Sales Director, Data Center Connectivity

Imagine what you could do here! At ColorChip, great ideas quickly become great products, services, and customer experiences. Bring passion and dedication to your job, and there's no telling what you could accomplish.ColorChip’s Data Center Connectivity team is seeking a visionary Sales Director to lead the go-to-market strategy and drive revenue growth for our industry-leading portfolio of optical and electrical connectivity solutions. As hyperscale data centers race to meet the demands of AI, cloud, and high-performance computing workloads, our products sit at the center of this transformation — spanning 400G, 800G, and next-generation 1.6 Terabit interconnect technologies.In this role, you will own the commercial relationship with tier-1 data center operators, cloud service providers, co-location providers, and OEM partners. You will define and execute sales strategies, build executive-level relationships, and deliver results across a complex, technically sophisticated customer base. You thrive at the intersection of deep technology and business acumen, and you are energized by competing and winning in a market that evolves at an extraordinary pace.  Key Qualifications–      10+ years of progressive sales or business development experience in the data center, semiconductor, or networking industry, with at least 5 years in a senior individual contributor or leadership capacity.–      Deep, current knowledge of high-speed interconnect technologies — including optical transceivers, active optical cables (AOC), direct attach copper/fiber (DAC/ACC/AEC), and electrical backplane solutions at 400G, 800G, and 1.6T line rates.–      Demonstrated track record of closing large, complex enterprise or hyperscaler deals with multi-million-dollar annual contract values.–      Experience engaging directly with hyperscale cloud operators (e.g., co-location providers, content networks, enterprise cloud builders) and navigating long, multi-stakeholder sales cycles.–      Strong technical fluency across relevant standards bodies and ecosystems: IEEE 802.3, OIF, OSFP, QSFP-DD800, CMIS, and PAM4/DSP signal integrity.–      Proven ability to build and manage relationships at the C-suite, VP of Engineering, and procurement levels simultaneously.–      Experience working cross-functionally with product marketing, systems engineering, and operations teams to shape product roadmap and go-to-market execution.–      Outstanding written, verbal, and executive presentation skills; able to simplify complex technical concepts for business audiences.–      Willingness to travel up to 50% to engage with customers, attend industry events, and collaborate with internal teams globally.  DescriptionAs Sales Director, Data Center Connectivity, you will be the primary commercial owner for ColorChip’s optical and electrical interconnect portfolio within the data center end market. Your responsibilities will span strategy, execution, and leadership: Revenue Ownership & Commercial Strategy–      Own and deliver the annual revenue plan for data center connectivity products — including pluggable optical modules, passive and active copper assemblies, and co-packaged optics solutions targeting speeds from 100G to 1.6T.–      Develop and execute account-level sales strategies for a defined set of strategic and growth accounts, including hyperscalers, NEMs, and data center operators.–      Build multi-year account plans with clear milestones, win strategies, competitive positioning, and resource requirements. Customer Engagement & Relationship Management–      Establish and maintain executive-level relationships with key decision-makers including Chief Technology Officers, VP Infrastructure, and Head of Procurement at target accounts.–      Represent ColorChip at industry events, standards bodies, and customer executive briefings, articulating the long-term roadmap and technical differentiation of our connectivity portfolio.–      Serve as the voice of the customer internally — capturing requirements, competitive intelligence, and market signals to inform product strategy and prioritization. Technical & Solution Selling–      Lead solution-based sales engagements that span optical transceivers (QSFP-DD, OSFP, SFP-DD, CPO), electrical PCB and cable assemblies, and integrated connectivity platforms.–      Work alongside application engineering and field applications teams to develop proof-of-concept engagements, qualification test plans, and design-win programs.–      Clearly articulate ColorChip’s value proposition across power consumption, signal integrity, thermal performance, reliability, and total cost of ownership relative to competing alternatives. Forecasting, Pipeline & Business Operations–      Maintain rigorous pipeline hygiene and deliver accurate quarterly and annual bookings forecasts.–      Collaborate with operations, supply chain, and finance to align customer demand signals with capacity planning and product availability.–      Develop pricing strategies and negotiate commercial terms within defined guidelines to maximize profitability while preserving competitive positioning.  Education & Experience–      Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Business, or a related technical field required.–      Master's degree (MBA or MS in Engineering) strongly preferred.–      Equivalent industry experience demonstrating a combination of deep technical knowledge and commercial achievement will be considered.  Additional Requirements–      Passion for technology and a genuine curiosity about how next-generation data center architectures are shaping the future of computing.–      High degree of self-motivation, entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.–      Experience working in a matrixed organization, influencing outcomes across engineering, product, and operations without direct authority.–      Familiarity with data center architecture trends including AI/ML cluster interconnect, 800G/1.6T Ethernet, InfiniBand, co-packaged optics, and silicon photonics is a strong advantage.–      Strong ethical standards and commitment to Apple's values of inclusion, privacy, and environmental responsibility.  Pay & BenefitsAt ColorChip, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a competitive range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range is attractive, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. In addition, performance-based commission and MBO awards are included in the package.