Global Innovation And Technology ManagerAFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $3B in revenue, and employ approximately 12,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset.
We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.What We Offer:Flexible time off policy401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programsExcellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy optionsOpportunities for career advancement with an industry leading company!Position Overview:The Global Innovation and Technology Manager is a highly seasoned, global technical leader responsible for engaging with advanced customer engineering teams and translating emerging technologies into scalable, differentiated solutions. This role operates at the intersection of innovation, customer engagement, and ecosystem development - driving adoption of next-generation connectivity, optical, and networking technologies across AFL's strategic accounts and partners.The position requires deep technical credibility, strong consultative engagement skills, and the ability to rapidly conceptualize and position solutions aligned to customer pain points and future-state architectures within a 3–5 year innovation horizon.Responsibilities:Advanced Customer Technical EngagementBuild trust and technical credibility quickly within target accountsEngage directly with highly technical customer stakeholders (engineering, architecture, R&D) to understand complex system requirementsUncover key pain points, performance gaps, and future-state needs through strong listening and probing skillsRapidly conceptualize and translate customer requirements into viable solution conceptsSolutions Architecture & Ecosystem IntegrationLead customer engagement across AFL's emerging technology ecosystem including; 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 UEC, InfiniBand (IB), LPO, and optical circuit switching.Design integrated solutions that align with evolving data center and AI infrastructure demands.Strategic Technical PartnershipsDevelop and support strategic partnerships with key ecosystem players (e.g., NVIDIA, Polatis, CPO/OBO initiatives)Collaborate with partners to co-develop and position joint solutionsMaintain strong awareness of partner roadmaps and alignment opportunitiesGlobal Solutions Engineering EnablementAct as a senior technical resource and escalation point for regional Solution EngineersSupport complex opportunities, customer workshops, and technical validationsEnable field teams with solution frameworks, messaging, and technical guidanceTechnology Thought LeadershipEstablish 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 discussionsProvide forward-looking insights on technology trends and adoption pathwaysInnovation & Market AlignmentSupport alignment of emerging technologies within a 3–5 year adoption windowProvide feedback to product management and innovation teams based on customer engagementHelp shape solution strategy based on real-world customer demand and ecosystem evolutionQualifications:Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience; advanced degree is a plus10+ years of experience in solutions engineering, systems architecture, or advanced technical sales within a highly technical data center environmentDemonstrated expertise in optical networking, data center infrastructure, or high-speed connectivity solutionsStrong understanding of emerging technologies including AI data center architectures and next-generation interconnectsProven ability to engage and influence highly technical customer audiencesExceptional communication, presentation, and consultative problem-solving skillsExperience working across global teams and regionsWorking Conditions:Environment: Office-based or Remote work environment (TBD)Travel: Moderate travel (domestic and international) as needed.Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
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