Delivering Specialized Engineering Talent to Accelerate Optical Networking Innovation for AI/Data Centers

The Client

The client is a global manufacturing company specializing in optical and photonic technologies.

The Challenge

As demand grew for next-generation optical and networking programs, the organization needed access to highly specialized engineering talent across several niche disciplines. Many roles required complex combinations of technical expertise, including embedded Linux, C/C++, Python, networking protocols, SONiC, optical switching, FPGA verification, device interfaces, security and cross-functional product development.

Hiring managers also had limited time each week to review resumes and conduct interviews, making efficient candidate screenings and a highly coordinated delivery process critical. The organization needed a staffing partner that could quickly identify qualified talent while minimizing the administrative burden on internal teams.

Actalent's Solution

Actalent implemented a structured delivery model spanning the entire hiring lifecycle, from intake and sourcing through onboarding, consultant support and quarterly business reviews.

To support multiple openings, Actalent aligned dedicated recruiters to specific roles and business priorities. This approach established clear ownership, improved coordination and enabled more targeted candidate delivery while reducing demands on hiring managers.

The engagement covered a broad range of engineering functions, including software, firmware, FPGA/ASIC, hardware, optical engineering, test and verification, and cloud and DevOps. By leveraging a single staffing partner across these interconnected functions, the client benefited from a more streamlined and scalable talent acquisition process.

Through detailed intake meetings, targeted sourcing, coordinated interview management and onboarding support, Actalent created an efficient hiring process that reduced administrative burden while accelerating the delivery of qualified candidates.

The Results

Through the structured recruiting strategy, Actalent successfully filled several highly specialized roles, including senior SONiC software development engineers, embedded networking and software engineers, platform firmware engineers, embedded and software supply chain security engineers, FPGA verification engineers, and software design verification and characterization engineers.

Qualified candidates were presented within five to seven business days, with interviews scheduled within 24 to 48 hours of submission and feedback provided within 24 hours of each interview.

The engagement also delivered strong retention results. Over a nine-month period, the client reported 100% consultant retention and 0% turnover. Additionally, several consultants are expected to convert to full-time positions, demonstrating long-term alignment between talent and the client’s business objectives.

Actalent’s retention strategy played a significant role in these outcomes. The approach combined dedicated recruiter support, monthly consultant touchpoints, Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys at key stages of the assignment, quarterly business reviews, performance and merit discussions, and ongoing career planning resources.

By combining specialized expertise with a structured consultant engagement strategy, Actalent helped the organization develop the operational framework needed to support the client’s continued expansion of its optical networking and technology initiatives.