The successful candidate will operate at the intersection of IP networking, Optical networking, AI infrastructure, automation, silicon photonics, and next-generation interconnect technologies. As AI workloads drive unprecedented demand for scale, performance, efficiency, and connectivity, this individual will help Nokia define how architectures evolve and where new opportunities emerge across packet, optical, compute, component, and software ecosystems.
This role is intended for a recognized industry leader who can influence customers, partners, product organizations, research teams, and executive stakeholders while helping position Nokia as a trusted advisor to hyperscalers, cloud providers, AI infrastructure operators, and digital infrastructure leaders.
Strategic Technology Leadership
Serve as the senior technology strategist for Nokia’s Americas AI & Cloud business.
Partner with executive leadership to define long-term technology strategy, market positioning, investment priorities, and differentiated value propositions.
Shape Nokia’s vision for converged architectures supporting AI factories, hyperscale cloud infrastructure, distributed inferencing, and next-generation data center ecosystems.
Identify emerging market transitions and technology inflection points that can create new value for Nokia and its customers.
IP + Optical Convergence Strategy
Drive strategic thinking around the evolution and convergence of IP and Optical networking technologies.
Develop architectural frameworks that maximize the combined value of Nokia’s IP, Optical, data center networking, components, and automation capabilities.
Future Architecture & Innovation
Evaluate emerging technologies and architecture transitions, including co-packaged optics (CPO), linear pluggable optics (LPO), near-packaged optics (NPO), silicon photonics, coherent pluggables, optical circuit switching, AI fabrics, scale-up and scale-out connectivity, high-performance data center interconnect, and next-generation interconnect architectures.
Assess where value and control points may shift across systems, components, photonics, silicon, software, and operations, and translate those shifts into strategic recommendations.
Influence internal technology roadmaps, strategic partnerships, ecosystem engagement, research priorities, and investment decisions.
Executive Customer & Ecosystem Engagement
Build trusted relationships with customer CTOs, Distinguished Engineers, Fellows, Chief Architects, and executive/key decision-makers.
Lead strategic discussions on network evolution, AI infrastructure, architecture strategy, component and interconnect choices, and future technology adoption.
Facilitate executive briefings, architecture workshops, innovation sessions, and joint technology roadmaps with priority customers.
Engage relevant silicon, photonics, compute, systems, and software ecosystem partners to inform Nokia’s strategy and customer value proposition.
Business & Portfolio Strategy
Develop customer-specific technology strategies that connect long-term business objectives with Nokia’s current and future capabilities.
Support transformational opportunities across hyperscale, cloud, AI infrastructure, colocation, and digital infrastructure accounts.
Identify opportunities for new offerings, reference architectures, partnerships, and go-to-market models.
Organizational Leadership
Mentor technical leaders, architects, systems engineers, and sales teams without duplicating existing CTO, architecture, or Systems Engineering management responsibilities.
Required Qualifications:
12+ years of senior technical leadership experience in networking, cloud infrastructure, telecommunications, optical networking, semiconductors, photonics, data center systems, or a related technology field.
Recognized industry authority with deep expertise spanning multiple technology domains and a record of shaping strategy beyond current product portfolios.
Demonstrated expertise in IP and Optical networking architectures, including their use in cloud, data center, and AI infrastructure environments.
Strong understanding of hyperscale architectures, AI fabrics, data center interconnect, network automation, and the drivers of large-scale infrastructure.
Working knowledge of emerging optical interconnect approaches such as CPO, LPO, NPO, silicon photonics, coherent optics, and related component and packaging ecosystems.
Experience influencing C-level executives, senior technical leaders, product organizations, and cross-functional stakeholders in global technology companies.
Proven ability to translate complex technology trends into business strategy, customer value, market opportunities, and executive decisions.
Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and executive engagement skills.
Peferred Qualifications:
Experience working directly with hyperscalers, cloud providers, AI infrastructure companies, semiconductor or optical component companies, and large-scale digital infrastructure operators.
Depth in silicon photonics, coherent optical systems, pluggable optics, AI cluster networking, Ethernet fabrics, optical circuit switching, scale-up interconnects, or advanced packaging.
Experience influencing technology roadmaps, standards bodies, research programs, industry alliances, or strategic innovation initiatives.
Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Photonics, or a related discipline.
Industry recognition through patents, publications, standards contributions, conference leadership, fellowships, product innovation, or distinguished technical leadership roles.
Experience moving ideas from research or emerging technology assessment into product direction, customer adoption, or new business creation.
Similar Jobs
.png)
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
