Optical Systems Engineer - Doctoral Student with the DN NESTOR (Portugal) - #237603

Research Engineer and Doctoral Student

Infinera is looking for an excellent intern professional with a master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or physics to join our Optical Architecture Group in Lisbon, Portugal and enrol in a PhD program. The PhD work is part of the Doctoral Network (DN) NESTOR funded by the European Commission and it will be carried out at Infinera premises in Lisbon. As part of the training activities, the candidate will also have a secondment at Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy. The PhD degree will be awarded by Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE).

The evolution of optical networks will be paramount to sustain demanding applications such as 5G/6G, cloud services, and AI/ML. Coherent pluggable transceivers are one of the key innovations driving this evolution and allowing, for example, to finally realize the vision of an IP-over-DWDM network architecture. Moreover, the introduction of coherent pluggable transceivers in different network segments (e.g., metro-core, metro-aggregation) can enable opportunities to further simplify the network architecture and reduce CAPEX and OPEX by evolving to a flexible and converged metro network. One important aspect of this convergence is the possible coexistence of point-to-point (P2P) and point-to-multipoint (P2MP) connections over the same infrastructure, which can impose specific requirements on the node architectures, performance evaluation models, control systems and network design/optimization methodologies.

The research and development work will focus on modelling and optimizing next-generation metro-aggregation networks leveraging coherent pluggable transceivers. The main objectives include:

(1) Investigating efficient and flexible node architectures to support both P2P and P2MP connections in metro networks.

(2) Investigation of accurate and fast performance estimation methods suitable for the converged metro network scenario.

(3) Development of an optimization framework tailored for the design and operation of converged metro networks using P2P- and P2MP-capable coherent pluggable transceivers.

(4) Benchmarking the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies and techno-economic assessment of the proposed solution against legacy ones.

Within the framework of this program, the candidate will work most of the time at the site of Infinera in Lisbon, where he/she will be part of a multi-disciplinary architecture team that actively contributes to the definition and implementation of Infinera’s next-generation optical line system and planning tools.

About the doctoral network NESTOR

The doctoral network NESTOR aims to investigate and develop solutions to cost-effectively deploy coherent optical transceivers in metro-access networks, which is envisioned to be a fundamental step towards supporting a myriad of future highly demanding applications. The requirements to successfully introduce these high-capacity devices (predominant in larger core and regional networks) in these cost-sensitive and shorter reach networks encompass low cost, low power consumption, small footprint, interoperability, and hardened operation. To meet these demanding goals, the NESTOR project will cover research topics ranging from digital signal processing to improved network design and operation techniques.

NESTOR includes as beneficiaries and partners key industry players and prominent universities and research institutes: Infinera Unipessoal Lda (project coordinator, Portugal), Coriant R&D GmbH (part of the Infinera group, Germany), Politecnico di Torino (Italy), Technical University of Eindhoven (the Netherlands), Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (Spain), Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari e di Perfezionamento Sant’Anna (Italy), Aston University (UK), Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (Portugal), Orange (France), British Telecommunications (UK), SM Optics (Italy), VPI photonics (Germany), Ericsson Telecomunicazioni (Italy).

Essential Functions / Key Responsibilities

• Investigate existing and new optical node architectures for converged metro networks leveraging point-to-point and point-to-multipoint coherent pluggable transceivers.
• Develop network design and operation frameworks tailored for converged metro networks optimizing metrics such as cost, power consumption, footprint and scalability. Execute detailed techno-economic comparisons.
• Implement simplified models to estimate optical performance in converged metro networks using coherent pluggable transceivers and the selected node architectures. These models will be used to ensure the feasibility of the solutions obtained.
• Work collaboratively with other forward-thinking team members and external researchers from academic and industry.
• Write and present internal and public reports and deliverables.
• Write and present technical papers in high-impact journals and conferences from the IEEE and OPTICA.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Understanding of digital communications and telecommunications systems.
• Knowledge of the most relevant subsystems of an optical communication system (i.e., transceivers, modulators, optical amplifiers, optical switches) and familiar with optical node architectures.
• Experience with optimization models and algorithms (e.g., integer linear programming models, heuristic algorithms).
• Knowledge of digital signal processing and optical transmission models.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. The candidate must be able to convey the results of the investigation work clearly and concisely in written form as well as in oral communications.
• Programming experience in Matlab, Python, Julia, or similar. The candidate must be able to develop his/her own simulation tools, or extend existing ones, to carry out the necessary analysis. Highly attentive to detail, motivated, and possessing troubleshooting skills.

Education / Experience:

• Master’s in electrical engineering/computer science/physics
• B2-C1 English Level

Infinera is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Infinera complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.