Optical AI Product Line Manager

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 139,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with company matching

Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Paid holidays, sick leave, and paid/v

Job summary

Ladders is seeking an Optical AI Product Line Manager to shape strategy and commercialization of optical networking solutions that enable AI-driven connectivity. The role partners with North American service providers to develop account-specific solutions and to build a compelling business case for deployment.

You will operate at the intersection of product strategy, technical solutioning, and commercial engagement, collaborating with engineering, R&D, and customer-facing teams to drive roadmap

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of optical and IP networking architectures across DCI, metro, and long-haul domains.
• Familiarity with AI cluster networking, including distributed training traffic patterns and inference latency.
• Proven ability to build customer business cases, including TCO and capex/opex analysis.
• Experience engaging with both technical and commercial stakeholders in service provider environments.
• Strong analytical skills to support strategic narratives with data.
• Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences, including executives.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives in a cross-functional environment.

Responsibilities

• Own the strategy and commercialization of optical networking solutions for AI connectivity.
• Lead engagements with North American service providers to monetize their optical networks.
• Develop account-specific solution plans that align with customer business cases.
• Translate customer insights into the product roadmap and solution portfolio.
• Collaborate with engineering and R&D teams to prioritize roadmap features.
• Establish the organization as a reference point for AI connectivity within defined customer accounts.
• Drive technical engagements on networking for AI workloads with various stakeholders.

Skills

Optical & IP networking architectures

AI cluster networking

Business case development (TCO/Capex/O

Stakeholder engagement (technical &商业)

Analytical storytelling with data

Executive-level communication

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Optical AI Product Line Manager to join the team of a leader in the Telecommunications & Hardware space.

This role will shape the strategy and commercialization of optical networking solutions that support AI-driven connectivity needs. You will partner with North American service providers to develop account-specific solutions, strengthen the business case for deployment, and influence the broader product direction. The position sits at the intersection of product strategy, technical solutioning, and commercial engagement, with close collaboration across engineering, R&D, and customer-facing teams.

Location: Remote

Compensation: $138,900 – $221,900 annually

Responsibilities

• Own the strategy and commercialization of optical networking solutions for AI connectivity.
• Lead engagements with North American service providers to monetize their optical networks.
• Develop account-specific solution plans that align with customer business cases.
• Translate customer insights into the product roadmap and solution portfolio.
• Collaborate with engineering and R&D teams to prioritize roadmap features.
• Establish the organization as a reference point for AI connectivity within defined customer accounts.
• Drive technical engagements on networking for AI workloads with various stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of optical and IP networking architectures across DCI, metro, and long-haul domains.
• Familiarity with AI cluster networking, including distributed training traffic patterns and inference latency.
• Proven ability to build customer business cases, including TCO and capex/opex analysis.
• Experience engaging with both technical and commercial stakeholders in service provider environments.
• Strong analytical skills to support strategic narratives with data.
• Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences, including executives.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives in a cross-functional environment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation time.
• Compliance with laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.