Market Development Manager

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

📋 Description

• Perform ongoing technology scouting across sectors such as optical fiber, photonics, CPO, AI data center infrastructure, and related fields.

• Monitor the maturity and evolution of technology to create structured innovation roadmaps.

• Create forward-looking scenario analyses that align technology trajectories with AFL’s portfolio utilizing various frameworks (e.g., “Four Future” positioning).

• Represent AFL at key industry events and conferences, as well as lead the company's involvement in various forums like MSA, IEEE, and others.

• Develop and sustain innovation roadmaps with quarterly updates.

• Convert research findings into strategic recommendations for technology positioning and investment prioritization.

• Provide executive-ready insights to steer long-term portfolio development.

• Align long-term innovation strategies with immediate product and solution development efforts.

• Oversee the long-term technology development pipeline, maintaining a multi-horizon perspective (3-5+ years) on technologies progressing toward strategic and commercial significance for AFL.

• Identify and assess adjacent market opportunities that correspond with AFL’s capabilities.

• Conduct market sizing, competitive analysis, and assessments of strategic fit for specific technologies.

• Generate structured opportunity assessments to support investment decisions.

• Define and implement screening criteria (strategic fit, market timing, technology readiness, and profit pool potential) to ensure that Innovation and Emerging Technologies and Scale-Up resources focus on the most valuable opportunities.

• Write white papers, trend briefs, ESG-aligned insights, and market analyses.

• Position AFL as a thought leader in the industry through research-driven content.

• Build and oversee strategic technical partnerships, including MSAs, JDAs, and academic collaborations.

• Maintain visibility into the partnership pipeline and engagement tracking.

• Collaborate both internally and externally to enhance the innovation ecosystem.

• Feed the discovery process with qualified innovation candidates supported by business case summaries.

• Maintain a pipeline that aligns with strategic priorities and readiness.

• Work cross-functionally to translate insights into execution pathways.

• Monitor funnel health metrics and visibility — including pipeline volume, conversion rates by stage, and time-in-stage — reported through the IET operating cadence.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

• Over 7 years of experience in market research, innovation strategy, technology scouting, or similar roles.

• Strong analytical abilities, including market sizing and competitive analysis.

• Capability to convert technical insights into business strategies.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Preferred domain knowledge in optical communications, photonics, data center infrastructure, or related technology markets.

• Familiarity with industry standards bodies, MSAs, or multi-party technical collaborations is a plus.

🏝️ Benefits

• A hybrid in-office schedule for eligible employees.

• Flexible time-off policy.

• 401K company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar).

• Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs.

• Excellent options for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policies.

• Opportunities for career advancement with an industry-leading company!