CPO Business Unit Leader

Viaphoton; Naperville (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage starts day 1

401(k) with match

Flexible PTO that grows over time

10 paid holidays (2 floating)

Job summary

viaPhoton is building its Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) business from the ground up to serve hyperscale AI data centers and optical network OEMs. This role owns strategy, technology roadmap, staffing, and P&L, reporting to the CTO.

We seek a senior leader with 8+ years guiding tech teams, experience bringing advanced photonics products to market, and a deep understanding of optical networking, silicon photonics, and AI infrastructure. Onsite in Naperville with strong cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering (MS preferred); MBA is a plus.
• 8+ years guiding teams, including 5+ years running technology businesses.
• Experience bringing advanced technology products to market.
• Deep technical understanding of optical networking, silicon photonics, and AI infrastructure.
• Comfort in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment focused on customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Build and grow the CPO business into a market-defining organization, owning strategy, roadmap, staffing, and P&L
• Shape strategic plan for advanced photonics, define markets, product portfolio, and positioning
• Assemble a photonics team capable of delivering on the plan
• Guide development of enabling tech: co-packaged optics, silicon photonics, laser integration, fiber-to-chip interconnect, high-volume manufacturing
• Form partnerships with foundries, packaging suppliers, and research institutions

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Technology strategy

P&L management

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

MBA

Tools

Co-packaged optics

Silicon photonics

AI infrastructure

Job description

We are changing the norm by being customer-focused, technology-led. viaPhoton builds custom-engineered fiber optic solutions that power AI infrastructure, data centers, and 5G networks for some of the biggest names in tech. In five years we've grown to a team of 200+ and 4x'd our revenue in the last year alone, and we're just getting started. We're looking for dependable, hardworking people who take pride in their work and want to grow with us.

About the Role

You’ll build viaPhoton's Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) business from the ground up into a market-defining organization serving hyperscale AI data centers, GPU compute tray suppliers, and optical network switch OEMs. You’ll own the whole business, including strategy, technology roadmap, team, and P&L, pairing commercial know-how with deep technical understanding of optical networking, silicon photonics, and AI infrastructure. This role reports to the CTO.

• Build and grow the CPO business into a market-defining organization, owning strategy, technology roadmap, staffing, and P&L
• Shape and carry out a strategic plan for the advanced photonics business, defining target markets, product portfolio, and positioning
• Build a photonics team that can innovate and deliver against the plan
• Guide development of key enabling technologies: co-packaged optics, silicon photonics, laser integration, fiber-to-chip interconnect, and high-volume manufacturing
• Form strategic partnerships across foundries, photonics packaging and fiber optic component suppliers, and research institutions

What You’ll Bring

• Have a BS in Engineering (MS preferred); an MBA is a plus
• Have 8+ years of progressive experience guiding teams, including 5+ years running technology businesses
• Have brought advanced technology products to market
• Bring deep technical understanding of optical networking, silicon photonics, and AI infrastructure
• Are energized by a fast-paced environment where cross-functional teamwork and customer satisfaction come first
• Robust health, dental, and vision coverage that starts on day 1
• 401(k) with match, vests immediately after a 90-day waiting period
• Flexible PTO that grows over time
• 10 paid holidays, including 2 floating holidays
• Monthly team events

Schedule: Mon–Fri | Onsite

Compensation: $150,000 to $250,000 per year, plus annual bonus

At viaPhoton, we are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion. We reinforce this through our core values and beliefs as well as our processes and strategic goals. We remind team members to seek various viewpoints, learn and be hungry with curiosity, and gain trust.

We are an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions based on merit and qualifications. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, health condition, genetic information, marital or family status, military or veteran status, socioeconomic background, or any other status protected by applicable law.

We provide reasonable accommodations and adjustments throughout the hiring process. If you need one, please let us know. Any personal data you share with us is handled confidentially and in line with applicable data protection law.