At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical engagement and provide strategic guidance in Autonomous Networking.
- Company: Ciena, a global leader in high-speed connectivity with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Flexible work environment, focus on well-being, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with international travel and excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in transforming communications service providers with AI and automation.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in product management or pre-sales, with expertise in AI and telecommunications.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritising 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.
Principal Solutions Architect, Autonomous Networking
Blue Planet, a division of Ciena, is redefining how communications service providers (CSPs) operate through intelligent automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This senior technical role supports the Blue Planet sales organization as an operations transformation expert, combining deep domain expertise with a strong customer-facing presence to help CSPs evolve toward Autonomous Networks.
How you will make an impact:
- Provide senior technical leadership and strategic guidance to the international sales organization
- Articulate product vision, roadmap, and value proposition to both business and technical stakeholders
- Apply expertise in Autonomous Networks and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address customer business and operational challenges
- Lead technical engagement across the sales lifecycle, including discovery, solution definition, and customer presentations
- Review and contribute to Requests for Information (RFI) and Requests for Proposal (RFP) responses in partnership with Technical Sales Leaders
- Define Proof of Concept (PoC) success criteria and support solution evaluations with sales and systems engineering teams
- Drive product and solution feedback into Product Management using established internal tools and processes, including Aha!
The must haves:
- 10+ years of experience in senior product management, pre-sales, or delivery roles within the Operations Support Systems (OSS) domain
- 3+ years of hands-on experience deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in telecommunications environments, including Autonomous Networking use cases
- 12+ years of experience with telecommunications networking technologies, including Wide Area Networks (WAN), Local Area Networks (LAN), Layers 0–3 switching and routing, virtual network functions, and 5G wireless
- Proven experience selling and/or delivering OSS solutions supporting planning, provisioning, and service assurance
- Strong ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions and present complex concepts clearly
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent professional experience
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally, sometimes on short notice
Nice to haves:
- Experience in OSS domains such as network inventory, service design, orchestration, activation, assurance, performance, or service quality management
- Deep familiarity with the broader OSS ecosystem and products from vendors such as Amdocs, Ericsson, Netcracker, Oracle, or Nokia
- Experience authoring solution requirement documents for OSS deployment projects
- Knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks and industry models such as TM Forum, Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO), and Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF)
- Fluency in one or more languages in addition to English
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 and are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
Principal Solutions Architect in London employer: Ciena Corporation
Ciena is an exceptional employer that champions a people-first culture, offering a flexible work environment that prioritises individual growth and well-being. As a Principal Solutions Architect, you will thrive in a collaborative atmosphere that values innovation and social impact, while benefiting from extensive opportunities for professional development and recognition within the dynamic field of telecommunications and AI.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Solutions Architect in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Knowing their values can help you tailor your answers and show you're a great fit.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you're serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Solutions Architect in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Solutions Architect role. Highlight your experience with Autonomous Networks and AI, as well as any relevant projects that showcase your technical leadership skills.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t hold back on detailing your technical skills! We want to see your hands-on experience with telecommunications technologies and how you've applied them in real-world scenarios. Be specific about your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain complex concepts, as this will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ciena Corporation
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Autonomous Networking and AI technologies. Be ready to discuss how these concepts apply to the role and how you've used them in past experiences. This will show that you're not just familiar with the terms, but that you can also translate them into real-world solutions.
✨Tailor Your Examples
Prepare specific examples from your previous roles that highlight your experience in OSS and telecommunications networking. Focus on situations where you successfully led technical engagements or defined success criteria for Proof of Concepts. Tailoring your stories to align with the job description will make a strong impression.
✨Engage with Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the company's approach to operations transformation and how they envision the future of Autonomous Networks. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Principal Solutions Architect, you'll need to articulate complex concepts clearly. Practice explaining your past projects in a way that's easy to understand for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions.
