Software Engineering Intern (3-12 Months)

Software Engineering Intern (3-12 Months)

Internship 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Ciena

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop cutting-edge software and collaborate on innovative network solutions.
  • Company: Join Ciena, a leader in high-speed connectivity with a people-first culture.
  • Benefits: Flexible work environment, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic team atmosphere with excellent career advancement opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in tech while working on exciting projects.
  • Qualifications: Experience in programming (C, C++, Python) and familiarity with Linux.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ 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 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.

The Opportunity

The Opportunity

3-12 month internship starting June 2027 Since 1992, Ciena has been driven by a relentless pursuit of network innovation.

We believe in a network that grows smarter, more agile, and more responsive every day.

This means that when you digitally interact in your world - picking up the phone, streaming video, texting a friend or loved one – your interactions are being enabled by Ciena technologies.

Ciena makes your social/entertainment/business existence REAL.

Ciena is seeking early in career Software Engineers to work with our engineering team and help drive the development of the Service-Aware Operating System (SAOS), in order to support our customers in developing and deploying their virtualized networks.

  • The Responsibilities
  • Develop embedded software on the Ciena NOS, which is a modified Linux operating system
  • Participate in all stages of software development - requirements analysis, architect and high-level design, implementation and testing
  • Troubleshoot software issues, provide customer and verification support
  • Design and develop unit tests and test-automation suites
  • Engage with Product Owners and System Architects to evolve software applications adopting new features and technologies without compromising performance
  • Influence the software architecture, improve resiliency, debuggability and maintainability

What technical experience and/or professional and personal skills are required for this role?

  • Excellent analytical, problem solving and programming skills (C, C++, Python)
  • Excellent communication and technical documentation skills
  • Excellent organization skills to manage time, resources, and priorities
  • Familiarity with Linux development environment
  • Ideal candidate will have hands-on experience or be familiar with the following:
  • Knowledge of network routers/switches or routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, etc.)
  • Experience in open-source software development or usage of Linux OS (ideally Debian), containers and Kubernetes
  • Experience with automated test frameworks such as Jenkins
  • Experience with design and development tools such as Atlassian (Bitbucket, Confluence, Jira), Eclipse, GDB, etc.
  • Independent self-starter and capable of effectively managing priorities to achieve business objectives
  • Comfortable in a team environment while still taking accountability and working independently as needed

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.

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Software Engineering Intern (3-12 Months) employer: Ciena

Ciena is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of respect, growth, and belonging, making it an ideal workplace for professionals in the telecom industry. Located in Greater London, employees benefit from a vibrant work environment that encourages innovation and collaboration, alongside ample opportunities for personal and professional development. With a focus on cutting-edge technology and a commitment to employee well-being, Ciena stands out as a rewarding place to advance your career in data architecture and strategy.

Ciena

Contact Details:

Ciena Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Software Engineering Intern (3-12 Months)

Join Developer Communities!

Dive into online communities like GitHub or Stack Overflow. Contributing to open-source projects can really showcase your coding skills and catch the eye of hiring managers at companies like Ciena.

Attend Tech Meetups and Hackathons

Get your name out there by attending local tech meetups and hackathons. It's a perfect way to network with industry professionals and fellow interns, while also demonstrating your coding prowess in a collaborative setting.

Leverage University Career Services

Don't forget about your university's career services! They often have partnerships with companies like Ciena, and can help you access exclusive internship listings and workshops tailored for aspiring interns like us.

Show Off Your Work

Create a portfolio showcasing your coding projects on a platform like GitHub Pages or personal website. When applying for internships, we should link this to provide tangible proof of our skills and creativity, making us stand out to Ciena!

We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineering Intern (3-12 Months)

Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Programming Skills (C, C++, Python)
Communication Skills
Technical Documentation Skills
Organisation Skills
Linux Development Environment

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Side Projects:If you've got any side projects or contributions to open source, make sure to highlight them in your CV. We want to see what you can create! Include links to your GitHub or any relevant platforms to give us a taste of your coding style and skills.

Tailor Your CV for Software Engineering:Make your CV pop by tailoring it specifically for software engineering. List relevant programming languages, frameworks, and tools you’ve worked with, and showcase any tech stacks you're familiar with. This will help us quickly see how you fit into the Ciena team!

Let Your Passion Shine in Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don't just list your skills—tell us why you're passionate about software engineering! We love to see candidates who are eager to learn and grow, so share what excites you about this field and how a role at Ciena can help you on your journey.

Demonstrate Your Learning Mindset:As this is an internship, focus on your willingness to learn and adapt! We’re keen to see examples of how you’ve tackled challenges or learnt new skills in the past. Bring that eagerness to your application, showing us that you're ready to dive into a real-world software environment at Ciena!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ciena

Showcase Your Coding Skills

Since you're aiming for a software engineering internship, be ready to code on the spot or discuss your past projects. Brush up on your problem-solving skills, and practise coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. We want to see how you approach problems and apply your knowledge, so having a few coding examples up your sleeve will definitely help!

Bring Your Portfolio to Life

Prepare a portfolio that highlights your coding projects—don't just list them! Be ready to explain your thought process, the technologies used, and any challenges you faced. It’s not just about the final product; we want to hear how you made it happen, so this narrative will show your depth of understanding and passion for software development.

Get Familiar with Technical Questions

Expect some technical questions or scenarios in the interview that assess your understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software design. Practise explaining your coding decisions clearly—it's less about getting the right answer and more about demonstrating your thought process and reasoning skills, which are crucial for growth in an internship.

Highlight Your Willingness to Learn

As an intern, your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn are key! During the interview, emphasise your willingness to tackle new challenges and pick up new skills. Companies like Ciena are often looking for candidates who can grow with them, so remind us why you're excited about opportunities to learn and contribute in a team environment.