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New Grad Engineer Jobs in Gainesville, GA (NOW HIRING)

Are you an industrious, energetic, growth-oriented experienced professional or recent grad, who has ... Create strategic roadmaps to onboard new clients and establish benchmarks for their success with ...

Business Development Associate

Alpharetta, GA ยท On-site

$43K - $59K/yr

Create strategic roadmaps to onboard new clients and establish benchmarks for their success with ... and engineering) * Lean, six sigma, continuous improvement training or certification Ideal ...

New Grad Engineer information

See Gainesville, GA salary details

$10.3K

$67.7K

$117K

How much do new grad engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for new grad engineer in Gainesville, GA is $67,688.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,000.00 and $77,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a new grad engineer?

A New Grad Engineer is an individual who has recently graduated from a university or college with an engineering degree and is starting their professional career. These engineers are typically in entry-level positions, where they apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies to real-world engineering problems. New Grad Engineers often participate in training programs, work under the guidance of more experienced engineers, and gradually take on more responsibility as they gain experience. Their roles can vary widely depending on the industry and the specific company they join.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a new grad engineer?

To thrive as a New Grad Engineer, you generally need a solid foundation in engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with industry-standard software, such as CAD tools or programming languages, and internships or relevant project experience are highly valued. Strong communication, teamwork, and a willingness to learn help new engineers adapt quickly and collaborate effectively. These skills enable new engineers to contribute meaningfully to projects, integrate into teams, and grow within fast-paced technical environments.

What types of projects are new grad engineers typically assigned during their first year?

As a new grad engineer, you can expect to start with smaller, well-defined tasks that allow you to become familiar with the company's tools, processes, and codebase (if applicable). These projects are often part of a larger team effort and are designed to help you build confidence while contributing meaningfully. Over time, you'll likely be given more complex assignments and may have the opportunity to take ownership of specific features or problem areas. Regular collaboration with senior engineers and cross-functional teams is common, providing valuable learning and mentorship opportunities as you develop your skills.

What is the difference between New Grad Engineer vs Entry Level Engineer?

AspectNew Grad EngineerEntry Level Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related fieldBachelor's degree in engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentInternship or first full-time role, often in training programsFull-time position, performing basic engineering tasks
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used for recent graduates entering engineering rolesUsed for professionals with minimal work experience in engineering

Both roles typically require a bachelor's degree in engineering. A New Grad Engineer often refers to someone just starting their career, possibly in a structured training program, while an Entry Level Engineer is a full-time employee performing foundational engineering tasks. The terms are frequently used interchangeably, but 'New Grad Engineer' emphasizes recent graduation, whereas 'Entry Level Engineer' highlights minimal experience.

Are new graduate engineers struggling to find jobs?

New graduate engineers often face competitive job markets, but opportunities are available for those with strong technical skills, relevant internships, and certifications. Success depends on networking, interview preparation, and staying updated with industry tools and trends.

How to get a job as a new graduate engineer?

To secure a job as a new graduate engineer, candidates should focus on building a strong technical foundation through relevant coursework and internships, develop proficiency in engineering tools and software, and prepare a professional resume highlighting project experience. Networking with industry professionals and applying to entry-level positions through company career portals or job boards are also essential steps.

What jobs do new graduate engineers go into?

New graduate engineers typically start in entry-level roles such as design engineer, manufacturing engineer, quality engineer, or systems engineer. These positions often require knowledge of engineering principles, technical skills, and sometimes certifications or internships to qualify for the roles.

What cities near Gainesville, GA are hiring for New Grad Engineer jobs?

Cities near Gainesville, GA with the most New Grad Engineer job openings:

WaveLogic Software Developer - New Grad

Ciena Corporation

Alpharetta, GA โ€ข On-site

$68K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

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:
As a modem control software developer, you will push the boundaries of what is possible in optical network solutions. You will work alongside experienced professionals to ensure the reliability and performance of projects that play critical roles in our network solutions and help build upon our innovative technology. You will also challenge yourself and others by bringing enthusiasm and fresh ideas to new challenges and leading by example.
In this role, you will..
  • Develop understanding and expertise in next-gen network solutions using optical transport and switching technologies like OTN, Ethernet etc.
  • Develop embedded software skills to design, develop, validate and document advanced networking features and capabilities which are deployed in service provider networks.
  • Trouble shoot and fix reported issues with embedded software, Identify root cause, diagnose, debug and deliver robust timely fixes.
  • Collaborate with multi-functional teams to design, develop and test the next-gen modem technologies.

The Must Haves:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering
  • C, C++ programming language experience
  • Good knowledge of embedded systems, device drivers, Linux Operating System knowledge, mutual exclusion, synchronization, interrupt handling, inter-process communication, etc.;
  • Positive work attitude, highly motivated and an ability to seek out answers with a willingness to learn and work independently.
  • Strong verbal and technical writing skills;
  • Collaborates well in a team environment

The Assets:
  • Familiarity with datacom & telecom concepts such as DWDM, OTN, Ethernet, TCP/IP
  • Low-level Real-Time Software/Firmware Development
  • Ability to understand CPU Hardware architectures, Hardware Functional Specifications and Hardware Timing Diagrams
  • Linux, VxWorks
  • Linux as a software development environment
  • Exposure to CLI, TL1, SNMP, NETCONF, REST, gRPC.
  • Design and development tools such as: Git, Eclipse, JIRA, Confluence, GDB, Yocto
  • YANG modeling language and toolchains
  • Scripting experience, Python, Go, BASH
  • Automation and Test

Pay Range:
The annual pay range for this position is $68,900-110,100.
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.