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Optical Communication Hardware Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nokia

Staff Optical Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$151K - $195K/yr

As a Staff Optical Design Verification Test (ODVT) Engineer, you will lead the comprehensive ... Hands-on experience with system-level optical communication hardware and components. * Proficiency ...

II-VI Incorporated

Lead Hardware Engineer

Horsham, PA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

Two to five years of relevant hardware engineering experience, ideally within optical communications, photonics, RF or another high-technology environment. * Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB ...

II-VI Aerospace & Defense

Lead Hardware Engineer

Horsham, PA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

Two to five years of relevant hardware engineering experience, ideally within optical communications, photonics, RF or another high-technology environment. * Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB ...

Coherent Corp.

Lead Hardware Engineer

Horsham, PA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

Two to five years of relevant hardware engineering experience, ideally within optical communications, photonics, RF or another high-technology environment. * Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB ...

Samtec, Inc

Hardware Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

Samtec is seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer with expertise in high-speed optoelectronic platforms ... Familiarity with optical communication standards, 1G NRZ to 100G PAM4 · Experience with a broad ...

Samtec, Inc Careers

Hardware Engineer

San Diego, CA

$190K - $225K/yr

Description Position at Samtec, Inc Samtec is seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer with expertise in ... Understanding of fundamental optical data communication systems principles and optical signal ...

Coherent

Lead Hardware Engineer

Horsham, PA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

Two to five years of relevant hardware engineering experience, ideally within optical communications, photonics, RF or another high-technology environment. * Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB ...

Samtec, Inc

Hardware Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$190K - $225K/yr

Samtec is seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer with expertise in high-speed optoelectronic platforms ... Familiarity with optical communication standards, 1G NRZ to 100G PAM4 · Experience with a broad ...

Samtec

Hardware Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$190K - $225K/yr

Samtec, Inc Samtec is seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer with expertise in high-speed ... Understanding of fundamental optical data communication systems principles and optical signal ...

samtec

Hardware Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$190K - $225K/yr

Description Position at Samtec, Inc Samtec is seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer with expertise in ... Familiarity with optical communication standards, 1G NRZ to 100G PAM4 • Experience with a broad ...

Samtec

Hardware Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$190K - $225K/yr

Descripcion Puesto en Samtec, Inc Samtec is seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer with expertise in ... Understanding of fundamental optical data communication systems principles and optical signal ...

Adtran

Principal Hardware Engineer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

Design and validate high-speed circuit boards supporting coherent optical communication systems ... Experience * 10+ years of hardware engineering experience in telecommunications, networking, or ...

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Optical Communication Hardware Engineer information

See salary details

$79.5K

$139.9K

$187.5K

How much do optical communication hardware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical communication hardware engineer in the United States is $139,917.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $158,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are popular job titles related to Optical Communication Hardware Engineer jobs?

For Optical Communication Hardware Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Optical Communication Hardware Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,917 per year, or $67.3 per hour.

Staff Optical Engineer

San Jose, CA • On-site

Nokia
Media and Telecom • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Nokiaexternal

$151K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago

Nokia rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 101 rated telecommunications companies

Job description

As a Staff Optical Design Verification Test (ODVT) Engineer, you will lead the comprehensive testing, validation, and performance characterization of the next generation of coherent linecards and pluggables. This position involves developing and executing detailed test plans, analyzing complex data, and ensuring that Nokia's optical products meet stringent performance specifications, quality standards, and industry compliance requirements. In this role, you will frequently face intricate technical problems, requiring advanced problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of state-of-the-art DSP, optical front-end technologies, and basic transmission impairments. You will play a critical role in the product development lifecycle, from early-stage integration and contributing to detailed line card architectures with peer engineering groups, to final product release, directly driving the delivery of high-performance and reliable optical networking solutions.

Advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we're advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world. 

Learn more about life at Nokia.


Our recruitment process

We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our 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.

If you're interested in this role but don't meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.

The length of the recruitment process may vary depending on the specific role's requirements. We strive to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for all candidates. Discover more about the recruitment process at Nokia. 

Some of our benefits in US:
  • Corporate Retirement Savings Plan
  • Health and dental benefits
  • Short-term disability, and long-term disability
  • Life insurance, and AD&D - Company paid 2x base pay
  • Optional or Supplemental life and AD&D insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child)
  • Paid time off for holidays and Vacation
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Tuition Assistance Plan
  • Adoption assistance
  • Employee Assistance Program/Work Life Resource Program

The above benefits exclude students.


Disclaimer for US/Canada

Nokia Maintains broad annual base salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience and market conditions, and with consideration to internal peer equity. Check the salary ranges in the job info section for this role.

All North America job posts will post for a minimum of 7 calendar days and up to 180 days or until candidate/s identified.

You have

  • MS or PhD degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related majors.
  • 3 years of experience in the area of coherent optical communication.
  • Deep technical competency in coherent optical communication technology, digital signal processing and high-speed optical signal generation and detection.
  • Proven understanding of coherent optical transmission systems and their linear and nonlinear impairments and tradeoffs (e.g., cross-talk, OSNR, chromatic dispersion, PMD, SPM, XPM, FWM).
  • Expertise in standard industry design validation processes and the product life cycle.
  • Hands-on experience with characterizing and troubleshooting high-speed coherent optical transceivers using various lab equipment such as optical spectrum analyzers (OSA), wave analyzers, and real-time oscilloscopes.
  • Proficiency in Python scripting for test automation, data acquisition, and analysis.

It would be nice if you also had

  • Hands-on experience with system-level optical communication hardware and components.
  • Proficiency in Git workflow and version control systems (e.g., Git, GitHub, Bitbucket)
  • Experience with database management systems such as SQL, NoSQL, or time series databases.
  • Translate system requirements into detailed line card architecture in collaboration with peer engineering groups.
  • Lead complex technical investigations, drive innovative solutions, and mentor junior engineers.
  • Verify and enhance optical performance, including testing aspects such as OSNR, signal quality, and environmental resilience. Compare test results against specifications to ensure all requirements are met as well as identify and implement improvements for modules and systems.
  • Develop and explore strategies to integrate the use of AI into the ODVT test environment
  • Drive test automation initiatives by developing and maintaining robust Python-based scripts to significantly enhance testing efficiency and coverage.
  • Collaborate with hardware, firmware, manufacturing and design teams to diagnose and resolve optical performance issues, ensuring timely solutions.

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