We are seeking a technical, relentless, results-driven VP of Product & Business Development to build our storage for AI Inference business from the ground up. You will bridge deep technical engineering with high-stakes business strategy and execution. This is a 360-degree executive leadership role, reporting to CEO. You will define the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, direct product definition, forge massive industry partnerships, and build the business development, marketing and sales organization required to dominate this space. Role is located in CA
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Strategy & GTM: Own the end-to-end commercial strategy for Lightbits’ AI inference storage solutions. Build the playbook for how we position, price, and sell into the next generation of AI data centers.
- Build the Business Organization: Recruit, mentor, and scale a world-class team of sales directors, technical account managers, and BD professionals capable of executing complex, multi-million-dollar infrastructure deals.
- Product Definition Leadership: Serve as the critical bridge between the market and Lightbits’ R&D. Translate customer pain points, architectural shifts, and market signals into actionable product requirements and roadmap priorities.
- Ecosystem Partnerships (Silicon & Software): Initiate, negotiate, and secure deep technical and commercial partnerships with key silicon vendors (e.g., Nvidia, AMD, ARM) and AI software framework providers. Ensure Lightbits is the validated, go-to backend for modern AI inference architectures.
- Penetrate NeoClouds & Enterprises: Act as the tip of the spear in identifying, engaging, and opening first-level discussions with GPU-rich NeoClouds, Managed Inference Service Providers, and massive enterprise AI deployers.
Qualifications & Experience
- Technical Foundation: A strong engineering background (B.Sc. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field) is essential. You must be able to command respect in discussions with data center engineers, AI architects, and CTOs.
- Business Acumen: An advanced business degree (MBA or equivalent) is a strong advantage. Deep, proven understanding of sales processes, business development frameworks, and executing complex GTM strategies from inception to revenue.
- Domain Expertise: Proven experience in the AI infrastructure ecosystem. A deep understanding of AI systems, high-performance networking, disaggregated LLM inference, AI storage architectures, and modern data center topologies is a massive advantage.
- Startup DNA: Extensive experience operating in fast-paced, high-growth startup environments. You know how to build from scratch, pivot when necessary, and scale operations with lean resources.
- Business & Sales Mastery: A demonstrated track record of building GTM strategies, closing complex B2B infrastructure deals, structuring OEM/strategic partnerships, and navigating long, multi-stakeholder sales cycles.
- Years of experience: up to 10 years of industry experience.
- High Energy & Driven: You possess a relentless drive to win. You are proactive, hands-on, and thrive in highly competitive, rapidly evolving markets.
- Results-Oriented: You measure success by closed deals, field deployments, and revenue generated—not just meetings held.
- Bilingual in Tech & Biz: You effortlessly switch contexts from debating inference system efficiency and optimizations with an engineering team to presenting an ROI business case to a Fortune 500 CIO.