Market Innovation Research Manager

AFL; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid in-office schedule

Flexible time-off policy

401(k) company match

Professional development programs

Excellent insurance options

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

AFL in Dallas, Texas is seeking a Market Innovation Research Manager to inform strategic direction through deep-domain innovation research and technology scouting. The role involves identifying emerging technologies, evaluating market opportunities, and delivering actionable insights for enhancing AFL's portfolio.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in market research and innovation strategy, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to translate technical insights into business strategy.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in market research or related roles.
• Strong analytical skills including market sizing.
• Ability to translate technical insights into business strategy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct technology scouting across optical fiber and adjacent domains.
• Develop innovation roadmaps with quarterly refresh cycles.
• Track technology maturity to inform innovation strategies.
• Build and manage strategic technical partnerships.
• Author research publications and establish thought leadership.

Skills

Market research

Innovation strategy

Technology scouting

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

Domain knowledge in optical communications

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree

Job description

A Market Innovation Research Manager leads deep‑domain innovation research and technology scouting to inform AFL’s strategic direction as part of the Innovation and Emerging technologies function. The role identifies emerging technologies, evaluates adjacent market opportunities, and delivers actionable insights that strengthen AFL’s portfolio, partnerships, and thought leadership across the fiber optics and connectivity ecosystem.

What We Offer

• A hybrid in‑office schedule for qualifying employees
• Flexible time‑off policy
• 401(k) company match (up to 4% dollar for dollar)
• Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
• Opportunities for career advancement with an industry‑leading company!

Responsibilities

Technology Scouting & Market Intelligence

• Conduct continuous technology scouting across optical fiber, photonics, CPO, AI data center infrastructure, and adjacent domains
• Track technology maturity and evolution to inform structured innovation roadmaps
• Develop forward‑looking scenario analyses mapping technology trajectories to AFL’s portfolio using different frameworks (e.g. “Four Future” positioning)
• Represent AFL at key industry events and conferences and lead AFL’s participation in different forums such as MSA, IEEE, etc.

Innovation Road Mapping & Strategic Insights

• Develop and maintain innovation roadmaps with quarterly refresh cycles
• Translate research findings into strategic recommendations on technology positioning and investment prioritization
• Deliver executive‑ready insights to guide long‑term portfolio development
• Align long‑term innovation plans with immediate product/solution development initiatives
• Own the long‑term technology development pipeline, maintaining a multi‑horizon view (3‑5+ years) of technologies advancing toward strategic and commercial relevance for AFL

Adjacent Market Opportunity Assessment

• Identify and evaluate adjacent market opportunities aligned to AFL capabilities
• Conduct market sizing, competitive analysis, and strategic fit assessments for specific technologies
• Produce structured opportunity assessments to support investment decisions
• Define and apply screening criteria (strategic fit, market timing, technology readiness, profit pool potential) to ensure the Innovation and Emerging Technologies and Scale‑Up resources concentrate on the highest‑value opportunities

Thought Leadership & Research Publications

• Author white papers, trend briefs, ESG‑aligned insights, and market analyses
• Establish AFL as an industry thought leader through research‑driven content

Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Development

• Build and manage strategic technical partnerships including MSAs, JDAs, and academic collaborations
• Maintain partnership pipeline visibility and engagement tracking
• Collaborate internally and externally to expand the innovation ecosystem

Innovation Pipeline Development

• Feed the discovery process with qualified innovation candidates supported by business case summaries
• Maintain pipeline aligned to strategic priorities and readiness
• Partner cross‑functionally to transition insights into execution pathways
• Maintain funnel health metrics and visibility — pipeline volume, conversion rates by stage, and time‑in‑stage — reported through the IET operating cadence

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• 7+ years in market research, innovation strategy, technology scouting, or related roles
• Strong analytical skills including market sizing and competitive analysis
• Ability to translate technical insights into business strategy
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Domain knowledge in optical communications, photonics, data center infrastructure, or adjacent technology markets strongly preferred
• Familiarity with industry standards bodies, MSAs, or multi‑party technical collaborations a plus

Working Conditions

• Environment: Office‑based, hybrid or remote work environment flexibility possible
• Travel: Moderate travel (domestic and international) as needed