Solutions Architect - Standards

3M; Saint Paul (MN); Remote; USD 188,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

3M is seeking a Solutions Architect - Standards to collaborate with global teams and shape interconnect standards. You will lead technical contributions and draft specifications, translating industry activity into actionable input for product teams and marketing.

The role involves building trusted partnerships with hyperscale customers and MSAs, and developing demos to showcase 3M EBO capabilities for data centers. Remote-friendly with domestic travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start).
• Five (5) years of experience with optical interconnect, co-packaged optics (CPO), or data center connectivity technologies.
• Experience in industry standards organizations or MSAs (e.g., OIF, IEC, IEEE).
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical/Photonics Engineering, or related field (preferred).
• Direct experience as contributor/editor/chair within standards bodies (OIF, IEC, IEEE 802.3).
• Strong technical communication, customer focus, self-starting, relationship-building, collaboration.
• Knowledge of expanded beam optics, fiber-optic connector/ferrule design, high-speed SerDes, and co-packaged/pluggable optical modules.
• Experience with system architecture and optical interconnect integration for AI/ML infra.

Responsibilities

• Representing 3M in optical interconnect standards organizations (IEEE, IEC, OIF, APC, EBO MSA).
• Leading and authoring technical contributions, implementation agreements, and draft specifications.
• Translating standards activity into input for 3M product and technology teams.
• Building partnerships with hyperscale data center customers, vendors, and MSAs.
• Creating conceptual demos and supporting marketing initiatives for EBO capabilities.

Skills

Optical interconnect

CPO (co-packaged optics)

Data center connectivity

Technical communication

Customer focus

Self-starting

Relationship building

Collaboration

System architecture

AI/ML infrastructure

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Remote

Remote - Washington

Remote - Texas

Remote - Minnesota

Full time

R01172976

Job Description:

Solutions Architect - Standards

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a diversity of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As a Solutions Architect - Standards, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Representing 3M in optical interconnect standards organizations such as IEEE, IEC, OIF, APC, EBO MSA, and others.

• Leading and authoring technical contributions, implementation agreements, and draft specifications within these bodies — including serving as an editor or working-group contributor.

• Translating standards activity and ecosystem direction into actionable input for 3M product and technology teams and translating 3M technical capabilities into compelling standards proposals.

• Building trusted, side-by-side technical partnerships with hyperscale data center customers, vendors, and MSA members.

• Building conceptual demos and supporting technical marketing initiatives that showcase 3M EBO capabilities to hyperscale and datacenter audiences.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start)

• Five (5) years of experience working with optical interconnect, co-packaged optics (CPO), or data center connectivity technologies in a private, public, government or military environment.

• Experience participating in, or contributing to, industry standards organizations or multi-source agreements (e.g., OIF, IEC, IEEE, MSAs).

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical/Photonics Engineering, or a related technical field from an accredited institution

• Direct experience as a contributor, editor, or chair within OIF, IEC, IEEE 802.3, or an optical connectivity MSA

• Skills include strong technical communication, customer focused, self-starting, relationship building, innovation, collaboration

• Working knowledge of expanded beam optics, fiber-optic connector and ferrule design, high-speed SerDes, and co-packaged / pluggable optical modules.

• Direct experience engaging with system architecture and optical interconnect integration for AI/ML infrastructure.

Work location:

Remote, US.

Travel: May include up to 30% domestic and international travel

Relocation: May be authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Supporting Your Well-being

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $188,251 - $230,084, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 10/30/2026 To 11/29/2026 Or until filled

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.