Coherent Systems Architect - Optical Modem Modeling and Specification

Job Description

Nokia is seeking a Coherent Optical System Architect to join our Optical Systems Group (OSG). The engineer will be responsible for contributing to the development of leading coherent MODEMs based on Nokia’s next‑generation coherent photonic integrated circuits (PICs).

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain state‑of‑the‑art simulation environments that guide Nokia’s MODEm design, including digital, analog and optical subsystems.
• Model and systematically break down all MODEm impairments, continuously aligning simulation results with experimental measurements of prototype hardware.
• Use sophisticated simulation platforms to guide major design decisions and provide feedback to cross‑functional design teams throughout the development cycle.
• Collaborate with the digital ASIC team, photonic integrated circuit, high‑speed analog ASIC, and line‑systems engineering teams; frequently interact with customers and internal networking groups on performance projections and network‑level impact.
• Understand trade‑offs between optical, electrical and digital capabilities to optimize the vertically integrated system performance.
• Evaluate DSP algorithms, estimate the impact of transistor‑level design choices, predict performance penalties of integrated optical components, and project the reach of optical engines based on fiber channel impairments.
• Assist in design by identifying relationships between low‑level hardware specifications and system‑level impact, and optimizing performance‑critical aspects.
• Present results internally and document electrical and optical performance specifications for next‑generation platforms.
• Participate in external and customer‑facing interactions, such as discussing expected improvements on customer networks and contributing to vendor forums.

Key Skills And Experience

• PhD in Electrical Engineering or Applied Physics with 0–3 years of industrial or academic experience in optical communications, photonics, high‑speed electronics or systems.
• Fundamental understanding of optical communication systems, DWDM transmission systems, fiber transmission penalties, photonic integrated components, electronic circuits, and signal analysis and processing.
• Strong mathematical background in analytical and numerical modelling of system‑level optical communication systems and components.
• Extensive knowledge of coherent communications systems, including QPSK, 16QAM, and 64QAM, and coding/forward‑error‑correction algorithms.
• Experience characterizing high‑speed RF and mm‑wave interconnects, amplifiers and components (e.g., S‑parameter, jitter, ENOB, nonlinear compression) and their system implications.
• Experience modeling linear and nonlinear signal impairments such as filtering, noise, amplitude/phase distortions, dispersion, etc.
• Programming experience in Matlab, Python, VB.NET or C preferred.