Optical AI Product Line Manager

Ciena; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 139,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(K) with company match

Employee stock purchase program (ESPP)

Paid holidays/sick leave/vacation

Job summary

Ciena is seeking a leader to own the strategy and commercialization of optical networking solutions enabling AI connectivity for data center interconnect, metro, and long-haul domains. You will collaborate with North American CSPs, sales, and engineering to craft compelling business cases for AI traffic and translate customer needs into the product roadmap.

The role sits at the intersection of network architecture and commercial strategy, requiring credibility with CSP technology offices and

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of optical and IP networking architectures across DCI, metro and long-haul.
• Experience building business cases, monetization models and TCO analyses.

Responsibilities

• Own the strategy and commercialization of Optical networking solutions for AI connectivity in North America.
• Lead engagements with CSPs to engineer and monetize AI training and inference traffic.
• Translate customer learning into Ciena's product roadmap and solution portfolio.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and prioritize roadmap features.

Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We are a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

As a member of Ciena’s Optical Systems Product Line Management team, you will own the strategy and commercialization of Optical networking solutions for AI connectivity across Data Center Interconnect (DCI), metro and long-haul domains. You will lead engagements with North American Communications Service Providers (CSPs) on how to engineer and monetize their optical networks for AI training and inference traffic. Working with the customer, Sales and Sales Engineering, you will build account-specific solution plans that support CSP business cases for AI connectivity demand, and you will translate what you learn into Ciena’s product roadmap and solution portfolio.

This role sits at the intersection of network architecture and commercial strategy. You will be equally credible debating coherent optics and fabric design with a CSP’s technology and product strategy teams and building the revenue and TCO case that justifies their investment.

Within twelve months, you will have established Ciena as the architectural reference point for AI connectivity with a defined set of North American CSP accounts.

You have personally taken a technical architecture position and converted it into a customer investment decision. You have driven technical engagements on networking for AI workloads with hyperscalers, neoclouds, CSPs or enterprises, and have worked closely with customer influencers across product strategy, engineering and technology introduction functions. Experience translating cloud networking practice into service provider environments is a strong advantage.

This role is based in North America.

Must-have

• Deep working knowledge of optical and IP networking architectures across DCI, metro and long-haul
• Working knowledge of AI cluster networking: scale-out and scale-across fabrics, distributed training traffic patterns, inference latency and distribution requirements
• Ability to build and defend customer business cases, including service monetization models and TCO/capex/opex analysis
• Ability to operate credibly across both architecture and commercial strategy, engaging a CSP technology office on design, and their strategy and finance stakeholders on the investment case
• Ability to gather and translate customer and internal stakeholder requirements into product specifications, proposals, and RFI/RFP responses
• Ability to work with cross-functional engineering, R&D and PLM teams to define and prioritize roadmap features
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills; able to use data and metrics to support a strategic narrative
• Clear communication and presentation skills across technical and non-technical audiences, including executive stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives with minimal direction in a globally matrixed, cross-functional environment
• Willingness to travel approximately 25%, primarily within North America

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Computer Science or related), or equivalent experience — required
• Master’s degree — preferred

Experience

Required

• 10+ years in telecommunications or data communications, spanning networking hardware and software, architecture, product line management or solution development. Prior experience in product management, solutions architecture, technical marketing, or sales engineering
• Demonstrated technical engagements on networking for AI workloads with hyperscalers, neoclouds, CSPs or enterprises
• Track record of converting a technical architecture position into a customer investment decision

Preferred

• Experience translating cloud networking practice into service provider environments
• Experience with coherent optical technologies
• Exposure to industry forums, standards bodies or global customer engagements

If you meet most of this and can demonstrate the combination of technical depth and commercial judgment we are describing, we would like to hear from you.

The salary range for this position, in Canada, is:

$138,900.00 - $221,900.00 CAD

Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is anEqual Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.