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. How You Will Contribute Since 1992, Ciena has been driven by a relentless pursuit of network innovation. We believe in building networks that grow smarter, more agile, and more responsive every day. This means that when you digitally interact—whether picking up the phone, streaming a video, or messaging someone—your experience is powered by Ciena technologies. We make your social, entertainment, and business existence real. As a Software QA Engineer within our UK-based engineering team, you’ll play a key role in the testing and quality assurance of the Service Aware Operating System (SAOS) —an essential platform supporting our customers’ networks globally. You will: Participate in requirement reviews and contribute to feature specifications for cutting-edge networking solutions. Define and execute test plans to ensure the functionality and quality of new features across Ciena's Packet Products portfolio —a broad family of products for access and aggregation tiers of the network. Automate QA testing using Python, contributing to continuous integration and automated lifecycle regression of SAOS product code. Identify and track defects, collaborate with developers to resolve issues, and recreate customer-reported problems for deeper analysis. Maintain and enhance core automation frameworks used across teams. Work in close partnership with R&D, design, and testing teams to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality software. Benefit from a mentorship program and continuous learning opportunities as you progress within the team. The Must Haves We’re looking for individuals with the following foundational skills and qualifications: MCA, M.Tech., or B.Tech. in Computer Science, IT, Electronics, Cybersecurity, or related disciplines. Understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) processes. Familiarity with networking technologies, especially routers, switches, and protocols such as OSPF, IS-IS, and BGP, along with services like DNS and DHCP. Hands-on experience with Python scripting (object-oriented Python and/or pytest preferred). Proficiency in using Linux OS, ideally Debian-based distributions. Analytical mindset with the ability to diagnose software issues and propose effective solutions. UK-based with a valid permanent work permit to work in the country. Assets The following skills and experiences will give you an added advantage: Exposure to cloud networks, network virtualization, or contribution to open-source projects. Practical experience in network hardware setup, triage, or lab-based testing environments. Familiarity with the Atlassian toolset (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket). Prior experience in QA test automation frameworks and scripting tools. Awareness of or hands-on work with AI/ML technologies, particularly within the QA lifecycle. Strong problem-solving capabilities and the ability to work independently or as part of an agile team. Tenacity, curiosity, and a proactive approach to learning and issue investigation. LI-MA1 Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community to get relevant job alerts straight to your inbox. 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.