DSP Engineering Intern (spring And/or Summer 2026)

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineering Internship

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.

We are hiring for a 3-to-8-month long Digital Signal Processing (DSP) engineering internship position. We are hiring interns for both spring and summer 2026.

Please send in your application if you are interested in either one or both of these opportunities.

Ciena Corporation is a major American telecommunications networking equipment and software services supplier with 8000+ employees. The Ciena office in Atlanta, GA is expanding and hiring interns. They are interested in Electrical Engineering graduate students who are skilled in signal processing and optical communication/telecommunication.

Ciena employs advanced signal processing techniques to achieve record breaking speeds on optical links through its Wavelogic series of products. The latest Wavelogic 6e (6 Extreme) generation signals up to 1.6 Tb/s per wavelength and provides 800G connectivity across virtually all network links. It doubles the wavelength capacity, reduces space & power per bit by 50% and improves spectral efficiency by 15% as compared to the Wavelogic 5 Extreme generation.

How You Will Contribute: Reporting to Manager of DSP Engineering, as a DSP Engineer Intern, you will be part of the DSP team and will be involved in the design, modeling, and testing of current and next generation high speed optical modems.

• You will run simulations and document results.
• You will apply DSP principles to build functions in Matlab/C++ models.
• In collaboration with a variety of internal teams, you will provide feedback/suggestions on existing designs and contribute ideas to improve design procedures.

The Must Haves:

• Undergraduate or Graduate degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering with focus on digital hardware, communication- and/or digital signal processing.
• Working towards a Master's or Post-graduate Degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering with a focus on digital signal processing.
• Strong engineering math skills - linear algebra, complex numbers, FFT/IFFTs, Laplace transform, Z-transform, transfer functions, time/frequency domain signals, sampling theorem, correlation, convolution, modulation formats, probability, random variables, and statistics.
• Programming skills – Matlab, Python and C or C++ experience.
• Proven debugging- and problem-solving skills.

Assets:

• Knowledge of optical system building blocks such as DAC/ADC, amplifiers, analog and digital IIR/FIR filters, equalizers, feedback control loops, lasers, modulators, optical hybrids, and single mode fibers.

The pay range for this position is $25.00-34.00/hour

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.

In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers students access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation pay as required by applicable laws.

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.