Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Ciena is a global leader in high-speed connectivity, committed to a people-first approach. They are seeking a Product Line Manager to drive innovation strategy and growth of the IP Routing portfolio, focusing on the integration of AI in Service Provider networks.
Responsibilities
- Identify and define differentiated IP routing solution opportunities using qualitative and quantitative analysis
- Engage global Service Providers to understand network evolution, AI-driven operational models, and new service constructs
- Lead proof-of-concept initiatives to validate solutions and drive customer adoption
- Align routing innovation requirements with the broader Ciena portfolio roadmap in partnership with PLM peers
- Translate market and innovation needs into detailed product requirements and multi-year roadmaps with engineering teams
- Provide thought leadership on AI-enabled routing capabilities, operational efficiency, and new revenue models
- Produce roadmap narratives, whitepapers, presentations, and value propositions to support customer engagement and sales enablement
Skills
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred
- Experience: 7+ years of experience in Product Management or technical strategy leadership within routing, networking, telecommunications, or cloud infrastructure
- Application of IP routing protocols including OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, MPLS, Segment Routing (SR-MPLS and SRv6), multicast, QoS, and VXLAN
- Background in Service Provider network architectures including core, metro, access, edge, cloud, and data center interconnect environments
- Application of AI-driven networking use cases such as predictive analytics, anomaly detection, automated optimization, intent-based operations, and traffic forecasting
- Collaboration across product teams and portfolios to drive alignment and cohesive solution delivery
- Communication of technical and strategic concepts to audiences ranging from engineering teams to executive leadership
- Experience defining routing solutions or AI- and automation-driven network capabilities
- Track record of defining innovative solutions and driving adoption within Service Provider organizations
- Direct engagement with Tier 1 or Tier 2 Service Providers on automation or AI-focused initiatives
- Familiarity with machine learning analytics platforms, data pipelines, telemetry systems, and cloud-native architectures
Benefits
- Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus
- 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.