Methods for optimizing a noise figure of a variable gain hybrid amplifier (HA) which includes a variable gain Raman amplifier with adjustable average gain GR and gain tilt TR and a variable gain lumped amplifier with adjustable average gain GL and gain tilt TL. In various embodiments, the methods include receiving as input a required hybrid amplifier average gain GH value and a required gain tilt TH value and deriving a set of GR, TR, GL and TL values which yield an optimal optimized hybrid amplifier NF and satisfy the conditions GR+GL=GH and that TR+TL is within a specified hybrid amplifier operating tilt range. In some embodiments, the derived TR and TL values satisfy the condition TR+TL=TH.