Director of Product, Calix Cloud Platform AI as a Service

Calix is a leading global provider of cloud and software platforms, systems, and services that enable service providers to deliver unified access networks and smart premises systems to their subscribers. Our mission is to empower service providers of all sizes to simplify their business, excite their subscribers, and grow their value.

Calix is are seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Product to lead the development and execution of our Calix Cloud Platform AI as a Service offerings. This role encompasses oversight of Calix AI Agents, Calix Custom AI Agents, Agent Guardrails, and other AI-driven initiatives within our cloud platform. A critical aspect of this role is the deep integration and enhancement of our existing cloud applications—Calix Operations Cloud, Calix Marketing Cloud, and Calix Support Cloud—with advanced AI capabilities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in AI technologies, product management, and extensive knowledge of verticalized SaaS based cloud applications preferably in telecommunications or internet service provider industry. Additionally, the candidate should possess expertise in ML Model Development, Model Serving & Deployment, Security & Compliance, Model Monitoring and Observability, ML Testing Benchmarks and Evaluation, and Ethical AI and Bias Mitigation. A proven track record of bringing innovative products to market, strong business acumen, and the ability to understand what drives value and how to monetize are essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Product Strategy & Vision
  • Develop and articulate a clear product vision and roadmap for Calix's AI as a Service offerings, closely aligning with our cloud applications:
    • Calix Operations Cloud: Enhance network operations through AI-driven insights and automation.
    • Calix Marketing Cloud: Leverage AI to personalize subscriber engagement and marketing strategies.
    • Calix Support Cloud: Implement AI solutions to improve customer support and service experiences.
  • Identify market opportunities and define product strategies that leverage AI to meet customer needs and drive business growth across all cloud applications.
  • Business Acumen: Understand market dynamics, customer pain points, and competitive landscape to drive value creation and monetization strategies.
  • Develop pricing models and go-to-market strategies that maximize product adoption and profitability.
  • Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscape to inform product direction.
• Product Development & Management
  • Drive product requirements in collaborations with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and launch AI products, including AI Agents and Agent Guardrails, that integrate seamlessly with Calix's cloud platforms.
  • Model Development: Oversee the development of AI/ML models, ensuring they meet performance and accuracy requirements.
  • Model Serving & Deployment: Establish the requirements for managing the deployment of AI models into production environments, optimizing for scalability and reliability.
  • Monitoring and Observability: Drive operational readiness requirements for monitoring tools and practices to track model performance and health in real-time.
  • Ensure products meet high standards of quality, performance, and user experience across all services.
• Integration & Collaboration
  • Work closely with engineering and product teams responsible for Calix Operations Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and Support Cloud to integrate AI functionalities.
  • Develop strategies for AI deployment that enhance the capabilities of each cloud service, driving increased value for customers.
  • Coordinate with the platform team to ensure compatibility and optimal performance of AI services within the Calix Cloud ecosystem.
• Security & Compliance
  • Security & Compliance: Ensure all AI solutions comply with industry standards and regulations, implementing security best practices to protect data and intellectual property.
  • Establish and enforce policies around data privacy and protection in AI applications.
• Quality Assurance & Evaluation
  • ML Testing Benchmarks and Evaluation: Work with test teams to develop and implement testing frameworks to assess model performance, accuracy, and reliability.
  • Conduct regular evaluations and audits to ensure models meet predefined benchmarks.
• Ethical AI Practices
  • Ethical AI and Bias Mitigation: Promote the development of fair and unbiased AI models.
  • Implement strategies and guardrails to detect and mitigate bias in AI systems.
  • Ensure transparency and explainability in AI decision-making processes.
• Customer & Market Engagement
  • Engage with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders to gather feedback and requirements specific to each cloud application.
  • Translate customer insights into actionable product features and enhancements for AI services within Operations, Marketing, and Support Clouds.
  • Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to support go-to-market strategies and drive customer adoption of AI-enhanced cloud services.
• Operational Excellence
  • Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and inform decision-making across all AI initiatives.
  • Implement best practices in product management processes and tools, tailored to the needs of each cloud application.
  • Manage budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation effectively.

Qualifications:

• Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field. MS/MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience
  • Minimum of 10 years of product management experience, with at least 5 years in a role focused on AI/ML.
  • Proven experience in AI, machine learning, or related technologies.
  • Demonstrated success in launching and scaling cloud-based AI services.
  • Extensive knowledge of Verticalized SaaS products in areas of Operations, Marketing, and Customer Support, or similar cloud-based platforms in the networking/telecommunications industry.
  • Experience with agent-based systems and implementing guardrails for AI safety and compliance.
  • Business Acumen: Proven ability to develop monetization strategies, pricing models, and understand financial metrics that drive business value.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Skills & Competencies
  • Model Development: Product expertise in developing machine learning models, including deep learning and natural language processing.
  • Model Serving & Deployment: Product Infrastructure proficiency in deploying models in cloud environments and ensuring they are scalable and efficient.
  • Security & Compliance: Strong understanding of data security principles, compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and best practices in AI security.
  • Monitoring and Observability: Product experience with tools and methodologies for monitoring AI systems and diagnosing issues proactively.
  • ML Testing Benchmarks and Evaluation: Product experience in design and integration of testing frameworks to evaluate model performance against industry benchmarks.
  • Ethical AI and Bias Mitigation: Knowledge of ethical considerations in AI, including techniques for detecting and mitigating bias.
  • Business Acumen: Strong understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and the ability to translate them into profitable business strategies.
  • Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Deep understanding of AI technologies, trends, and ethical considerations.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
  • Proficient in product management tools and methodologies.
  • Ability to translate technical concepts into business value propositions and make data-driven decisions to drive profitability.
  • Willingness to Travel: Ability to travel as required (up to 25%).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the telecommunications or networking industry.
• Familiarity with the broadband service provider market.
• Proven track record of integrating AI solutions into existing cloud SaaS platforms.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance related to AI technologies and telecommunications.
• Experience with data platforms and public cloud infrastructure services.

Compensation will vary based on geographical location (see below) within the United States. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's location of residence and multiple factors, including job-related skills, experience, and education.

For more information on our benefits click here.

There are different ranges applied to specific locations. The average base pay range (or OTE range for sales) in the U.S. for the position is listed below.

San Francisco Bay Area Only:

212,800.00 - 362,300.00 USD Annual

All Other Locations:

185,000.00 - 315,000.00 USD Annual