Software Development– Kubernetes Platform Migration and Workflow Orchestration Intern

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:

A Software Development Intern role focused on contributing to a cloud-native engineering platform and infrastructure migration initiative. The position involves analyzing existing systems, evaluating modern Kubernetes-native solutions, and supporting the transition of workflow orchestration capabilities. This opportunity enables hands-on experience with platform engineering, DevOps practices, and containerized environments.

How you will make an impact:

Analyze engineering workflows implemented using Kubeflow

Document and map workflow requirements including orchestration, retry handling, lifecycle management, data transfer, and artifact storage

Evaluate Kubernetes-native workflow orchestration options such as Kubernetes Jobs, CronJobs, Argo Workflows, and Tekton

Develop proof-of-concept implementations to validate alternative architectures

Design and implement migration scripts, tools, and deployment configurations

Build and maintain deployment manifests, Helm charts, and infrastructure-as-code assets

Develop automated tests to validate reliability and functional equivalence of workflows

The must haves:

Education: Actively enrolled in a degree program in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline,

Strong programming experience in Python, Go, Java, C++, or similar languages

Understanding of Linux operating systems and command-line tools

Familiarity with Docker containers and containerized application development

Knowledge of software development practices and version control using Git

Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills

Ability to independently research and evaluate technical solutions

Nice to haves:

Experience with Kubernetes (K8s) and cloud-native technologies

Familiarity with workflow orchestration platforms such as Kubeflow, Argo Workflows, Tekton, or similar tools

Experience deploying and managing applications on Linux servers

Knowledge of Infrastructure-as-Code tools and CI/CD pipelines

Experience with object storage platforms such as MinIO or S3-compatible systems

Exposure to Helm, YAML-based deployments, and Kubernetes operators

Interest in DevOps, cloud infrastructure, or platform engineering

Pay Range:

Pay range for this position is $25.00 - $32.00 an hour.

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.