GCN Principal Sales, Cloud & Ai Components

Ciena Corporation; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 281,000 - 449,000; Full time

Job summary

Ciena Corporation is seeking a Principal, Sales - Cloud & AI Components to drive growth in the semiconductor business across hyperscale, data center and OEM/ODM markets. You will lead direct sales and partner with PLM, R&D, Marketing and Sales to win opportunities and expand the interconnect portfolio.

The role targets senior relationships, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership while navigating fast-moving Cloud & AI infrastructure ecosystems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum of 15+ years of direct hardware, semiconductor, or component sales experience.
• Extensive knowledge of electro-optic solutions, data center architectures, switching/routing, optical transport technologies, cloud and AI infrastructure markets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to market and sell components portfolio directly to targeted customers.
• Exceed sales targets across assigned accounts and segments with stakeholder engagement and account planning.
• Promote collaboration across Product Line Management, R&D, Marketing, Services, and Legal to drive sales.
• Travel approximately 35% to engage customers and partners and close opportunities.

Skills

Sales leadership

Executive relationships

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical field

Tools

Salesforce CRM

CLM tools

Bid management

Job description

The **Principal, Sales - Cloud & AI Components** will be responsible for driving growth in Ciena's global semiconductor business through both direct and indirect sales channels within the Cloud & AI market. This role reports directly to the **Global Leader, Global Cloud & AI Networking Sales**.Ciena's Cloud & AI business segment is supported by the Global Cloud Networking Sales organization and serves hyperscale, neocloud, native AI, emerging AI, data center, and related customers globally.The successful candidate will lead direct sales engagements with targeted customers while partnering closely with direct sales teams, Product Line Management (PLM), R&D, and ecosystem partners to drive adoption of Ciena's interconnect solutions.The ideal candidate will have a strong background selling semiconductor and component solutions into hyperscale environments, with experience positioning high-performance electro-optic assemblies and modules across data center, switching, routing, and optical transport applications. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to work cross-functionally with Product Line Management, Engineering, Marketing, Legal, Sales, Finance, and Services organizations to execute successful sales strategies within the assigned market and territory.This individual will regularly engage with executive-level prospects, customers, and partners and will be expected to leverage an established industry network to create new business opportunities. The ability to anticipate market trends and understand evolving dynamics across hyperscale, AI, data center, OEM, and ODM segments is highly desirable.This role requires strong leadership, influence, and collaboration skills to drive success both internally and externally.Key ResponsibilitiesBusiness Development & Sales Execution* Develop and execute strategies to market and sell Ciena's components portfolio directly to targeted customers.* Create and execute business plans that support sales growth within priority accounts and market segments.* Drive sales of electro-optic assemblies, modules, and intellectual property into: Data center environments Semiconductor manufacturers and adjacent markets OEM and ODM partners Related ecosystem participants **Sales Leadershi**p* Consistently exceed sales targets across assigned accounts and market segments.* Apply complex sales methodologies with comprehensive stakeholder engagement and account planning.* Maximize utilization of Ciena's interconnect solutions and related intellectual property portfolio.* Maintain clear and accurate reporting on direct and indirect sales strategies, opportunities, and progress. **Cross-Functional Collaboratio**n* Promote collaboration across Product Line Management, R&D, Marketing, Services, Commercial Management, Legal, Human Resources, and other corporate functions.* Utilize sales and business tools effectively, including: Salesforce CRM Bid management applications Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) tools* Ensure compliance with all company sales policies, procedures, and guidelines. **Trave**l* Approximately **35% travel** required. **Required Experience**The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of:* Building and executing business plans and sales strategies from the ground up within high-growth technology markets.* Developing strong relationships with senior executives and key decision-makers across Cloud & AI organizations.* Driving successful design wins and solution adoption within data center environments and through OEM/ODM channels.* Demonstrating deep understanding of customer requirements and market dynamics within the data center and AI infrastructure ecosystem.* Selling complex semiconductor, component, or electro-optic solutions into hyperscale and cloud customers. **Desired Leadership Attribute**s* High integrity and transparency in business dealings.* Strong collaboration and team-oriented mindset.* Growth-oriented and entrepreneurial approach.* Resilience and ability to thrive in dynamic market environments. **Education & Qualification**s* Bachelor's degree in a technical field preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.* Minimum of **15+ years** of direct hardware, semiconductor, or component sales experience.* Extensive knowledge of: Electro-optic solutions Data center architectures Switching and routing platforms Optical transport technologies Cloud and AI infrastructure markets This role is ideal for a seasoned sales leader with established hyperscaler relationships, deep semiconductor and optical networking expertise, and a passion for driving growth in the rapidly expanding Cloud & AI ecosystem.The salary range for this position, in California, is: $281,200.00 - $449,200.00 USD