Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Ciena is a global leader in high-speed connectivity, fostering a culture that prioritizes individual growth and well-being. The Product Line Manager will drive product strategy and roadmap execution for SDN controller platform applications, focusing on customer needs and market insights, while collaborating with various teams to deliver high-quality software releases.
Responsibilities
- Drive product strategy and roadmap execution for SDN controller platform applications, with a focus on network planning, operations, and optimization capabilities
- Translate customer needs, market insights, and technology trends into clear, prioritized product requirements
- Lead initiatives across Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps) and Network Digital Twin technologies to improve operational efficiency and accuracy
- Partner closely with R&D, Hardware, Navigator development, sales, and support teams to deliver differentiated, high-quality software releases
- Enable successful go-to-market execution through customer engagement, sales training, and technical presentations
- Represent the product line externally at industry events while maintaining deep awareness of competitive dynamics and emerging trends
- Use product performance metrics and customer feedback to continuously refine features and user experience
Skills
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field
- 5+ years of experience in product management or technical roles within the networking industry
- Deep expertise in IP and optical transport technologies and network planning processes
- Proven experience leading Telco software applications from concept through market adoption
- Strong background in Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps), network design, and optimization
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with agile software development teams
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and align stakeholders across functions
- Experience supporting pre-Sales and Services workflows in a global service provider environment
- Ability to leverage AI agents to augment product line management output (e.g., competitive analysis, requirements drafting, prioritization, and stakeholder communications)
- Familiarity with Network Digital Twin concepts and implementations
- Experience growing product adoption and increasing market share through data-driven decision making
- Prior customer-facing experience delivering technical workshops or executive-level presentations
- Exposure to large-scale, multi-vendor network environments
Benefits
- Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission.
- 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
- Vacation time
- Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence
Company Overview
Ciena collaborates with customers to unlock the strategic potential of their networks and and change the way they perform and compete. It was founded in 1992, and is headquartered in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, USA, with a workforce of 5001-10000 employees. Its website is http://www.ciena.com.Company H1B Sponsorship
Ciena has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 9 in 2026, 34 in 2025, 21 in 2024, 36 in 2023, 44 in 2022, 30 in 2021, 29 in 2020. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.