GCN Director Sales Engineering

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being-on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

We, the Ciena Global CloudNetworking SalesTeam. are looking for an experienced technical business professional to direct a team of sales engineers to scale the consumption of Ciena’s products and solutions within our customers. You will lead the engineering of network solutions, and provide technology introduction, technical interface, support, and leadership into the major GCN accounts in the region.

We are looking for this person to develop customer data (in support of product strategies for driving Ciena’s future products. In the customer development efforts, the candidate will collaborate with multiple groups within Ciena to solve engineering, support, and business challenges to ensure the future achievement of goals.

As the customer-facing, SE Director for the GCN Team, the ideal candidate requires a strong understanding of current and future trends in cloud network architectures, optical and routing products, network software, and applications in the Cloud Networking ecosystem. The candidate must be able to drive technical and sales engagements ensuring Ciena’s hardware and software direction aligns with customer needs. Also, the candidate must be able to work collaboratively with key customer influencers across engineering, deployment, and executive staff to drive technology direction and product introduction. The candidate must be able to build and communicate solutions to customers, working with both internal and external organizations.

Skillful communication of Ciena’s competitive advantages in coherent transmission and data center interconnect solutions, Software, Services, and Routing & Edge offerings will be required.

This hire will support our customers in the Northwest region of North America. Travel is required to visit Global Cloud Networking (GCN) customers that are primarily based in the US, with occasional international travel, and travel to Ciena R&D headquarters in Ottawa, Canada. Proximity to our customer base is preferred but not required.

CRUCIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Leadand continue to build a Sales Engineering team that drives standard methodologies across the key SE team functions (Engineering, Support, Operations, and New Product Introduction).

· Workwith Ciena engineering, services, and operations team to deliver world-class customer experience for our customers. Serve as a key member of the Global GCN Sales Engineering team helping to define and deliver the overall strategy for customer engagement.

· Supporta strong group of SE leaders in a dynamic and fast paced environment.

· Prepareand give business strategy reviews to senior management regarding opportunity size, progress, technology gaps, and risks.

· Providesolutions sales & business development oversight for the GCN vertical -specifically focused on Ciena’s Software, Routing & Edge strategies.

· Ensureaccurate & timely reporting, forecasting, order & revenue execution.

· Developstrong & positive relationships with Ciena Operations, PLM, Software & Support teams.

· Makeindependent decisions on routine sales management activities in accordance with company policy and procedures

· Abilityto perform and communicate outside of standard business hours as needed

· Abilityto work within a globally matrixed sales team

· 25%+travel may be required

· Performother duties as assigned

SKILLS

· Knowledgeof Cloud Networking ecosystem, operations, planning, engineering, software environments & emerging applications.

· Teammanagement and project/product management experience. Outstandingpresentation skills and the ability to articulate sophisticated concepts to cross-functional audiences.

· Strongverbal and written communication skills are a must, as well as the ability to work effectively across internal and external organizations.

· Provenleadership, problem-solving, project management skills, and strong attention to detail.

· Abilityto juggle multiple priorities and make things happen in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, strong bias for action.

· Stronganalytical and quantitative skills; ability to use hard data and metrics to back the strategic narrative

· Strongand respected relationships with ICP decision-makers.

· Detailedunderstanding of cloud networks (Data Center, Edge, and Core)

· Detailedunderstanding of SDN required, along with network element APIs.

· Excellenttime management skills; planning, prioritization, execution & follow-up

· Professionalin conduct and appearance

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS

· Abilityto think strategically, innovatively, and creatively while using sound business judgment and quantitative skills.

· Abilityto build positive relationships and construct a long-term sales strategy.

· Abilityto understand and discuss technical concepts, tradeoffs, and opportunistic new ideas with technical teams.

· Mustbe able to collaborate with key industry thought leaders, Ciena R&D, Engineering and PLM

· Excellentorganizational skills due to the multifaceted nature of activities

· Superiorverbal and written communication skills

EDUCATION and RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

· Bachelor’sDegree (in Engineering, CS, EE), or equivalent experience, required

· Master’sDegree, preferred

· 12to 15+ years in the telecommunications data communications /industry technical experience including networking SW & HW, Architecture, PLM and/or Solution Development

· SalesManagement Experience preferred

· SalesEngineering and prior ICP strongly preferred

Washington State $237,500 $308,800 $380,000

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.