Engineering Program Lead

Lumentum; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading optical solutions company in Ottawa seeks an Engineering Program Lead to manage complex product development in a collaborative environment. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team and be the central communication hub for technical execution. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in R&D or program management, strong leadership skills rooted in empathy, and knowledge of project planning tools. A degree in a related field is required. Join us to shape the future of AI infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in R&D, product development, or program management.
• Knowledge of product life cycles and project planning tools.
• Exceptional leadership capabilities and ability to form collaborative relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team through the full lifecycle of optical products.
• Collaborate to plan and complete technical projects.
• Align technical execution with stakeholders and customers.

Skills

Leadership capabilities rooted in empathy

Collaboration

Critical thinking

Education

Degree in engineering, physics, computer science, or related field

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Agile methodologies

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!
We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Lumentum Canada was awarded the 2022 National Capital Region’s Top Employers for the 6th consecutive year and the 2022 Career Directory Canada’s Best Employers for Recent Graduates for the 5th consecutive year.

Lumentum is a global leader in optical and photonic solutions for cloud and networking markets. Its R300 Optical Circuit Switch (OCS) 300×300 product is currently sampling with hyperscale customers and is moving toward general availability in H2 2025, demonstrating strong performance in scalability, optical performance, energy efficiency, and latency improvements.
The scaling opportunity in optical circuit switching is huge. As AI/ML compute clusters demand massive intra–data center interconnect bandwidth with low power and low latency, OCS is becoming a foundational building block. To capture this opportunity, Lumentum is creating a new Switching Business Unit.

Why You’ll Love This Role

As the Engineering Program Lead, you will be the heartbeat of our new Switching Business Unit. This is not a role where you will be siloed or lost in bureaucracy. You will be managing the development and release of complex products in an environment that creates a unique space for your growth.

At Lumentum, we bridge the gap between generations of engineering excellence. You will lead projects backed by the mentorship of world-renowned experts who are generous with their knowledge, while being given the autonomy to drive real impact. We value leaders who combine critical thinking with empathetic and diplomatic communication, and we believe that our differences—in background, perspective, and experience—make us stronger and more creative.

This is your opportunity to orchestrate the future of AI infrastructure in a culture that champions diversity through active Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and a commitment to inclusion.

What You Will Do

You will lead a multi-disciplinary team through the full lifecycle of our cutting‑edge optical products. You will move beyond simple task tracking to become a strategic partner in our engineering success.

• Orchestrate Innovation: Collaborate with engineers from diverse disciplines (software, optics, electronics) to plan and complete technical projects that are changing the industry.

• Bridge the Gaps: Serve as the central communication hub, aligning technical execution with stakeholders, executive management, and customers.

• Navigate the New: Thrive in ambiguous situations where new technologies are introduced rapidly; you will define the path to resolution when risks arise.

• Influence Process: Identify gaps and recommend improvements by questioning the status quo and fostering innovative thinking across your teams.

• Customer Connection: Participate frequently in communications with customers and product line management, providing visibility on program status.

What You Bring

We know that women and underrepresented groups often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the criteria. We are looking for potential and ability, not just a checklist. If you have the core skills and the drive to learn, we encourage you to apply.

• The Experience: Approximately 5+ years of experience in R&D, product development, or program management. We are looking for quality of impact over quantity of years.

• The Toolkit: Knowledge of product life cycles and project planning tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, Agile methodologies).

• The Soft Skills: Exceptional leadership capabilities rooted in empathy. You know how to form collaborative relationships and navigate complex dynamics with diplomacy.

• The Education: A degree in engineering, physics, computer science, or a related technical field.

Bonus Points (Not Required)

• Familiarity with photonics, optics, or mechanical design.

• Experience working with geographically distributed teams.

• PMP, Scrum, or similar certifications.

Ready to Shape the Future?

Join a team where you can learn, lead, and deliver the next generation of industry‑leading products. Apply today to help us build the future of light.