Infinera complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.