Principal Coherent Systems Engineer

As Coherent Optical System Architect you will shape the next generation of coherent MODEMs on Nokia’s optical platform. You will work with prototype hardware and feedback loops to PIC and high-speed ASIC teams, driving performance characterization and model alignment. You’ll balance optical, electrical and digital tradeoffs to optimize system performance, with a focus on enabling higher baud rates on a testbed-driven development path. This role blends hands-on experimentation with cross-functional collaboration to deliver impactful, field-ready coherent solutions.

• Contribute to development of coherent MODEMs based on next-generation PICs
• Work with early prototype hardware to assess performance and provide rapid feedback to PIC and high-speed ASIC teams
• Characterize performance (SNR, OSNR tolerance, impairment penalties, sensitivity, model alignment)
• Collaborate with coherent ASIC, optical, high-speed analog ASIC, and systems engineering teams to optimize system performance
• Own optical design, optimization methods, and stabilization techniques to enable higher baud rates
• Capture coherent waveforms on high-speed scopes and perform coherent signal processing
• Assess BER in presence of optical noise and impairments; push baud rates forward
• Support control & firmware teams to optimize power-up calibration, receive acquisition, real-time monitoring, and in-service performance
• Present results as electrical and optical performance specs for next-gen platforms; contribute to field trials when required

• PhD in Electrical Engineering or Applied Physics with at least 3 years industrial experience in optical communications, photonics, high speed electronics or systems
• Strong understanding of optical communication systems (DWDM, fiber penalties, photonic components, integrated circuits) and signal processing
• Hands-on experience with system-level optical hardware and components
• Extensive knowledge of coherent communications (QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM) and forward error correction
• Experience characterizing RF/mm-wave interconnects, amplifiers and components; RF/mm-wave measurements and ENOB
• Hands-on with high-speed optical/electrical test, measurement equipment control and data acquisition
• Programming experience in MATLAB, Python, VB.net, or C

• cross-functional collaboration
• clear scientific communication
• problem solving with a pragmatic, result-oriented mindset
• coherent optical communications
• QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
• S-parameter and jitter measurements