Principal Engineering Program Manager

Graphcore•Austin, TX

About The Position

Reporting into the Hardware Systems Engineering organization, the Principal Engineering Program Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and driving the successful execution of complex hardware programs. Working closely with Hardware Systems Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, Validation, and Manufacturing Engineering teams, as well as external ODM, JDM, and contract manufacturing partners, the role drives engineering execution through manufacturing planning, factory readiness, manufacturing test readiness, and engineering build execution. Acting as the operational hub between development engineering and manufacturing, the role ensures engineering deliverables, manufacturing capabilities, and program milestones remain aligned to enable successful engineering builds and product qualification. The Hardware Systems Engineering team develops and integrates high-performance AI hardware systems, including server platforms, PCBAs, mechanical assemblies, and supporting infrastructure. Working closely with Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, Validation, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations teams, alongside external ODM, JDM, and contract manufacturing partners, the team focuses on enabling robust hardware designs, effective system integration, and manufacturing readiness during the early stages of product development.

Requirements

10 years of demonstrated experience leading complex hardware system development programs through engineering builds and manufacturing readiness.
Experience working directly with ODM, JDM, or contract manufacturing partners.
Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, new product introduction (NPI), engineering build execution, and manufacturing readiness activities.
Experience delivering manufacturing test readiness, including production test development, factory test implementation, and manufacturing validation.
Strong understanding of hardware development lifecycles, engineering change management, and cross-functional engineering execution.
Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams, including Hardware, Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, Validation, and Manufacturing Engineering.
Excellent program planning, risk management, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong communication skills with the ability to influence engineering, operations, and manufacturing leadership.

Nice To Haves

Experience with server platforms, enterprise hardware, or high-performance computing systems.
Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems, failure analysis, and corrective action methodologies.
Experience working with global manufacturing sites and international engineering teams.
Familiarity with PLM, ERP, and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
PMP, Agile, or equivalent program management certification.

Responsibilities

Lead complex hardware programs through manufacturing planning, factory readiness, and engineering build execution, partnering with development engineering teams to ensure designs, engineering deliverables, manufacturing processes, tooling, test infrastructure, and cross-functional activities are aligned to support successful prototype builds and product qualification.
Partner with Hardware Systems Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, and Validation teams to translate engineering requirements into executable manufacturing and engineering build plans.
Drive cross-functional execution across Hardware, Firmware, Validation, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations teams to ensure engineering and manufacturing activities remain aligned.
Manage technical engagement with ODM, JDM, and contract manufacturing partners to ensure engineering requirements, manufacturing readiness activities, and build objectives are executed successfully.
Coordinate manufacturing readiness activities, including engineering build planning, factory readiness, manufacturing test readiness, and qualification milestones.
Drive manufacturing test readiness by coordinating the delivery and validation of production test hardware, software, fixtures, diagnostics, and manufacturing test procedures prior to engineering builds.
Partner with Hardware Engineering, Validation, and Manufacturing Engineering teams to ensure manufacturing test coverage, test limits, and acceptance criteria support engineering validation objectives.
Work with ODM, JDM, and contract manufacturing partners to commission and qualify manufacturing processes, tooling, and test infrastructure ahead of engineering builds.
Drive engineering build execution by monitoring progress, identifying technical and operational issues, and coordinating cross-functional teams to resolve blockers quickly.
Coordinate engineering change implementation across development and manufacturing teams, ensuring design updates are effectively communicated, validated, and incorporated into engineering builds.
Lead cross-functional reviews of engineering and manufacturing issues, driving root cause analysis, corrective actions, and closure of engineering actions.
Monitor program risks across engineering development, supplier readiness, and manufacturing execution, driving mitigation plans where required.
Develop program reporting that provides clear visibility into engineering build readiness, manufacturing readiness, schedules, technical risks, and key delivery metrics.
Drive continuous improvement of engineering operations, engineering build execution, manufacturing readiness, and program management processes.