Software Engineering Co‑op September 2026 (8-12 months)

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.

Ciena is advancing intelligent networking solutions, and this co-op role contributes to improving internal simulation tools that enable engineers to design and operate complex systems more effectively. This opportunity offers hands-on experience solving real engineering challenges while enhancing usability and productivity across development teams. The role supports innovation in network simulation through practical software development and user-focused design.

How you will make an impact:

Develop internal tools and applications used by engineering teams

Design and build user-facing interfaces that simplify complex workflows

Create services and APIs that enable engineering tools and automation

Model and manage structured data used by simulation and testing systems

Translate user needs into practical software solutions

Build prototypes and iterate based on feedback

Contribute to software design, implementation, testing, and documentation

The must haves:

Education: Currently enrolled in a Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related undergraduate program

Experience: Demonstrated software development through coursework, personal projects, internships, research, or extracurricular activities

Application of programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, or C++

Application of object-oriented design principles and version control systems such as Git

Analytical problem-solving applied to software engineering tasks

Written and verbal communication in a technical environment

Collaboration and independent work within team-based engineering settings

Nice to haves:

Exposure to web application development

Exposure to frontend frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue

Experience working with APIs and structured data formats such as JSON

Experience building software beyond course assignments such as personal projects, hackathons, student design teams, open-source contributions, or internships

Familiarity with Linux-based development environments

Experience designing or implementing user-facing applications

Experience with data visualization, diagramming, or interactive interfaces

Pay Range:

The hourly pay range for this position is $25 to $32

Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers students access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation pay as required by applicable laws.

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.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.