Senior Software Engineer – Routing & Switching (Control Plane / Data Plane)

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 opportunity

At Ciena, we power the world’s most advanced networks. As part of our Routing & Switching team, you’ll help shape the future of connectivity—designing smarter, faster, and more resilient networks for global service providers.

You’ll begin by building expertise on Vyatta NOS (Debian Linux-based), a platform trusted worldwide for virtualized networking. This hands-on experience will set the stage for you to work on SAOS 10X, our next-gen platform engineered for scalability, performance, and the future of routing and switching.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Develop embedded software on Vyatta NOS and contribute to the evolution of SAOS 10X.
• Design, build, and optimize L2/L3 networking features and data forwarding paths across software and hardware. (Control Plane / Data Plane)
• Build robust, scalable solutions through unit testing and automation.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and support large-scale network deployments in real-world environments.
• Collaborate with Product Owners to enhance features and maximize product performance.
• Influence software architecture to improve resiliency, scalability, and maintainability.
  
  

Role Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in software development for networking products.
• Strong programming skills in C, C++, Python, and deep knowledge of Linux OS.
• Expertise in L2/L3 networking protocols such as OSPF, BGP, and routing architectures.
• Experience with data plane acceleration, virtualization technologies like Intel DPDK, SR-IOV, and merchant silicon platforms.
• Familiarity with YANG/XML, Git, Jira, and CI/CD tools like Jenkins.
• Proven problem-solving ability and a mindset for building scalable, production-ready software.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills to work effectively across global teams.
  
  

Why Ciena?

• Future-focused work: Be part of building the technologies that enable next-gen connectivity.
• Global impact, local presence: Drive solutions that serve worldwide customers, right from India.
• Continuous learning: Expand your skills with access to advanced technologies, training, and mentorship.
• Inclusive, people-first culture: Join a diverse and collaborative team that values innovation and well-being.
  
  

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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.