Strategy & Partnerships Leader for AI Optical Interconnects

LightXcelerate; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Performance-based compensation

Immigration support

Job summary

LightXcelerate is seeking a hands-on Head of Strategy and Business Development to shape our growth, build industry relationships, and support fundraising. You will work directly with the founders to define strategy, positioning, partnerships, and company development in a fast-moving startup environment.

You will engage with AI chipmakers, hyperscalers, and semiconductor partners, translating technical value into compelling market narratives while managing a structured pipeline of customers and

Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in semiconductor hardware, optical communications, AI infrastructure, data centers, or related industry.
• Experience in business development, product marketing, corporate strategy, investing, consulting, or customer-facing engineering.
• Ability to understand technical products and communicate their commercial value clearly.
• Strong presentation, writing, analytical, and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable working with technical leaders, senior executives, customers, and investors.
• Highly driven, resourceful, and comfortable working in an early-stage startup.
• Able to work on-site or in a hybrid arrangement within Silicon Valley.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with AI chip companies, hyperscalers, semiconductor companies, and optical ecosystem partners
• Advance customer evaluations, strategic partnerships, and commercial opportunities
• Create compelling presentations, product messaging, and marketing materials
• Support fundraising, investor relations, and corporate development activities
• Conduct market, customer, and competitive analysis
• Help define product positioning, go-to-market strategy, and partnership priorities
• Represent LightXcelerate at customer meetings, conferences, and industry events
• Translate customer feedback into clear product and business priorities
• Build and manage a structured pipeline of customers, investors, and strategic partners

Skills

Semiconductor hardware

Optical communications

AI infrastructure

Data centers

Relationship building

Presentations

Strategic partnerships

Job description

LightXcelerate is seeking a hands-on Head of Strategy and Business Development to shape our growth, build industry relationships, and support fundraising. You will work directly with the founders to define strategy, positioning, partnerships, and company development in a fast-moving startup environment.

You will engage with AI chipmakers, hyperscalers, and semiconductor partners, translating technical value into compelling market narratives while managing a structured pipeline of customers and