What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Line Director - Optical Transceivers position at Koch?
Your Job
Smiths Interconnect, a Molex company, is seeking a Global Director of Product Line Management (PLM) to lead a high-performing global team responsible for rugged embedded fiber optic transceiver product lines serving aerospace, defense, and space markets. This role has full ownership of product line strategy and P&L performance and plays a critical role in driving profitable growth, technology leadership, and long-term value creation across mission-critical optical communications portfolios.
Our Team
You will lead a distributed Product Line Management organization and partner closely with Engineering, Sales, Operations, Finance, and Marketing to align strategy, execution, and customer value across global markets.
What You Will Do
In order to comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, this position requires applicants to either provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or be eligible to receive an export authorization (a license) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulation
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are With a strong legacy of engineering excellence, Smiths Interconnect, a Molex company, is part of Molex’s Aerospace & Defense Solutions Division and represents the Signal Technologies business unit. Smiths Interconnect delivers mission-critical connectivity solutions—including ruggedized connectors, cable assemblies, Fiber & RF, and high-reliability technologies—designed to perform in the most demanding environments. From aerospace and defense to space, medical, and industrial applications, our innovative
products enable reliability where it matters most. Join a passionate, global team helping shape the future of high-reliability interconnect solutions.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).
Smiths Interconnect, a Molex company, is seeking a Global Director of Product Line Management (PLM) to lead a high-performing global team responsible for rugged embedded fiber optic transceiver product lines serving aerospace, defense, and space markets. This role has full ownership of product line strategy and P&L performance and plays a critical role in driving profitable growth, technology leadership, and long-term value creation across mission-critical optical communications portfolios.
Our Team
You will lead a distributed Product Line Management organization and partner closely with Engineering, Sales, Operations, Finance, and Marketing to align strategy, execution, and customer value across global markets.
What You Will Do
- Own full product line P&L accountability, delivering revenue growth, gross margin expansion, and operating income targets
- Define and execute global product line strategy aligned with business objectives and long-term market opportunities
- Develop and maintain product roadmaps, business plans, and go-to-market strategies for current and next-generation products
- Identify and evaluate growth opportunities across aerospace, defense, and space segments, including new applications and adjacencies
- Lead market, customer, and competitive intelligence to guide portfolio optimization and investment decisions
- Translate customer and market requirements into differentiated, ruggedized optical solutions in partnership with Engineering
- Actively manage the full product lifecycle, from concept through launch, production, and end-of-life decisions
- Partner with Sales and Marketing to develop product positioning, messaging, pricing strategies, and sales enablement tools
- Engage directly with key customers and strategic prospects, serving as the voice of the customer across the organization
- Lead, develop, and mentor a global PLM team while strengthening organizational capability and succession
- Collaborate cross-functionally to improve execution, operational alignment, and customer outcomes
- Support strategic initiatives, including partnerships, acquisitions, and other inorganic growth opportunities
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Experience owning and managing product line P&L responsibility
- Experience leading product management or product line teams in aerospace, defense, space, or other high-reliability markets
- Working knowledge of electrical and/or optical systems used in complex, mission-critical applications
- Experience collaborating across Engineering, Sales, Operations, and Marketing to deliver business results
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally, up to 50%
- MBA and/or technical degree
- Experience with ruggedized fiber optic transceivers or optical communications technologies
- Demonstrated success developing and executing global product strategies and roadmaps
- Experience with value-based pricing and commercial strategy in engineered products
- Established customer relationships within aerospace, defense, or space markets
- Experience leading teams through growth, change, or integration following acquisitions
In order to comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, this position requires applicants to either provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or be eligible to receive an export authorization (a license) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulation
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are With a strong legacy of engineering excellence, Smiths Interconnect, a Molex company, is part of Molex’s Aerospace & Defense Solutions Division and represents the Signal Technologies business unit. Smiths Interconnect delivers mission-critical connectivity solutions—including ruggedized connectors, cable assemblies, Fiber & RF, and high-reliability technologies—designed to perform in the most demanding environments. From aerospace and defense to space, medical, and industrial applications, our innovative
products enable reliability where it matters most. Join a passionate, global team helping shape the future of high-reliability interconnect solutions.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).