Program/Project Manager

Polar Semiconductor•Bloomington, MN

3d•$88,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

Polar Semiconductor is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead customer-funded technology development, qualification, and manufacturing transfer programs. The role is the primary interface between customers, business development, engineering, operations, and executive leadership. It coordinates cross-functional teams and program execution, manages risk, and ensures commitments are achieved on time and within budget while supporting revenue growth and profitability objectives. The Program Manager leads programs from technology development and qualification through manufacturing transfer, production release, and ramp. The position manages schedules, technical milestones, budgets, customer deliverables, scope changes, and change-control processes; drives customer communication and internal and external reviews; and provides executive-level updates on status, risks, resources, and commitments. It also supports proposals, statements of work, contract deliverables, business development activities, and customer visits.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Science, or a related technical field.
At least 5 years of project or program management experience.
Experience leading cross-functional projects in a technical or manufacturing environment.
Proficiency with project management tools, planning methodologies, and reporting systems.
Strong communication, presentation, and customer relationship management skills.
Demonstrated success leading complex new product introduction, technology development, qualification, or technology transfer programs.
Ability to influence and align teams without direct authority and to engage with customers, executives, and technical subject matter experts.
Ability to balance technical depth with commercial and customer-facing skills.
Problem-solving, risk management, and decision-making capabilities.
Ability to manage ambiguity, changing priorities, and multiple stakeholders in dynamic environments.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MS, MBA, or PhD) in Engineering, Business, Physics, or a related field.
At least 8 years of program or project management experience in semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or related industries.
Experience managing semiconductor technology development, process qualification, manufacturing transfer, or NPI programs.
Understanding of wafer fabrication processes, process integration, yield improvement, and qualification methodologies.
Experience working with external customers, strategic technology partners, or government-funded development programs.
Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast-paced development environment.
Strong risk management, contract deliverable tracking, and customer relationship management skills.
Familiarity with stage-gate development processes or similar program management frameworks.
PMP certification or equivalent project/program management training.
Experience managing customer-driven R&D, technology commercialization, or technology transfer programs.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary program lead for customer technology development and technology transfer initiatives.
Lead cross-functional teams spanning process engineering, equipment engineering, wafer integration, characterization, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and operations.
Establish and manage integrated program schedules, technical milestones, budgets, risks, and customer deliverables.
Drive technology readiness, qualification, and manufacturing transfer activities from concept through production release.
Coordinate internal and external technical reviews and align customer requirements with execution plans.
Develop and maintain risk registers, mitigation plans, action-item tracking, and executive-level reporting.
Drive customer communication, expectations, and deliverables throughout the development lifecycle.
Identify program risks early and implement mitigation strategies.
Support proposal development, statements of work, contract deliverables, business development activities, and customer visits.
Manage scope changes, change-control processes, and technology readiness assessments.
Provide regular executive-level updates on program status, key risks, resource requirements, and customer commitments.