Engineering Program Manager, XRX

ZEISS Group•Dublin, CA

4d•$135,300 - $169,100

About The Position

The Engineering Program Manager leads end-to-end advanced spectacle lens development programs for a key US account, from concept through industrialization. The role supports the XRX business target and contributes to wearable vision technology where optical performance and user experience are mission-critical. It involves working with engineering and manufacturing experts on strategically visible programs and applying rigorous, detail-oriented execution across modern product development. The manager leads complex, often multi-year new product and technology development programs involving technical uncertainty, multiple development loops, and strict industrialization-readiness criteria. They translate evolving customer requirements into structured project plans, milestones, and deliverables; coordinate R&D, engineering, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, supply chain, and other functions; and manage scope, schedule, risks, dependencies, performance, cost, and quality. The role exercises accountability for integrated project delivery within defined governance, corporate product-development processes, quality systems, and regulatory and safety guidelines, escalating material decisions and trade-offs as appropriate. The position directly drives customer relationships by preparing and moderating meetings and following up on actions. Customer meetings may take place at ZEISS premises or customer headquarters. The role has no direct reports, although the number of project contributors may be substantial. Projects may generate between $5 million and $100 million in revenue per year, and project costs vary significantly by project. National and international travel is estimated at approximately 25%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field of experience.
At least 5 years of experience.
Proven experience managing complex technical development projects.
Strong ability to structure ambiguity and turn evolving requirements into actionable plans.
Excellent stakeholder management skills, including confidence working with demanding and detail-oriented customers.
Ability to align teams without formal authority and maintain momentum under pressure.
Clear, concise communication skills, balancing technical depth with executive-level clarity.
Resilient, pragmatic, and solution-oriented approach, with comfort navigating conflict and high expectations.
Solid understanding of product development lifecycles and cross-functional collaboration.
Willingness to travel nationally and internationally; estimated travel is approximately 25%.

Nice To Haves

Experience in optics, medical devices, consumer electronics, or similar high-precision industries.
Experience with direct customer relationships.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end project management for advanced spectacle lens development programs, from concept through industrialization.
Lead complex, multi-year new product and technology development programs, ensuring disciplined planning, execution, control, and industrialization readiness.
Translate complex and evolving customer requirements into measurable project objectives, plans, milestones, and deliverables.
Coordinate cross-functional work among R&D, engineering, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, supply chain, and other internal and external stakeholders.
Manage project scope, timelines, risks, dependencies, and corrective actions using formal reviews, scenario analyses, and decision forums.
Drive structured communication with internal teams and external stakeholders, including customer meeting preparation, moderation, and follow-up.
Identify emerging technical, organizational, and execution issues; escalate critical issues with fact-based options and impact assessments.
Maintain alignment with performance, cost, and quality targets, monitoring progress through reviews, KPIs, and deviation analyses.
Make project sequencing, prioritization, phase-transition, and day-to-day alignment decisions within defined governance and approved project boundaries.
Travel nationally and internationally as needed, estimated at approximately 25%.