Product Line Manager

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
As a member of Ciena’s Interconnects Product Line Management team, this role shapes the strategy, commercialization, and lifecycle execution of high-speed optical and electrical interconnect technologies used in and around the data center. The position serves as the primary product management interface with Ciena’s technology partners while influencing how interconnect solutions are delivered across evolving customer consumption models. This role combines interconnect domain expertise with cross-functional leadership to drive market adoption and business outcomes.
How you will make an impact:
Define product strategy and multi-year roadmaps for optical and electrical interconnect technologies including co-packaged optics, near-packaged optics, advanced optical packaging, and electrical interconnects
Lead commercialization efforts for optical and electrical interfaces, associated technologies, and in-house components
Establish commercial offers and pricing structures aligned with industry norms
Develop business cases and secure approvals for new features and initiatives
Partner with marketing teams to create product positioning and customer-facing materials including presentations, data sheets, and competitive analyses
Serve as a primary interface between engineering, sales, customers, and external technology partners
Assess customer requirements, technology trends, regulatory considerations, and competitive dynamics to guide roadmap decisions
The must haves:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering
Experience: 10+ years of technical experience in telecommunications or the component industry
Application of high-speed interconnect technologies including co-packaged optics, near-packaged optics, active electrical and copper cables, coherent, direct detect, SerDes, PHYs, and electro-optics
Background in optical and electrical interconnect architectures and emerging component standards
Utilization of component commercialization models including modules, bare die, and chiplets
Experience defining commercialization requirements such as SDKs, documentation, and sales enablement frameworks
Background working with cross-functional modem, component, and R&D teams to define and prioritize features and roadmaps
Ability to gather and translate customer and internal stakeholder requirements into product specifications and proposals, including responses to RFIs and RFPs
Clear communication and presentation skills across technical and non-technical audiences
Ability to manage multiple initiatives with minimal direction in a virtual or cross-functional environment
Nice to haves:
Experience with direct detect and coherent optical technologies
Background interfacing directly with external technology partners
Prior experience in product management, solutions architecture, technical marketing, FAE, or sales engineering roles
Experience influencing component or subsystem product strategies across multiple market consumption models
Exposure to global customer engagements, trade shows, or industry forums
Willingness to travel approximately 20%, including international travel
Pay Range:
The annual pay range for this position is $114,100 - $182,300.
The annual pay range for this position in California is $158,500 - $253,300.
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Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.
Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.