Director, Business Development — Semiconductor, Standards & Ecosystem Partnerships

Silith; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Silith is looking for a Director of Business Development — Semiconductor & Ecosystem Partnerships to own strategic relationships with semiconductor companies and the broader optical/AI infrastructure ecosystem. You will identify, structure, and manage partnerships that expand Silith's integration footprint and accelerate co-development with key silicon and system partners.

You will work with the VP of BD, CRO, Engineering, and Product to convert ecosystem relationships into technical alignment,

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or related roles in semiconductor, optical communications, or AI infrastructure companies.
• Track record building and managing partnerships with semiconductor companies (ASIC, merchant silicon, or component vendors).
• Strong technical fluency — able to engage credibly with partner engineering teams on integration and co-development topics.

Responsibilities

• Own and expand relationships with semiconductor partners—ASIC vendors, merchant silicon providers, and adjacent component companies.
• Identify co-development, integration, and joint qualification opportunities with hyperscaler and OEM customers.
• Structure and negotiate partnership agreements (technical collaboration, joint development, co-marketing) with Legal and executive leadership.
• Track semiconductor partner roadmaps and translate implications into Silith's partnership and product strategy.
• Build a pipeline of new semiconductor partnership opportunities aligned with Silith's roadmap and target markets.
• Build and manage relationships across the optical interconnect and AI infrastructure ecosystem—vendors and system integrators.
• Identify ecosystem gaps or dependencies and drive partnerships to close them.
• Monitor the competitive ecosystem landscape and identify partnership opportunities that create differentiation.
• Develop joint go-to-market plans with strategic partners, including co-marketing and reference architectures.
• Partner with Sales, BD, and Technical Marketing to build joint value propositions with partner offerings.

Skills

Executive communication

Relationship building

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical fluency

Partnership negotiations

Job description

The Director, Business Development — Semiconductor & Ecosystem Partnerships will own Silith's strategic relationships with semiconductor companies and the broader optical/AI infrastructure ecosystem — ASIC and merchant silicon vendors, connector and interconnect companies, and adjacent technology providers. This person will identify, structure, and manage partnerships that expand Silith's technical integration footprint, accelerate co-development with key silicon and system partners, and strengthen Silith's position within the broader AI infrastructure supply chain. The role works closely with the VP of BD, the CRO, Engineering, and Product to convert ecosystem relationships into technical alignment, joint go-to-market opportunities, and, ultimately, revenue.

Responsibilities:

• Own and expand relationships with semiconductor partners — ASIC vendors, merchant silicon providers, and adjacent component companies — relevant to Silith's silicon photonics roadmap
• Identify co-development, integration, and joint qualification opportunities that strengthen Silith's technical position with hyperscaler and OEM customers
• Structure and negotiate partnership agreements (technical collaboration, joint development, co-marketing) in partnership with Legal and executive leadership
• Track semiconductor partner roadmaps and technology direction, and translate implications into Silith's partnership and product strategy
• Build a pipeline of new semiconductor partnership opportunities aligned with Silith's product roadmap and target market segments
  Ecosystem Partnership Development
• Build and manage relationships across the optical interconnect and AI infrastructure ecosystem — connector and interconnect vendors, system integrators, and adjacent technology providers
• Identify ecosystem gaps or dependencies that could affect Silith's ability to deliver integrated solutions to customers, and drive partnerships to close them
• Monitor the competitive ecosystem landscape and identify partnership opportunities that create differentiation versus competing silicon photonics vendors
• Evaluate and prioritize potential ecosystem partners based on strategic fit, technical synergy, and go-to-market impact
  Joint Go-to-Market & Co-Selling
• Develop joint go-to-market plans with strategic semiconductor and ecosystem partners, including co-marketing, joint customer engagements, and reference architectures
• Partner with Sales, BD, and Technical Marketing to build joint value propositions that combine Silith's technology with partner offerings for shared target accounts
• Support partner-influenced or partner-sourced opportunities within Silith's design win funnel
• Coordinate with Sales Programs & Operations to ensure partner-driven opportunities are tracked and reported consistently
  Technical Alignment & Co-Development
• Work closely with Engineering and Product to identify technical integration points with semiconductor and ecosystem partners (e.g., interface compatibility, packaging co-design, qualification requirements)
• Facilitate technical working sessions between Silith and partner engineering teams to align on roadmaps and integration requirements
• Support joint qualification and validation efforts required to bring integrated solutions to customers
  Partnership Program Management
• Build and maintain a structured partnership program, including partner tiering, engagement models, and success metrics
• Track partnership pipeline, status, and impact, and provide regular updates to the VP of BD and executive leadership
• Own partner relationship health — cadence of engagement, escalation paths, and resolution of partnership issues
• Develop scalable processes and materials (partnership frameworks, agreement templates, engagement playbooks) as the partnership function grows
  Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Serve as the primary point of coordination between BD, Engineering, Product, and Sales on semiconductor and ecosystem partnership matters
• Keep the CRO and executive leadership informed of partnership developments that could affect strategic accounts or competitive positioning
• Partner with Technical Marketing on joint content, co-branded materials, and industry event presence with key partners

Requirements:

• 10+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or related roles at a semiconductor, optical communications, or AI infrastructure company
• Track record building and managing partnerships with semiconductor companies (ASIC, merchant silicon, or component vendors)
• Strong technical fluency — able to engage credibly with partner engineering teams on integration and co-development topics
• Experience structuring and negotiating partnership agreements
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience working across Engineering, Product, Sales, and Legal
• Excellent relationship-building and executive communication skills
  Preferred Qualifications
• Existing relationships with semiconductor companies or interconnect vendors relevant to AI infrastructure and optical interconnect
• Experience with silicon photonics, CPO/NPO architectures, or high-speed optical/electrical interconnect
• Background in a technical role (engineering, applications engineering) prior to moving into BD or partnerships
• Experience building a partnership function or program from an early stage
• Familiarity with semiconductor industry go-to-market and co-selling models
  Success Measures
• Expanded, well-managed portfolio of semiconductor and ecosystem partnerships aligned with Silith's roadmap and target accounts
• Joint go-to-market and co-selling motions that generate measurable pipeline and revenue impact
• Strong technical alignment between Silith and key partners, reducing integration risk for customers
• A scalable, well-documented partnership program with clear tiering, engagement models, and metrics

Tools you will master and utilize daily: