Sales & Business Development Lead (VP / Director Level)

Job DescriptionJob Title: North America Sales & Business Development Lead (VP / Director Level)Location: California, USA (remote with travel)Reports to: Founder / CEOEmployment Type: Full-timeAbout the RoleWe are seeking an experienced and well-connected North America Sales & BD Lead to build and lead our direct sales presence in the U.S. market from the ground up. You will be the first local hire, reporting directly to the founder, and will have full ownership of developing a direct sales strategy, acquiring new customers, and eventually building a local team.This is a 0→1 opportunity in the fast-growing optical transceiver market, backed by a company with mass production capabilities for 800G and 1.6T modules and a Malaysia factory to support tariff‑friendly supply to North America.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and execute the North America direct sales strategy, focusing on NeoCloud providers, traditional data center operators, and AI infrastructure companies (not targeting the Magnificent Seven hyperscalers).Leverage existing relationships to introduce and qualify optical transceiver products into target accounts.Map decision‑making chains and build strong relationships with key stakeholders (procurement, network engineering, hardware infrastructure).Represent the company at customer meetings, industry events, and technical discussions.Collaborate with internal R&D, product, and supply chain teams to align product roadmaps with customer needs.Recruit, mentor, and lead a future local sales/FA team as the business grows.Provide market intelligence on pricing, competitors (Innolight, Eoptolink, Coherent, etc.), and emerging opportunities.QualificationsIndustry experience: Proven background in optical transceivers / modules, with a strong understanding of high‑speed products (400G/800G/1.6T) and data center applications.Customer network: Direct, verifiable relationships with NeoCloud, AI infrastructure, or mid‑tier data center accounts in North America. Demonstrated success in product qualification and sales into these accounts.Sales/BD experience: At least 8–10 years in sales, account management, or business development within the optical or broader data center ecosystem.Track record: Experience driving 0→1 market entry or building a direct sales channel from scratch is highly preferred.Language & location: U.S. citizen (Chinese‑American preferred, Caucasian American acceptable). Based in or near California; willing to travel.Communication: Fluent in English (native/professional). Mandarin is a plus for effective communication with the founder.Compensation & BenefitsTotal cash package: base salary + performance bonusLong‑term incentives: Equity / long‑term incentives negotiable for the right candidateAdditional benefits: TBDCompany DescriptionCompany Name: Confidential (a leading Chinese optical module manufacturer)Industry: Optical Communications / Data Center Interconnects / High‑speed TransceiversHeadquarters: Shenzhen, ChinaGlobal Footprint: R&D and manufacturing in Shenzhen and Nanchang (China); mass‑production facility in Malaysia (tariff‑friendly for North America)Employees: 800+ (including production staff)Who We AreWe are an established and fast‑growing optical module company that has successfully supplied telecom and data center customers worldwide. With over a decade of experience, we have built a strong reputation for high‑quality, cost‑competitive optical transceivers.Product PortfolioMass production: 800G, 1.6T optical modulesOther products: 400G, 200G, and 100G transceivers for data center and telecom applicationsTechnology focus: High‑speed optics, silicon photonics (under development)Why Join Us NowWe have made North America our #1 strategic priority for the coming years. All R&D, supply chain, and product resources are being aligned to win in this market. Unlike many Chinese peers focusing only on hyperscalers, we target the fast‑growing NeoCloud and mid‑tier data center segment, where we see significant whitespace.Our Malaysia factory allows us to offer competitive pricing and reliable delivery while mitigating tariff risks. With 800G/1.6T already in mass production, we are ready to scale.Our CultureWe are a flat, founder‑led organization that values speed, ownership, and results. You will have direct visibility to top leadership, minimal bureaucracy, and the autonomy to build a business from scratch.