Principal Systems Architect – Layer0 NE Software

Nokia

. Own the requirements and architecture of assigned Layer0 NE software feature areas and be accountable for their technical success from concept through release .

Posted 11/6/2026full-timeOttawa • CanadaLead💰 CA$112,000 - CA$170,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in DWDM line system fundamentals and optical networking technologies, with a strong ability to define and manage system requirements and architecture specifications. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams and mentoring engineers while effectively communicating technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Highest-signal resume keywords

DWDM Line System FundamentalsOptical Networking TechnologiesControl Algorithms DesignRequirements SpecificationCross-Functional Team Leadership

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Fault ManagementPerformance ManagementConfiguration ManagementService ProvisioningControl Plane RequirementsLink-Level Control AlgorithmsOptical Performance MonitoringData Models for Optical NetworksYANGOpenROADM

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsMotivated CollaboratorIndependent Judgment

Tools & Technologies

SDN/GMPLS Control PlaneSONiC Optical Transport NetworkOptical Transport Abstraction Interface

Certifications & Qualifications

Ph.D. in Electrical EngineeringM.Sc. in Electrical Engineering

Industry Keywords

Multi-Layer Networking ProductsROADMsOptical AmplifiersOptical Networking StandardsEnd-to-End Systems

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the requirements and architecture of assigned Layer0 NE software feature areas and be accountable for their technical success from concept through release
Shape product features and requirements with Product Line Management and recommend solutions to new feature requests based on feasibility, cost and risk
Own system requirements, architecture specifications and acceptance criteria, guiding development teams through implementation and validation
Drive software architecture with fellow architects and development leads, including interfaces, data models and control algorithms
Partner with the product documentation team to describe features and operational concepts for customers
Lead cross-functional feature teams to build consensus on architecture and technical concepts and influence plans and priorities
Represent feature areas in technical engagements with key customers
Assess field issues in feature areas when called upon by customer support teams
Mentor engineers and architects on the team
Architect Layer0 network element software for novel DWDM optical line systems in collaboration with Systems Architecture, Systems Engineering and Software Development teams
Make and document trade-offs among cost, function, capacity and performance for network elements such as ROADMs and optical amplifiers

Requirements

What you’ll need

Deep understanding of DWDM line system fundamentals, including amplifiers, ROADMs, power control and OSNR
Extensive experience defining fault, performance and configuration management, service provisioning and control plane requirements for multi-layer networking products, especially at L0 and L1
Experience with optical networking technologies and standards, including ROADM/WSS, OTN, Ethernet and SDN/GMPLS control plane
Experience designing and validating link-level control algorithms and optical performance monitoring to optimize end-to-end transmission
Working knowledge of data models for operating and monitoring optical networks, including YANG, ONF TAPI, OpenROADM and OpenConfig
Familiarity with the SONiC Optical Transport Network Working Group, including the Optical Transport Abstraction Interface (OTAI)
Familiarity with AI tools, such as large language models (LLMs) and agents, and their use in product specification and development
Broad systems expertise, with a track record of writing and leading high-quality requirements and architecture specifications for robust, reliable end-to-end systems
Sound, independent judgment on ambiguous and novel technical problems
Excellent communication and presentation skills for internal and customer audiences
Highly motivated collaborator, effective in cross-functional, cross-cultural and international teams
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications or a related field plus minimum 5 years of relevant work experience, or M.Sc. in the same fields plus minimum 8 years of relevant work experience

Benefits

Comp & perks

Potential benefits