Director, Co-Packaged Optics

Molex; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical

dental

vision

flexible spending and health savings

life insurance

AD&D

disability

retirement

paid vacation/time off

educational assistance

infertility assistance

paid parental leave

Job summary

Molex is seeking a Director of Co-Packaged Optics to lead the fiber connectivity strategy and drive product innovation across teams. You will shape the CPO roadmap, engage with customers, and guide early PLM efforts for key products.

The role reports to the General Manager of Optical Connectivity and requires strong leadership, market insight, and collaboration across R&D, marketing, and business development. This is a high-impact position based in Fremont, CA or Lisle, IL.

Qualifications

• Experience in product strategy, product management or business development in optical connectivity or related high-tech industries.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive product innovation.
• Strong customer engagement and communication skills.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic roadmaps and market forecasts.
• Experience working with R&D and advanced development teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Molex’s overall strategy for Co-Packaged Optics within the fiber connectivity domain.
• Collaborate with PLMs, BDMs, Marketing, and OCG leadership to define and evolve the CPO value proposition.
• Identify and prioritize target customers; tailor value propositions to meet specific customer needs.
• Develop a comprehensive product roadmap for new CPO-related solutions.
• Serve as the initial PLM for select new CPO products, with the goal of transitioning ownership to future PLMs or direct reports.
• Act as lead BDM in customer engagements; mentor and train other BDMs to represent CPO solutions effectively.
• Partner with R&D and Advanced Development teams to drive execution of new product development initiatives.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline and market forecast for CPO, including segmentation by standard, new, and hybrid products.
• Define organizational scope and structure for CPO product management, including potential team expansion and integration with traditional PLM functions.
• Own solution responsibility for all "inside the box" CPO offerings and serve as PLM for key products such as Teramount Teraverse system, FAU, ELS connector, Frame Shuffle system (potential), ELSFP full.

Skills

Product strategy

Product management

Cross-functional leadership

Customer engagement

Strategic roadmaps

Market forecasts

R&D collaboration

Job description

Your Job

Molex is seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial Director of Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) to lead the development and execution of our fiber connectivity strategy. This role will drive innovation and market leadership in CPO solutions, collaborating across product, business development, marketing, and R&D teams to shape the future of high-speed optical interconnects.

Location: Fremont, CA or Lisle, IL This role reports to the General Manager, Optical Connectivity.

Our Team

You’ll be part of the Optical Connectivity Group (OCG) leadership team, working closely with Product Line Managers (PLMs), Business Development Managers (BDMs), Marketing, and Advanced Development to define and deliver Molex’s value proposition in the CPO space. This is a high-impact opportunity with a growth path toward a General Manager role.

What You Will Do

• Lead the development of Molex’s overall strategy for Co-Packaged Optics within the fiber connectivity domain.
• Collaborate with PLMs, BDMs, Marketing, and OCG leadership to define and evolve the CPO value proposition.
• Identify and prioritize target customers; tailor value propositions to meet specific customer needs.
• Develop a comprehensive product roadmap for new CPO-related solutions.
• Serve as the initial PLM for select new CPO products, with the goal of transitioning ownership to future PLMs or direct reports.
• Act as lead BDM in customer engagements; mentor and train other BDMs to represent CPO solutions effectively.
• Partner with R&D and Advanced Development teams to drive execution of new product development initiatives.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline and market forecast for CPO, including segmentation by standard, new, and hybrid products.
• Define organizational scope and structure for CPO product management, including potential team expansion and integration with traditional PLM functions.
• Own solution responsibility for all "inside the box" CPO offerings and serve as PLM for key products such as:
• Teramount Teraverse system
• FAU
• ELS connector
• Frame Shuffle system (potential)
• ELSFP full

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Proven experience in product strategy, product management, or business development in optical connectivity or related high-tech industries.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and driving product innovation.
• Strong customer engagement and communication skills.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic roadmaps and market forecasts.
• Experience working with R&D and advanced development teams.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Prior experience in Co-Packaged Optics or high-speed interconnect technologies.
• Leadership experience with direct reports or in a matrixed organization.
• Familiarity with Molex product portfolio and customer base.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of scaling new technologies or business units.

For this role, we anticipate paying $225,000- $275,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• flexible spending and health savings accounts
• life insurance
• ADD
• disability
• retirement
• paid vacation/time off
• educational assistance
• infertility assistance
• paid parental leave