Global Innovation & Technology Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Texas.

📋 Description

• Engage with customers on advanced technical matters.

• Quickly establish trust and technical credibility within targeted accounts.

• Collaborate directly with technical customer stakeholders (engineering, architecture, R&D) to comprehend complex system requirements.

• Identify key pain points, performance gaps, and future needs through effective listening and inquiry skills.

• Swiftly conceptualize and convert customer requirements into feasible solution concepts.

• Solutions architecture and ecosystem integration.

• Lead customer interactions across AFL's emerging technology ecosystem, which includes; Connectors (EBO, MMC, SN-MT, ganged solutions), Fiber & cable technologies (MCF, HCF, advanced fiber designs), Networking & switching architectures.

• Provide expertise in: Transceiver technologies and protocol evolution, High-speed data transmission standards like UEC, InfiniBand (IB), LPO, and optical circuit switching.

• Design integrated solutions that align with the evolving demands of data center and AI infrastructure.

• Strategic technical partnerships.

• Develop and support strategic collaborations with key ecosystem players (e.g., NVIDIA, Polatis, CPO/OBO initiatives).

• Work in partnership to co-develop and position joint solutions.

• Maintain a strong awareness of partner roadmaps and alignment opportunities.

• Global solutions engineering enablement.

• Serve as a senior technical resource and escalation point for regional Solution Engineers.

• Assist with complex opportunities, customer workshops, and technical validations.

• Provide field teams with solution frameworks, messaging, and technical guidance.

• Technology thought leadership.

• Position AFL as a leader in emerging technologies through: White papers, blogs, and technical publications, Solution guides and reference architectures.

• Represent AFL at industry forums, customer briefings, and technical discussions.

• Offer forward-looking insights on technology trends and adoption pathways.

• Innovation and market alignment.

• Support the alignment of emerging technologies within a 3–5 year adoption timeframe.

• Provide feedback to product management and innovation teams based on customer interactions.

• Help shape solution strategies based on genuine customer demand and ecosystem evolution.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience; an advanced degree is advantageous.

• Over 10 years of experience in solutions engineering, systems architecture, or advanced technical sales in a highly technical data center environment.

• Proven expertise in optical networking, data center infrastructure, or high-speed connectivity solutions.

• Strong understanding of emerging technologies such as AI data center architectures and next-generation interconnects.

• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence highly technical customer audiences.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and consultative problem-solving skills.

• Experience working across global teams and regions.

🏝️ Benefits

• Flexible time off policy.

• 401K 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!