Program Manager IV - Optical Connectivity (NPI)

Technotopia Solutions•Rochester, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Lead complex New Product Introduction (NPI) programs for advanced optical connectivity products, from early development through validation, qualification, and production launch. The role requires technical program management, cross-functional leadership, and product development experience. The Program Manager coordinates engineering, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, procurement, and quality teams to achieve program milestones, schedules, deliverables, and product-readiness objectives. Experience with hardware development, manufacturing environments, fiber optics, or optical connectivity is highly desirable. The position is onsite in the Webster / Rochester, New York area, with 10–25% travel. The successful candidate will manage program plans and execution, coordinate prototype builds and readiness activities, communicate status and risks to stakeholders, and drive process improvements while keeping program quality and business goals in view.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Operations, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
8+ years of experience in program management, technical project management, engineering program management, NPI, product development, or related areas.
Demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional programs in a hardware, engineering, or manufacturing environment.
Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle, including prototype development, testing, validation, qualification, and production launch.
Ability to develop and manage program schedules, milestones, dependencies, risks, and deliverables.
Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and driving accountability across multiple workstreams.
Strong stakeholder management, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to identify program risks, resolve execution challenges, and communicate issues proactively.
Experience using program or project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Jira, Asana, or Planisware.
Ability to work onsite in the Webster / Rochester, New York area and travel as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in fiber optics, optical connectivity, photonics, fiber assemblies, or high-speed interconnect technologies.
Familiarity with AI infrastructure, hyperscale data centers, or advanced connectivity solutions.
Experience managing NPI programs involving complex hardware products and manufacturing operations.
Understanding of supplier readiness, material planning, manufacturing processes, and production ramp-up.
Experience coordinating engineering validation, product qualification, and manufacturing-readiness activities.
Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, Kanban, or other project execution methodologies.
Experience managing multiple programs or workstreams in a fast-paced, technically complex environment.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage NPI programs from concept and development through prototype builds, validation, qualification, and production launch.
Develop and maintain program plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, and resource requirements.
Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, procurement, and quality.
Monitor progress, identify dependencies and risks, resolve issues, and implement mitigation plans to maintain timelines.
Facilitate program reviews and communicate status, risks, decisions, and milestones to stakeholders and leadership.
Coordinate prototype builds, product testing, engineering validation, and production-readiness activities.
Partner with manufacturing and supply chain teams on supplier readiness, material availability, and production capacity alignment.
Drive accountability across workstreams and ensure timely completion of deliverables and program objectives.
Manage scope changes, schedule adjustments, and competing priorities while maintaining program quality and business goals.
Identify opportunities to improve NPI processes, program execution, and cross-functional collaboration.
Ensure program activities align with established engineering, quality, and operational requirements.