Reload Technician, onsite Ottawa Lab

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

Ciena’s Asset on Loan (AOL) program enables Research & Development (R&D) teams to borrow the latest hardware and products from manufacturing for activities such as soak testing, product verification, and new hardware and software program development.

As a Reload Technician, you will play an important role in managing, testing, reloading, and recertifying these units before they are returned to Ciena’s finished goods inventory for future customer orders. You will gain hands-on experience working with Ciena’s latest R&D tools, testing processes, and lab infrastructure while contributing to product quality, inventory accuracy, and operational efficiency.

This role combines technical testing and scripting with inventory management and hardware handling.

The open position requires some afternoon shifts for swaps on weekly basis.

Key Responsibilities

Your time will be divided approximately as follows:

• 60% Technical Activities: Reloading, retesting, recertifying, scripting, and updating software loads on hardware units.
• 40% Inventory Management: Receiving, tracking, scanning, relocating, swapping, boxing, and packaging hardware units.

General Activities

Technical Testing and Recertification

• Perform manual and automated reload, retest, and recertification activities using Linux-based tools and scripting languages such as Python and Perl.
• Execute reload and recertification tests according to established engineering documentation and procedures.
• Configure and update software loads and perform traffic and system testing as required.
• Record test results and maintain accurate reload and recertification logs in the appropriate databases.
• Identify hardware and software failures, troubleshoot issues, and document and report problems to the appropriate teams.
• Conduct physical inspections of cards and perform minor repairs as needed.

Inventory and Hardware Management

• Receive and manage AOL hardware units and cards, including lab swaps and deployments.
• Perform regular lab inventory scans and update equipment locations to maintain accurate inventory records.
• Track hardware movements and ensure units are properly accounted for throughout the loan and return process.
• Repack and re-box hardware to meet Ciena’s Class A packaging standards before returning units to finished goods inventory.

The Must Haves:

• Previous experience with laboratory equipment inventory management and tracking.
• Exposure to telecommunications labs and a basic understanding of telecommunications equipment.
• Strong scripting skills, particularly in Python; familiarity with Perl is an asset.
• Familiarity with Linux environments and basic software or system testing is an advantage.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic environment with changing priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience with telecommunications hardware and R&D lab operations.
• Practical exposure to scripting, software loading, system testing, and product recertification.
• Experience with inventory control, hardware lifecycle management, and quality assurance.
• The opportunity to contribute to the processes that help ensure Ciena products are ready for customer delivery.

Pay Range: Our Technician's are paid hourly, for this role the hourly range is $28/hr - $45/hr

Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and 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, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

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.