Director, Component Engineering
About The Position
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. Ciena’s Procurement Organization is seeking a strategic and forward‑thinking Director of Component Engineering to lead innovation and operational excellence across the component engineering function. This highly influential role strengthens Ciena’s technology roadmap, deepens supplier partnerships, and ensures the reliability and performance of components that power Ciena’s global solutions.
Requirements
- Degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics (+) with 15+ years of relevant experience; Master’s Degree preferred.
- 10+ years of experience leading high-performing engineering teams.
- Deep technical understanding of telecom component technologies, fabrication processes, and the global supplier landscape.
- Expertise in telecom standards such as Telcordia, IPC, and JEDEC, along with regulatory and environmental compliance.
- Proven experience in component reliability, failure mechanisms, and quality assurance.
- Strong leadership capability to influence, collaborate, and align stakeholders across technical and business functions.
- Exceptional communication skills to clearly articulate technical matters to varied audiences.
Nice To Haves
- Experience driving digital transformation or automation initiatives within supply chain or engineering domains.
- Familiarity with Agile product lifecycle management systems.
- Exposure to customer-facing activities such as RFIs, RFPs, or compliance inquiries.
- Background in supplier qualification, factory audits, or global manufacturing operations.
- Knowledge of REACH, RoHS, TSCA, asbestos regulations, or other global environmental compliance frameworks.
- Experience developing KPIs or quality scorecards for senior leadership.
- Ability to excel in complex, fast-paced, global environments with multiple stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Lead a global team of component engineers while driving strategic planning, operational excellence, and budget management.
- Co-develop commodity strategies with Global Commodity Managers, aligning deep technical insights with Ciena’s business priorities.
- Advise Research & Development teams on component technologies, selection approaches, and readiness throughout New Product Introduction and Lifecycle Management programs.
- Build strong partnerships with manufacturers to influence technology roadmaps, reliability standards, compliance expectations, quality processes, and capacity planning.
- Oversee manufacturer and component onboarding, including audits, reliability qualifications, and compliance assessments.
- Mitigate supply risks through multi-sourcing strategies, alternate sourcing, and proactive management of obsolescence and geopolitical risks.
- Drive continuous improvement and digital transformation initiatives to elevate component engineering efficiency and supply chain effectiveness.
Benefits
- medical
- dental
- 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
- vacation time
- Paid Family Leave
- other leaves of absence
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
