Software Engineer - Optical Networks

Job Description Location: Portugal (Hybrid)

Division: Optical Networks (Nokia)

In an increasingly connected world powered by AI-driven data centers and global telecom infrastructure, optical networks are more critical than ever.

By joining our Optical Networks division—recently boosted by the acquisition of Infinera —you’ll be part of an industry-leading team pushing the boundaries of ultra-fast, high-capacity network technology worldwide.

Whether you are a passionate junior engineer / recent graduate looking to accelerate your career under expert mentorship, or a mid-level software engineer ready to take ownership of complex systems and influence architectural decisions, this role offers an ideal environment to grow and thrive.

We operate in a high-trust, international, and collaborative environment where clean code, continuous learning, and software craftsmanship are our North Star. We don’t expect you to know everything on day one—we are looking for curious problem-solvers who are excited to grow alongside top industry experts.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Real-World Global Impact: Write high-performance code that directly powers mission-critical global connectivity from day one.
• Mentorship & Ownership: Enjoy structured guidance to navigate your learning curve as a junior, or technical autonomy to drive features and design choices as a mid-level engineer.
• AI-Enhanced Workflow: Leverage modern AI coding assistants and LLM utilities integrated directly into our Development Life Cycle (DLC) to automate boilerplate tasks, generate tests, and focus on high-level logic.
• Flexible Hybrid Model: Work in a supportive, modern environment in Portugal with global exposure.

How You Will Contribute And What You Will Learn

• Architect & Code: Build high-performance, robust applications for modern hardware architectures using Modern C++.
• System Modernization: Work with STL, Boost, design patterns, and asynchronous/multi-threaded programming to solve complex systems engineering challenges.
• Quality First: Apply engineering best practices to ensure software robustness through automated unit (GTest), integration, and stress testing.
• Collaborate & Innovate: Participate actively in design discussions, peer code reviews, and cross-functional initiatives within a global engineering team.

Key Skills And Experience Core Essentials:

• C++ Fundamentals: Strong grasp of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), basic data structures, algorithms, and memory management.
• Adaptable Experience Level: We welcome candidates ranging from recent graduates / entry-level engineers to mid-level developers looking to deepen their C++ and systems knowledge.
• Growth Mindset: High curiosity for modern C++ standards, eagerness to learn, and passion for technology.
• Tooling Basics: Familiarity with Linux environments, Git, or scripting languages (e.g., Python or Bash).
• Communication: Fluency in English and excitement to collaborate across international teams.
• Education: BSc or MSc in Computer Science, Telecommunications, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related field.

Nice-to-Haves (Not mandatory – academic exposure counts!):

• Optical & Telecom Concepts: Understanding of Optical Networks, Layer 0/1, DWDM, or hardware components (e.g., ROADM, WSS)—whether acquired through university coursework, academic projects/thesis, or prior work experience.
• Systems Programming: Exposure to embedded systems, OS fundamentals, or multi-threading.
• Testing Culture: Practical familiarity with testing frameworks like GTest or CTest.