Director Strategy for Advanced Networking and Enterprise

Flex; Austin (TX); Remote; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Flex is recruiting a Director of Strategy for Advanced Networking and Enterprise to shape roadmaps in high-speed networking, optical, and switching. You will partner with customers and engineering to define requirements and drive product strategies across enterprise AI platforms, Satcom, and secure networking.

The role requires 5+ years in optical networking or silicon photonics, with a strong business- and market-facing track record.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years in optical networking, switch architecture, or silicon photonics in data centers and semiconductors.
• Proven track record in optical modules, transceivers, or photonic integration strategies.
• Strong understanding of network architectures (ToR, spine-leaf, optical circuit switching).
• Ability to translate technology insights into business strategy and drive execution.
• Excellent communication and executive-level presentation skills.
• Collaborates across engineering, operations and business development in a fast-moving setting.
• Experience bringing hardware products from ideation through launch and sustaining.

Responsibilities

• Define the roadmap for high-speed networking, optical and switches.
• Drive strategic partnerships to accelerate innovation.
• Evaluate make-versus-partner strategies for optical and switch integration.
• Lead development of solutions aligned with business objectives and market trends.
• Collaborate with engineering and R&D to define customer-focused requirements.
• Translate market feedback into compelling product requirements.
• Work with sales and marketing to position products and engage customers.
• Perform market and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and threats.
• Monitor trends in silicon photonics, optical switching, and Satcom to inform priorities.
• Engage with customers to gather insights and shape product strategy.
• Coordinate with supply chain to ensure manufacturability and cost optimization.

Skills

Strategic planning

Executive communication

Market analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Networking hardware

Silicon photonics

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering or Physics

Master's or PhD preferred

Job description

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market-leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world. A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment. If you are excited about a role but don't meet every bullet point, we encourage you to apply and join us to create the extraordinary.

The Director of Strategy for Advanced Networking and Enterprise will contribute to defining infrastructure solutions, products, and services roadmaps, focused on high-speed networking, optical, switching, smart NICs/DPUs, Satcom, and Enterprise AI platforms spanning Enterprise OEM, storage and cybersecurity. This role will be central to shaping Flex’s leadership across advanced connectivity domains — including optical transceivers, co-packaged optics, silicon photonics, smart NIC/DPU architectures, AI-driven infrastructure, storage systems, and secure networking platforms — as part of the Communications business group. Candidates living within 50 miles of any Flex site must follow the standard 4 days onsite per week policy. Otherwise candidates can be remote from the United States.

What a Typical Day Looks Like:

• Define the roadmap for high speed networking, optical and switches, aligning with customer requirements, hyperscaler trends, and emerging standards (e.g., 800G/1.6T optics, co-packaged switch modules).
• Drive strategic partnerships to accelerate innovation and ensure competitive differentiation.
• Evaluate and define make-versus-partner strategies for optical and switch integration.
• Lead the development of solutions aligned with the Communications business objectives and key market trends.
• Collaborate with engineering and R&D teams to define and develop solutions that meet evolving customer and industry needs.
• Translate customer feedback, market trends, and technology roadmaps into compelling product requirements.
• Work closely with sales, business development, and marketing to position products effectively and support customer engagement strategies.
• Perform market and competitive analysis to identify strategic opportunities and threats.
• Stay ahead of market and technology trends in silicon photonics, optical switching, Smart NICs, transceivers, and Satcom to inform investment and R&D priorities.
• Engage directly with communications and enterprise customers to gather insights and shape product strategies.
• Coordinate with supply chain and operations teams to ensure manufacturability, cost optimization, and high-quality delivery.
• Manage and monitor key metrics such as adoption, revenue, gross margin, and customer satisfaction.

The Experience We’re Looking to Add to Our Team:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline (Master’s or PhD preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in optical networking, switch architecture, or silicon photonics within data center, networking, and semiconductor industries.
• Proven track record in developing or managing optical modules, transceivers, or photonic integration strategies.
• Strong understanding of network architectures, including top-of-rack, spine-leaf, and optical circuit switching.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technology insights into business strategy and drive execution across large, matrixed organizations.
• Excellent communication and executive-level presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate across engineering, operations, and business development teams in a fast-moving global environment
• Proven track record in bringing hardware products from ideation through launch and sustaining.
• Ability to synthesize technical details into customer value propositions and business impact.
• Strong analytical skills with an ability to use data to support product decisions and trade-offs.
• Familiarity with open-source frameworks (e.g., OCP, SONiC) and regulatory environments related to IT infrastructure
• Passion for innovation, sustainability, and building next-generation infrastructure solutions.

Flex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on: age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status, or any other status protected by law. We're happy to provide reasonable accommodations to those with a disability for assistance in the application process. Please email [e-mail] and we'll discuss your specific situation and next steps (NOTE: this email does not accept or consider resumes or applications. This is only for disability assistance. To be considered for a position at Flex, you must complete the application process first).