Director System Application Engineering

Key Responsibilities

• Lead System Applications Engineering Function
• Build, scale, and lead a high-performing team of system and applications engineers supporting global customer deployments
• Own Customer Technical Engagement Strategy
• Serve as the executive-level technical interface for key customers, shaping system-level solutions and long-term partnerships
• Drive End-to-End System Integration Excellence
• Oversee bring-up, validation, and optimization of optical links across AI networking platforms, ensuring performance, reliability, and interoperability
• Resolve Complex System-Level Challenges
• Lead cross-functional efforts to debug and resolve issues spanning optical modules, DSPs, switches, and system architectures
• Influence Product & Roadmap Decisions
• Translate customer insights and field learnings into actionable input for product, engineering, and go-to-market strategies
• Define scalable processes & best practices
• Establish standards for customer support, escalation management, system validation, and deployment methodologies
• Lead Customer Demos & Strategic Engagements
• Oversee high-impact evaluations, proof-of-concepts, and design wins with leading AI infrastructure customers
• Stay Ahead of Industry Trends
• Guide internal strategy by maintaining deep expertise in AI networking, optical interconnects, and next-generation switch architectures

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 10+ years of experience in optical systems, networking, or high-speed interconnects, with progressive leadership responsibility
• Deep expertise in optical transceivers, DSP architectures, and high-speed link performance and debugging
• Strong understanding of AI networking systems, including 51.2T and next-generation switch architectures
• Proven track record of leading customer-facing engineering teams and delivering complex system deployments
• Experience with 800G optical modules required; 1.6T and next-generation systems strongly preferred
• Background at a leading optical transceiver, networking systems, or hyperscale infrastructure company highly preferred
• Exceptional communication and executive presence, with the ability to influence both technical and business stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to operate cross-functionally and drive alignment across engineering, product, and commercial teams