Program Manager IV (NPI)

Photronics•Boise, ID

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Manager, New Product Introduction (NPI), leads cross-functional programs that transition new photomask products, technologies, and manufacturing capabilities from development through qualification and production ramp-up. The role partners with R&D, Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Equipment Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to establish requirements, coordinate deliverables, and ensure production readiness. The Program Manager owns program schedules, milestones, dependencies, and risks, and drives accountability and alignment across technical and business stakeholders. The position requires a strong technical manufacturing background and the ability to lead through influence to achieve quality, cost, and delivery objectives. This is an on-site role at Photronics’ Boise facility; remote candidates are not being considered.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in engineering, manufacturing, technical project management, or program management within semiconductor, photomask, or other complex precision manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional programs involving new product introduction, process qualification, technology transfer, or manufacturing scale-up.
Experience coordinating programs from development through qualification and production handoff.
Strong understanding of manufacturing process development, qualification, technology transfer, and production ramp-up.
Knowledge of semiconductor, photomask, or comparable precision manufacturing processes and quality requirements.
Ability to manage complex technical programs with multiple workstreams, dependencies, and competing priorities.
Ability to interpret technical information and manufacturing performance data to support decisions and identify emerging issues.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and drive accountability without direct reporting authority.
Effective communication and presentation skills, including the ability to convey technical risks, program status, and recommendations to varied audiences.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
Proficiency with project management tools and methods for scheduling, risk management, action tracking, and reporting.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with statistical process control, design of experiments, failure mode and effects analysis, and structured root-cause analysis.
Knowledge of photomask fabrication processes, such as lithography, etch, deposition, cleaning, inspection, or metrology.
Experience supporting customer qualification activities or technology transfers across multiple manufacturing sites.
PMP certification, formal project or program management training, or Lean/Six Sigma certification.

Responsibilities

Lead NPI programs from initial scope and feasibility assessment through development, qualification, production ramp-up, and handoff to manufacturing.
Translate customer, technology, and business requirements into program objectives, deliverables, milestones, and measurable success criteria.
Develop and maintain integrated program plans covering process development, equipment and material readiness, qualification, capability, and manufacturing readiness.
Coordinate cross-functional activities, manage dependencies, and ensure clear ownership and accountability for program commitments.
Partner with engineering and quality leaders to establish qualification plans and production acceptance criteria, including yield, defect performance, process capability, cycle time, and customer specifications.
Identify and manage technical and operational risks, resource constraints, and schedule conflicts; escalate issues with recommendations and recovery plans.
Facilitate program reviews and readiness checkpoints, communicating progress, decisions, risks, and action items to stakeholders and leadership.
Monitor program costs and resource requirements against approved plans, partnering with functional leaders to address gaps and evaluate trade-offs.
Align customer qualification schedules and launch commitments with internal development and manufacturing capabilities.
Ensure production handoffs include approved process documentation, operating procedures, training, control plans, and ownership for ongoing support.
Track performance during initial production ramp-up and coordinate corrective actions until agreed acceptance criteria are achieved.
Strengthen NPI practices through standardized tools, reporting, lessons learned, and continuous improvement.