Architect, Datacenter and Communications

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Architecture Intelligence & Analysis

Maintain deep knowledge of AI platform architectures (GPUs, TPUs, custom accelerators), focusing on compute, memory, and interconnect trends that drive optical requirements, inside the datacenter, the datacenter interconnect (DCI), and the transport and telecom networks.

Track and interpret technology roadmaps from leading hyperscalers and silicon providers, assessing implications for Coherent's product portfolio.

Technology & Roadmap Alignment

Translate AI/ML infrastructure needs into optical communication requirements for bandwidth, latency, power, form factor, and packaging.

Partner with product managers, engineering, and CTO's office to influence the development of optical transceivers, co-packaged optics (CPO), optical switching systems, hollowcore/multicore fibers, coherent components and transceivers, and transport equipment.

Provide architectural insights that shape R&D priorities and guide new technology development.

Customer Engagement

Serve as a trusted technical counterpart to senior engineering leaders at hyperscale customers.

Build credibility and long-term relationships by engaging in roadmap discussions, co-design sessions, and technical reviews.

Contribute to early design-win opportunities and strengthen Coherent's position as a partner of choice.

Market Insight & Thought Leadership

Analyze industry trends, competitive developments, and customer needs to inform internal planning.

Write technical briefs, whitepapers, and presentations that communicate Coherent's role in next-generation AI and datacenter infrastructure.

Represent Coherent in key technical discussions, executive reviews, and industry forums.

Internal Collaboration

Act as a bridge between AI system architectures and Coherent's optical hardware development.

Align cross-functional stakeholders - R&D, product, business development, marketing - around customer-driven requirements.

Provide the "voice of the customer" to influence technology and product development decisions.

Education & Experience

BSEE, BSCE, or BS in Physics; Master's or PhD preferred.

10-15+ years of experience in technical leadership roles across AI infrastructure, cloud, HPC, or optical systems.

Experience working with hyperscaler engineering teams or silicon vendors.

Demonstrated ability to influence product direction, secure design wins, and communicate technical vision.

Bonus: background in photonics, packaging, or coherent optical systems; experience in vertically integrated environments.

Skills

Strong working knowledge of large language model (LLM) architectures, including scaling, memory, and interconnect bottlenecks.

Strong working knowledge of DCI and transport technologies.

Familiarity with GPU/TPU/NPU platforms and their architectural impact on optical I/O.

Broad understanding of optical interconnect technologies: PAM4, CPO, optical circuit switch...