Technical Program Manager – Photonics / AI Infrastructure
About the Role
A fast-growing deep-tech company is developing next-generation photonic technology for AI and high-performance data center applications.
We are looking for a hands-on Technical Program Manager to help take complex photonic hardware from development through prototype builds, supplier execution, manufacturing and production readiness.
This is a highly cross-functional role working across engineering, suppliers, purchasing, packaging, manufacturing and test. You will be responsible for keeping the overall program moving, identifying dependencies and risks early, and driving issues through to resolution.
What You’ll Do
- Own and maintain the integrated program plan, milestones, dependencies and critical path
- Coordinate engineering, suppliers, purchasing, manufacturing and external partners
- Track prototype builds, wafer runs, packaging, testing and qualification activities
- Identify technical, supply and schedule risks and drive mitigation plans
- Work closely with suppliers and manufacturing partners to secure commitments and resolve delivery issues
- Track long-lead components, purchase orders and program-critical deliveries
- Drive cross-functional actions and ensure owners follow through to completion
- Escalate issues that threaten program milestones and drive recovery plans
- Support the transition from R&D and prototypes toward scalable production
- Provide clear program status, priorities and risks to senior leadership
What We’re Looking For
- 5-10+ years of experience in technical program management, project management, NPI, industrialization or technical operations
- Experience working with complex hardware, ideally within semiconductor, photonics, optoelectronics, electronics, advanced packaging or a related industry
- Proven experience coordinating engineering, suppliers and manufacturing partners
- Experience taking products through prototype, NPI, qualification and/or production ramp
- Strong understanding of schedules, dependencies, critical paths, risks and technical deliverables
- Comfortable working with external suppliers, foundries, packaging partners, test houses or contract manufacturers
- Experience working with purchasing/procurement and managing long-lead items is highly valuable
- Strong technical understanding – you don’t need to be a designer, but you should be able to understand technical dependencies and their impact on delivery
- Excellent communication, organization and follow-through
The Person
This is a role for someone who enjoys making things happen.
You are comfortable working in an environment where priorities can change, information is sometimes incomplete and problems need to be solved quickly. You are persistent with follow-up, confident working with technical teams and suppliers, and comfortable escalating issues when something is putting the program at risk.
You don’t simply report on the schedule – you own it and drive it.
Location
San Jose, California or Eindhoven, Netherlands
Why Join?
You’ll have the opportunity to work at the intersection of photonics, advanced hardware and AI infrastructure, helping move breakthrough technology from development into scalable real-world production.
Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.
Sindi Ngubane