Principal Solutions Architect

About Ciena

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.

Preference for Dallas area candidates but would consider other locations.

About the Principal Solutions Architect Role

As a customer facing Principal Solutions Architect at Ciena, you’ll provide industry leadership that will play a pivotal role in positioning and communicating cutting-edge solutions that address complex business challenges and drive value for our Tier 1 Service Provider client. You will lead and influence cross-functional teams both within the end customer and internally, including Sales, Product Management, R&D, and Professional Services, to create comprehensive business cases and technology solutions that drive sales outcomes. Must be able to articulate the value of complex technology solutions that lead to network adoption.

How You Will Contribute

• Strategic Solution Development: You will both create and analyze customer business cases, identify market opportunities, and design technology solutions that integrate Ciena products. Must understand Service Provider solution alternatives and provide compelling counterpoints to drive outcomes.
• Industry Expertise: You will provide expert consultation on network solutions from Layer 0 to Layer 3, ensuring alignment with industry practices and emerging trends.
• Technical Leadership: You will lead architectural engagements, guiding internal teams and customers through solution design options. You will frequently research, create and present PowerPoint content to sell your ideas both externally and internally.
• Customer Engagement: You will serve as a trusted advisor to customers, presenting solutions that address their business challenges and creating compelling proposals that emphasize technical and financial value. You will co-create win-win market differentiated solutions and present at Industry Conferences. New Business Development is a big focus of this role.
• Innovation and Collaboration: You will actively contribute to the development of new capabilities and technologies, influencing product roadmaps and driving innovation within Ciena's portfolio.

The Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, coupled with extensive experience in network architecture, systems engineering, or telecommunications consulting.
• Expertise in Layer 0 – Layer 3 technologies.
• Deep understand of the products and technologies within Ciena’s Optical and Packet portfolio.
• Demonstrated industry experience.
• Experience working with Service Providers and ideally Cloud customers.
• Ability to build strong relationships and construct both near term and long-term strategies.
• Ability to work both at the strategic and at the tactical implementation level.
• Expert level communication and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%

Assets

• Master's degree or MBA.
• Industry certifications.
• Presence on LinkedIn / social media platforms.
• Known within the Industry with Industry Speaking engagement examples.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual total target compensation pay range for this position is $196,700 - $314,300. This includes both base and incentive compensation. 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. 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.

Key skills/competency

• Solutions Architecture
• Network Design
• Tier 1 Service Provider
• Layer 0-3 Technologies
• Business Development
• Strategic Planning
• Technical Leadership
• Customer Engagement
• Optical and Packet Networking
• Cross-functional Collaboration