Global Emerging Technologies and Innovation Manager (Hybrid or Remote)

AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $3B in revenue, and employ approximately 12,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.

What We Offer:

• Flexible time off policy
• Hybrid: After gaining knowledge of our environment, there is the opportunity for this position to work under our Hybrid schedule working both in the office and remotely
• 401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)
• Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
• Opportunities for career advance with an industry leading company

The Global Emerging Technologies and Innovation Manager leads AFL to bring its next-generation fiber and connectivity products into the AI data center market. You will work with our R&D and manufacturing teams, and with the world’s leading cloud and AI hardware companies, to make sure AFL is part of what they build next.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Ecosystem Development

• Navigate the AI Hardware ecosystem to cultivate deep technical partnerships with key OEMs and ODMs (e.g., Foxconn, Quanta, Supermicro, Celestica) and System Integrators designing rack-scale AI solutions.
• Develop specific engagement strategies for the different partner networks, focusing on platform compatibility with next-gen architectures and ensuring our emerging fiber technologies align with roadmaps for high-speed GPU interconnects.
• Join Reference Architectures: Lead initiatives to qualify our fiber and optical components into OEM reference designs for AI servers and high-density switch chassis.

Emerging Solutions Portfolios

• Develop specific Solution Portfolios and roadmaps based on emerging fiber technologies (Multicore Fiber, Hollow core, Image Fiber, Ultra thin fiber, etc).
• Track, Adapt and Prepare technology strategies to the evolution of leading data center architectures
• Drive high-density, low-latency data center interconnects. Multicore Fiber (MCF) and Hollow-Core Fiber (HCF) cables, connectors, splicing, and fiber array units.
• Bring Fiber Transmission optics inside chassis and racks with short-reach (1–3 m) optical jumpers and backplane / midplane assemblies
• Lead the vertical and horizontal shuffle hardware that routes fiber within scale-up racks

Joint Development and Technology Agreements

• Identify and execute joint development agreements with key partners for realization of innovation roadmaps.
• Advanced Optics: Champion the adoption of Multi-core Fiber (MCF), Hollow Core Fiber. Lead the development, then position our technology to solve density, thermal, and latency challenges in Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) and optical-to-chip interconnects
• Execute on joint development agreements into strategic adjacencies by developing partnerships that address new product opportunities across the Data Center, Cloud and AI connectivity ecosystem.

Thought Leadership

• Provide thought leadership at industry events on the fiber technologies and roadmaps
• Promote the use of MCF via Chair position at Advanced Photonics Coalition
• Seek partners and interest via Director Position at Advanced Photonics Consortium
• Promote next gen fiber and connectivity solutions at OFC, ECOC, Optica and other industry events

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Optics, Physics, or related field; MBA or advanced technical (PhD/MS) degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in Business or product development or strategic market development, in the optical communications or data center hardware.
• Ecosystem Knowledge: Proven track record of working within the OEM/ODM and System Integrator ecosystem. Deep familiarity with the design cycles and qualification processes of major hardware manufacturers.
• Experience collaborating with global teams and navigating complex customer ecosystems.
• Active participation in industry standards bodies (TIA, OIF, IEEE, IEC) is a plus.

Other Information

• AFL is a fast paced and complex environment
• Salary range for this Global Emerging Technologies and Innovation Manager role is $146,300 – $246,000 per year based on personal and industry experience