Director of Product Management

Summary

Applied Optoelectronics Inc. (AOI) is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced optical and Radio Frequency (RF) products, including components, modules, and equipment. AOI's products are the building blocks for broadband access networks worldwide, where they are used in the internet data center, CATV broadband, telecom, and FTTH markets. AOI supplies both customized and OEM/ODM components and equipment in all four of these markets. In addition to its corporate headquarters, wafer fab, and advanced engineering and production facilities in Sugar Land, TX, AOI has an R&D lab in Atlanta, Georgia, and engineering and manufacturing facilities in Taipei, Taiwan, and Ningbo, China.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Product Management to lead the development and oversight of our CATV software solutions, focusing on element management and remote management and control systems. This leadership role requires extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, particularly in CATV, along with a proven ability to drive product strategy and manage cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and communicate the long-term vision and strategic roadmap for broadband access software products, aligning with organizational goals and market demands.

• Business Leadership: Create and implement a SW monetization strategy for the broadband access business unit.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams—including engineering, sales, marketing, and customer support—to drive product initiatives from conception to market launch.

• Customer Engagement: Serve as a liaison for customers, working directly with them to gather requirements, provide updates, and address concerns throughout the product lifecycle. Facilitate discussions to understand customer needs for integration and customization.

• Integration Management: Lead efforts to assist customers in integrating software solutions into their existing systems, ensuring a smooth deployment and ongoing support. Work closely with engineering teams to develop integration strategies that meet customer specifications.

• Program Oversight: Manage the entire product lifecycle, ensuring effective execution of software development projects, adherence to timelines, and budget management.

• Go-to-Market and Sales Support: Develop go-to-market strategies, including positioning, pricing, and distribution plans. Create product collateral, presentations, and training materials to support sales and marketing efforts. Provide technical expertise and product knowledge to sales teams, partners, and customers.

• Market Analysis: Lead market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and potential areas for innovation in element management and remote management/control solutions.

• User-Centric Design: Work closely with engineering to ensure software interfaces are user-friendly and meet the needs of diverse customer segments.

• Performance Metrics: Establish and monitor KPIs to evaluate product performance, making data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement and innovation.

• Compliance & Best Practices: Ensure that all products comply with relevant regulatory standards and industry best practices, particularly in security, reliability, and performance.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.

• Experience: 8 years of experience in product management and program management within the telecommunications or software industry. Experience with CATV systems a plus.

• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of element management systems (EMS), remote management and control protocols, and current CATV technologies.

• Customer Interface Skills: Proven ability to engage effectively with customers to gather feedback, address integration needs, and ensure satisfaction with product solutions.

• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

• Project Management: Expertise in project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, etc.) and tools (e.g., JIRA, Trello).

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences and senior stakeholders.

• Analytical Mindset: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a strategic, data-driven approach to decision-making.

Location

This position will report in person to our Duluth office in Atlanta, Georgia.

Why AOI?

In addition to a competitive salary, AOI offers

• Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needs
• Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals
• Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year
• Relocation package available within US
• Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US)

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