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Hardware Systems Architect - Pluggable Optical Coherent Transceivers

NOKIA
US Annual Base Salary Range*: $124,791 - $231,755 USD * Plus, potential incentive/variable compensation for eligible roles. Canada Annual Base Salary Range*: $93,009 - $172,731 CAD *Plus, potential incentive/variable compensation for eligible roles
United States, California, San Jose
6373 San Ignacio Avenue (Show on map)
May 06, 2025

In an increasingly connected world, the pandemic has highlighted just how essential telecom networks are to keeping society running. The Network Infrastructure group is at the heart of a revolution to connectivity, pushing the boundaries to deliver more and faster network capacity to people worldwide through our ambition, innovation, and technical expertise

Join Optical Networks division, where innovation meets scale in the AI-driven data center era. With the recent acquisition of Infinera, we've united two industry leaders to create an optical networking powerhouse-combining cutting-edge technology with proven leadership to redefine the future of connectivity.

Infinera is now part of the Nokia Corporation and its subsidiaries. When you apply, the information you share will be handled with care and used only for recruitment purposes within the group.

Nokia develops leading DWDM transmission systems. Key components of the optical transport system are coherent line interfaces consisting of Digital Signal Processors and optical electrical conversion for best-in-class cost, data rate, reach and power consumption - e.g. in transponder and muxponder units - providing mapping of client signals, signal supervision, traffic protection and similar functions with Tbit/s throughput. Another key component in the transformation and development of the way optical networks are built are optical coherent pluggable modules.

The Hardware system architect for XR pluggable modules develops and maintains the product architecture and detailed product features and requirements based on market requirements and industry feature requests for those coherent modules.

HW Architect coordinates and leads cross-functional concepts preparing for smooth transition in the development organization and coordinates feature teams and provides technical & directional support to R&D, product management and customer teams.

Primary responsibilities and key success factors are:

Develop innovative, competitive product architectures and concepts for optical coherent pluggable modules:



  • Alignment of requirements and concepts and integration of Digital Signal Processor ASICs, Optics, FW & SW into best-in-class coherent interfaces
  • Understanding of business requirements, use cases and operational concepts,
  • Trade-off between cost, function, capacity and performance,
  • Up-to-date, deep technical understanding of coherent interfaces and their application, including hand-on HW development experience, thorough understanding of coherent modulation formats, and optical components used in coherent receivers and transmitters,
  • A good technical understanding of optical network equipment and optical network design in general,
  • The ability to lead a cross-functional team of experts to a successful implementation of coherent pluggable modules.


The tasks include:

Work in international, cross-functional product teams (product management, optical transmission experts, ASIC developers, integrated photonics technologists and component experts, HW, FW & SW developers) to facilitate & build consensus on innovative solutions meeting the product and customer requirements and schedule and cost constraints; break down product functions and requirements into functions and building blocks for the coherent pluggable modules.

Technical thought leadership and innovation capability.




  • The candidate requires a MSc/PhD degree in communications, electrical engineering or a related field and a minimum of 5+ years working experience in HW development of of coherent optical interfaces.
  • In-depth knowledge of relevant telecommunication standard, optical coherent transmission technology, network protocols, trends and emerging technologies with focus on coherent systems.
  • Experience with different CPU platforms and bus protocols like I2C, MDIO, SPI, PCIe, AMBRA (AXI)
  • Experience in leading HW design and HW architecture of coherent pluggable modules or related telecommunications products.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary, multi-site and multi-national team environment.
  • Self-directed and highly motivated.


Come create the technology that helps the world act together

Nokia is committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. Your career here will have a positive impact on people's lives and will help us build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive world.
We challenge ourselves to create an inclusive way of working where we are open to new ideas, empowered to take risks and fearless to bring our authentic selves to work

What we offer

Nokia offers continuous learning opportunities, well-being programs to support you mentally and physically, opportunities to join and get supported by employee resource groups, mentoring programs and highly diverse teams with an inclusive culture where people thrive and are empowered.

Nokia is committed to inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer

Nokia has received the following recognitions for its commitment to inclusion & equality:



  • One of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere
  • Gender-Equality Index by Bloomberg
  • Workplace Pride Global Benchmark


At Nokia, we act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Nokia's employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.

Join us and be part of a company where you will feel included and empowered to succeed.
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