Senior Director, Innovation Incubation

Equinix•Toronto, ON

14d

About The Position

Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, shortening the path to connectivity to enable the innovations that enrich our work, life and planet. A place where tech thinkers and future builders turn bold ideas into breakthrough experiences, we welcome your unique perspective. Help us challenge assumptions, uncover bias, and remove barriers—because progress starts with fresh ideas. You’ll find belonging, purpose, and a team that welcomes you—because when you feel valued, you’re empowered to do your best work. Senior Director, Enterprise Software Architecture & Engineering – Innovation Incubation Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, shortening the path to connectivity to enable the innovations that enrich our work, life and planet. A place where bold ideas are welcomed, human connection is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to shape their future. A leadership role at Equinix means driving conversations, inspiring teams with vision and purpose, and shaping the future of innovation. You are the strategic connector, leading change by bridging diverse ideas and fostering collaboration across all levels of the organization to achieve transformative results. Role summary We are seeking a Senior Director, Software Architecture & Engineering to lead the incubation and development of new software products that prepare Equinix’s global digital infrastructure for the next generation of advanced computing, including quantum computing systems. This role sits at the intersection of product incubation, software architecture, and engineering execution. It is accountable for moving ideas from concept to pilot and into scalable platforms—whether built internally, delivered through partners, or enabled through ecosystem collaboration. This is not a traditional research role and not a standard enterprise operations role. It offers the opportunity to shape how emerging compute technologies are deployed at global scale, combining innovation, architecture, and execution in a single senior leadership position.

Requirements

Senior leadership experience in software architecture and engineering within large‑scale enterprise software, cloud, or digital infrastructure environments.
Proven experience incubating new products or platforms from early concept through pilot and into scaled delivery, ideally in a start-up 0-1 environment
Experience with emerging or advanced computing technologies; experience in AI-native networking / data centers, hybrid cloud orchestration, power / energy systems or quantum computing engineering is essential, ideally in digital infrastructure
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, simplify complexity, and operate effectively in ambiguity.
Strong intellect with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead Product Incubation for Quantum‑Ready Infrastructure
Own the incubation of software‑led products and platforms that enable Equinix’s digital infrastructure to support quantum computing systems and services.
Drive early‑stage pilots and minimum viable products (MVPs), with a focus on practical deployment within 12–24 months.
Define product purpose, success measures, and clear transition paths from incubation into scalable platforms or commercial offerings.
Balance innovation with operational readiness, security, resilience, and long‑term scalability.
Set Architecture & Engineering Direction for Innovation
Establish architectural direction for complex, distributed software systems supporting advanced and emerging compute workloads.
Ensure designs align with enterprise standards while remaining flexible to support evolving technologies and partners.
Guide teams toward modern, efficient engineering practices and clear, outcome‑focused delivery.
Influence Senior Stakeholders
Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across Digital & Innovation, Product, Infrastructure, and Operations.
Translate complex technology concepts into clear business narratives that support strategic decisions.
Drive alignment across global teams, portfolios, and regions.
Deliver Programs & Manage Investment
Own portfolio‑level planning, delivery, and risk management across incubation engineering initiatives.
Set objectives, priorities, and success metrics for teams and programs.
Contribute to budget planning and manage investment trade‑offs across pilots, partnerships, and internal development.
Build the Ecosystem
Lead strategic engagement with technology partners, cloud providers, and emerging ecosystem players.
Evaluate build‑versus‑partner approaches and ensure seamless integration with Equinix platforms.
Represent Equinix in relevant industry forums and innovation networks.
Lead and Grow High‑Impact Teams
Lead and develop directors, managers, architects, and engineers across multiple locations.
Build succession plans and develop future‑ready capabilities.
Foster a culture of curiosity, accountability, collaboration, and inclusion.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Program: An Employee Assistance program is available to all employees.
US Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in health, life, disability and voluntary plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You and Equinix may contribute to a retirement plan to help you plan for your financial future. - Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: You will receive an accrued amount of PTO each pay period along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge.
Canada Core Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in healthcare coverage that is designed to complement the provincial healthcare system, along with life, disability and optional benefit plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You may also enroll in Equinix-sponsored retirement or savings plans: Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), Group Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Plan (TSFA). - Vacation and Paid Holidays: Equinix offers both vacation and personal time, along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge.

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