Thermal Design Engineer

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.
How You Will Contribute
We are seeking a motivated and talented Thermal Design Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will help design and develop next-generation optical switching and transport products, guiding thermal solutions from concept through production. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will be responsible for ensuring that complex electro-optical systems meet thermal performance, reliability, and operational requirements across a wide range of environmental conditions. Your work will combine thermal analysis, CFD simulation, and experimental validation to drive innovative and robust product designs.
As a key member of the design organization, you will:
Define and develop thermal architectures for new products and technologies
Perform thermal analysis and CFD simulations to evaluate and optimize product designs
Plan and execute laboratory testing to validate thermal performance and correlate results with simulation models
Identify thermal risks and develop mitigation strategies throughout the product development cycle
Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, optical, software, and manufacturing teams to deliver high-quality products
Support the introduction of new products into manufacturing and contribute to sustaining engineering activities for existing platforms
Required Qualifications
Master's or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering with specialization in Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics
5+ years of experience in thermal design and verification of electronic systems
Hands-on experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software
Strong background in engineering laboratory testing, data analysis, and experimental methods
Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
Assets
Experience using FloTHERM for thermal modeling and simulation
Experience with Creo CAD software
Knowledge of mechanical design, manufacturing processes, and product fabrication techniques
Salary Range: The annual salary range for this position is $88,700 - $141,700.
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.
Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
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.