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Optical Networking Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Network Infrastructure group is at the heart of a revolution to connectivity, pushing the ... As part of Nokia's Optical Architecture group, you will have a unique opportunity to lead the ...

Optical Systems Architect

San Jose, CA · On-site

$147K - $274K/yr

The Network Infrastructure group is at the heart of a revolution to connectivity, pushing the ... As part of Nokia's Optical Architecture group, you will have a unique opportunity to lead the ...

Optical Control Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$139K - $258K/yr

... networking systems. NION2026 Responsibilities Design, implement and validate controls for digital coherent optical modules. Summary Individual contributor engineering position responsible for design ...

Optical Control Engineer

San Jose, CA

$151K - $195K/yr

... optical networking systems. NION2026 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 ...

Optical Resident Engineer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$125K - $162K/yr

Resident Engineer role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities from network strategy, design ... optical power budgets and in-depth knowledge of different types of amplifiers. - 7+ years ...

Staff Optical Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$139K - $258K/yr

... optical networking solutions. Responsibilities * Translate system requirements into detailed line card architecture in collaboration with peer engineering groups. * Lead complex technical ...

Staff Optical Engineer

San Jose, CA

$151K - $195K/yr

... 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 ...

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 ...

Staff Optical Engineer

San Jose, CA

$151K - $195K/yr

... 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 ...

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Optical Networking information

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How much do optical networking jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical networking in the United States is $21.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $23.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying networking job?

In the field of optical networking, senior roles such as Optical Network Architects or Network Engineering Managers tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures. These positions typically require advanced technical skills, certifications, and extensive experience in designing and managing complex optical networks.

Are optical engineers in high demand?

Optical engineers are in high demand due to the growth of optical communication networks, data centers, and fiber optic infrastructure. Skills in photonics, laser systems, and network design increase employability, and certifications in optical technologies can enhance job prospects.

What is the difference between Optical Networking vs Network Technician?

AspectOptical NetworkingNetwork Technician
CertificationsFiber Optic certifications, Cisco CCNACompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA
Work EnvironmentFieldwork installing and maintaining fiber optic systemsOffice and on-site troubleshooting of network hardware
Industry UsageTelecommunications, internet service providersIT departments, service providers
Job FocusDesign, install, and maintain optical fiber networksConfigure, troubleshoot, and repair network hardware and software

Optical Networking specialists focus on fiber optic systems, while Network Technicians handle broader network hardware and software. Both roles require certifications like Cisco CCNA, but Optical Networking emphasizes fiber optics expertise. The roles often overlap in telecommunications and IT industries, but their specific tasks and environments differ.

What is optical networking?

Optical networking is a communication method that uses light signals transmitted through optical fibers to transfer data over long distances at high speeds. It is the backbone of modern telecommunications, enabling high-capacity internet, telephone, and video services. Optical networks use devices like lasers, fiber-optic cables, and photodetectors to convert electrical signals into light and back, allowing for extremely fast and reliable data transmission. This technology is essential for supporting the growing demand for bandwidth in today's digital world.

What engineering jobs pay $500,000?

In the field of optical networking, senior engineering roles such as optical systems engineers, network architects, or engineering managers can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities. These positions often require expertise in fiber optics, network design, and industry-standard tools, and may include bonuses and stock options that contribute to total compensation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Optical Networking Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optical Networking Engineer, you need a solid understanding of optical communication principles, fiber optic technologies, and network protocols, typically backed by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with technical tools such as optical spectrum analyzers, OTDRs, and certifications like Cisco CCNP or ONF-Certified SDN Associate is highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication help professionals excel in design, troubleshooting, and collaboration. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure reliable high-speed data transmission and efficient network infrastructure in telecommunications environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in optical networking roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in optical networking often encounter challenges such as maintaining network reliability, troubleshooting signal degradation, and integrating new technologies with legacy systems. These issues require a proactive approach to monitoring network performance, continuous learning to stay current with evolving technologies, and strong collaboration with cross-functional teams such as network architects and field engineers. Addressing these challenges typically involves leveraging advanced diagnostic tools, participating in ongoing training, and adhering to industry best practices for installation and maintenance.

Is AI going to replace network engineers?

AI is unlikely to fully replace network engineers in optical networking, as the role requires complex problem-solving, hands-on troubleshooting, and understanding of physical infrastructure. Instead, AI tools are expected to augment their work by automating routine tasks and analyzing large data sets, allowing engineers to focus on design, optimization, and strategic planning. Continuous learning and certification in networking technologies remain important for job security in this evolving field.
More about Optical Networking jobs
What states have the most Optical Networking jobs? States with the most job openings for Optical Networking jobs include:
Infographic showing various Optical Networking job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,592 per year, or $21.4 per hour.
Optical Network Development Engineer, Core Networking

Optical Network Development Engineer, Core Networking

Amazon

Seattle, WA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 6,929 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

If you like to work with new technologies and optimizing existing technology have experience participating in network/systems support for a large-scale enterprise or service provider environment, we would like to meet you. Your work will play a key role in driving the stability and sustainability of next-generation IP networks.
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we're the people who keep the cloud running

We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain - and we're looking for talented people who want to help.
You'll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles.

