Job Description: Senior Program Manager, Photonics
About the Role
We are seeking a Technical Program Manager to drive the productization of photonics modules. This role focuses on taking Photonics products through qualification, manufacturing readiness, and into volume production, with an emphasis on aspects such as firmware, cost, packaging, reliability, manufacturability and supply chain enablement.
As the product lead, you will coordinate across internal engineering teams, contract manufacturers, and suppliers, managing schedules, risks, and deliverables to ensure smooth ramp to production.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the transition of photonics modules from feasibility to volume production, including firmware integration and verification.
- Define and drive product requirements around firmware, cost, reliability, manufacturability, and supply chain scalability.
- Collaborate with design, firmware, packaging, test, and operations teams to ensure smooth integration of photonic devices with electrical, thermal, mechanical, and firmware subsystems.
- Manage engagement with suppliers and contract manufacturers, ensuring manufacturing processes, firmware validation, test flows, and quality systems are in place for scale.
- Oversee program schedules, risk tracking, and execution plans; escalate and resolve blockers across cross-functional teams.
- Partner with supply chain and operations teams to optimize sourcing, cost structure, and vendor capacity.
- Lead module-level qualification, including firmware and electrical/optical validation, ensuring compliance with customer and industry reliability standards.
- Act as a key point of contact for leadership updates and decision-making on product readiness.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Materials, Computer Science, or related field).
- 5 years of experience in product engineering, technical program management, or module-level product ownership in optics, semiconductors, or high-speed hardware.
- Proven track record of transitioning hardware products from design feasibility into qualified, volume-manufactured products, including firmware integration.
- Strong understanding of reliability, thermal, mechanical, packaging, firmware, and manufacturing aspects of photonic/electronic modules.
- Experience working with external suppliers and contract manufacturers on production readiness.
- Strong program management skills (planning, risk management, cross-functional leadership).
Preferred:
- Experience with optical transceiver or photonics modules
- Familiarity with cost modeling, DFx (Design for Manufacturability/Test/Reliability), and supplier qualification.
- Experience managing cross-functional engineering projects in areas including optics design, thermal management, electronics, firmware, and process engineering
