Director, Product Management & Business Development

Open Light Photonics is an innovative start-up at the forefront of photonic integration, commercializing our cutting-edge heterogeneously integrated photonic platform. Join us in an exciting start-up environment with ample opportunities for growth and professional development.

Open Light is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of Product Management & Business Development to define and drive our product strategy while supporting key commercial initiatives. Based in our Santa Clara office, this role will focus on shaping product roadmaps, aligning customer requirements with Open Light’s foundry and PDK capabilities, and supporting licensing and royalty growth.

The ideal candidate will combine strong product management expertise with business acumen, bringing a customer-centric approach to defining offerings and enabling adoption of Open Light’s platform. This role requires significant cross-functional engagement with engineering, operations, sales, finance and executive leadership.

• Define and manage product roadmaps for Open Light’s silicon photonics platform, including foundry services, PDK enhancements, and IP licensing opportunities.
• Gather and prioritize customer and market requirements; translate technical needs into actionable product strategies.
• Collaborate closely with engineering to scope and deliver new features and capabilities.
• Build and maintain market models, forecasts, and competitive analyses to inform product positioning and business strategy.
• Develop financial business cases and support business model innovation around design services, licensing, and royalties.
• Support business development activities by engaging with customers and partners to expand licensing, royalty, and ecosystem opportunities.
• Create customer-facing materials that articulate product value propositions and commercial models.
• Represent Open Light at customer meetings, industry events, and conferences as a thought leader in silicon photonics integration.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Business, or related field; advanced degree (MS or MBA) preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in product management, business development, or related roles in the semiconductor, photonics, or technology platform industries.
• Strong knowledge of silicon photonics, foundry processes, or IP licensing models preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in forecasting, business case analysis, and business model development.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; able to bridge technical and business perspectives.
• Proven track record of working cross-functionally and influencing without direct authority.

• Be part of a cutting-edge startup shaping the future of integrated photonics.
• Work with a talented and collaborative team across product, engineering, and customer-facing functions.
• Competitive salary and benefits package with significant opportunity for impact and professional development.