You'll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you'll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
The Core Networking team is looking for an Optical Network Development Engineer to join our Inter-DC & Optical team. As an Optical Network Development Engineer, you will be responsible for building, deploying and scaling the Amazon networks that support AWS, customers, and other business units, across multiple global datacenters.
AWS Core Networking is focused on building Data Centers and the network that allows Data Centers to function efficiently

They own the solutions that allow racks to be aggregated and Data Centers to be interconnected. Core Networking's goal is to balance efficiency, performance and reliability to allow customers access to their applications and data.
Key job responsibilities
Optical Network Development Engineers perform high quality network and/or systems operations, deployments, scaling, technology refresh, sustaining engineering, best practices application, optimization, internal/external customer interactions, and produce appropriate technical documentation.
Create and implement changes on the network.
Work closely with our automation teams in defining the tools that allow us to scale at higher volume.
Lead network projects in the areas of network sustaining engineering, network deployment/implementation, network scaling, technology refresh, best practices application, and/or network optimization.
Sustain Amazon Web Services' next generation networks for significant AWS customers by providing critical network support to diagnose, mitigate impact, and resolve large-scale networking events.
Operate and troubleshoot network routing, interconnectivity, platforms, performance, and configurations issues; including necessary low-level application interaction, Unix systems, and new age networking software tools.
Drive and support innovation from Top of Rack to the Network Border and everything in between.
Partner with our broader Network/Infrastructure organization in the areas of network engineering, configurations standards, and tools.
Work closely with our Network/Systems/Software Engineering teams to ensure fast, smooth roll-out of new designs and products, as well as assist with deployment and sustaining of networking software tools.
Maintain standards across the networking toolset and ensure that we are fully compliant to those standards and policies.
Deliver simple, sustainable and repeatable solutions and processes.
Collaborate with highest tier escalation engineers/resolvers.
Create and review documentation and process regarding network implementation/deployments, recurring issues, new standard operating procedures, knowledge transfer material, etc.
A day in the life
Engineers in the Core Networking team have a wide range of responsibilities

In terms of product development and delivery, it covers all activities related to hardware and software development, cross-platforms and software integration, and transition to production for both inhouse commodity and OEM optical platforms. From the lifecycle support perspective, includes day to day operations on-call, sustaining engineering, operational load automation and reduction, product and network security, network data integrity and authoritativeness, availability assurance (SRLG monitoring) and improvement (OLP, RFTS) and fiber infrastructure and vendor performance management. Our engineers not only make decisions on day-to-day work but they also own the long-term strategic view, they build strong partnership with customers to understand their immediate and future needs, their use cases and the things that we/they are not even thinking about so we make sure our solutions will fit into their needs.

They bring perspective and context to influence the way we make technology and design choices, how we develop and deliver products that are right sized, fungible and future proof at the optimum cost per bit. They understand the business impact of their recommendations and show good judgment in decision making as we consider technical trade-offs between the immediate short-term technology solutions, operational needs and the long-term business needs.
About the team
AWS Core Networking is focused on building Data Centers and the network that allows Data Centers to function efficiently. We own the solutions that allow racks to be aggregated and Data Centers to be interconnected

Core Networking's goal is to balance efficiency, performance and reliability to allow customers access to their applications and data.
Our current network size is >10Pbps of inter data center traffic over >30k devices worldwide and our team is structured to create and evolve these products and solutions while providing highly available, secure and scalable transport for multiple customer fabrics globally.
The team is responsible for the development, delivery and lifecycle support of the optical products used to interconnect AWS Data Centers and PoPs (Point of presence), ensuring diversity of supply and continually lowering data transfer cost for customers. This product portfolio serves a broad customer base and is primarily used to transport Core (EC2 & Prod) and Border (Internet) traffic in and across all but a few AWS commercial and ADC regions globally. Our current network size is >10Pbps of inter data center traffic over >30k devices worldwide and our team is structured to create and evolve these products and solutions while providing highly available, secure and scalable transport for multiple customer fabrics globally.
Meet Matt, VP, Core Networking --- https://youtu.be/DqTStjRtjX4
Meet Kensie, Network Development Engineer --- https://youtu.be/ezF3kpUAhWU\


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About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate and computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US