Senior Product Development Program Manager

MiniMed•Los Angeles, CA

4d•$164,000 - $309,000

About The Position

The Senior Product Development Program Manager will lead strategic cost reduction and value engineering initiatives for next-generation product platforms. The role partners with R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Sourcing, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, and other teams to identify, prioritize, and implement product cost improvements while preserving product performance, quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance. The position combines program management with hands-on value engineering, cost modeling, and cross-functional product development. The manager works with R&D on product architecture, design decisions, manufacturing strategies, and implementation plans that support long-term product cost targets. Responsibilities span integrated program planning and governance, VA/VE and design-for-cost initiatives, financial analysis, cross-functional risk management, and implementation through commercialization. Success includes delivering sustained savings, meeting milestones and budgets, improving manufacturability, and maintaining product supply and quality.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and at least 7 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Experience leading complex cross-functional programs in a regulated environment.
Demonstrated experience leading VA/VE initiatives, product cost optimization programs, and cross-functional engineering teams to achieve cost reduction targets.
Strong understanding of product cost structures, cost modeling, and business case development.
Ability to influence stakeholders and drive execution without direct authority.
Strong communication, leadership, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
Relevant experience in product development, engineering, operations, manufacturing, or program management.
Medical device or other regulated-industry experience.
Experience partnering directly with R&D on product architecture decisions, design changes, material substitutions, and platform optimization.
Experience developing should-cost models, financial analyses, and investment business cases.
Working knowledge of Design-to-Value, VA/VE, Design for Manufacturing, Design for Assembly, and Lean Product Development methodologies.
Experience supporting sustaining engineering and product lifecycle management programs.
Experience working with suppliers and strategic sourcing teams to identify and implement cost reductions.
Advanced degree (MS).
PMP certification or equivalent program management experience.

Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional cost reduction programs for next-generation product platforms.
Develop and maintain integrated project plans, schedules, milestones, dependencies, and implementation roadmaps.
Coordinate activities across R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, and Sourcing.
Facilitate governance reviews and communicate program status, risks, mitigation plans, and key decisions to leadership.
Drive alignment on project priorities, resources, and implementation strategies.
Lead Value Analysis / Value Engineering activities to identify and implement sustainable product cost reductions, and report progress.
Partner with R&D throughout concept, design, and sustaining engineering to optimize cost and manufacturability.
Facilitate value engineering workshops and design reviews to challenge cost assumptions and identify opportunities.
Evaluate alternative materials, components, suppliers, manufacturing processes, and product architectures.
Drive Design-for-Cost, Design-for-Manufacturing, and Design-for-Assembly initiatives across the product lifecycle.
Develop should-cost models, cost analyses, and investment business cases to support prioritization and decisions.
Establish cost reduction roadmaps aligned with annual operating plans and long-term business objectives.
Build partnerships across R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, and Finance.
Coordinate technical, operational, and commercial activities needed to implement cost reduction initiatives.
Lead resolution of program risks, technical trade-offs, and implementation challenges; align stakeholders on objectives, timelines, and outcomes.
Quantify cost reduction opportunities and track savings realization.
Partner with Finance and Supply Chain to validate business cases and financial impact.
Develop and maintain metrics, dashboards, and reporting to monitor progress against cost reduction targets.
Support capital investment evaluations and return-on-investment analyses where required.
Coordinate design, supplier, manufacturing, and process changes supporting cost reduction objectives.
Incorporate design controls, validation activities, and regulatory requirements into project plans.
Support commercialization and operational readiness for approved product changes.
Monitor implementation effectiveness and sustain savings following launch.
Deliver product cost reduction targets and maintain a multi-year cost optimization roadmap.
Lead VA/VE initiatives from concept through commercialization and influence design decisions that improve cost, manufacturability, quality, and supply chain performance.
Ensure project milestones are delivered on schedule and within approved budgets; proactively manage risks, dependencies, and implementation challenges.
Maintain cross-functional alignment and accountability while balancing cost objectives with quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
Support strategic cost reduction initiatives, long-range product margin improvement, and operational excellence with R&D and Operations leadership.
Achieve annual and multi-year cost targets, measurable sustained savings, implementation commitments, design optimization adoption, and commercialization without disruption to supply or quality.

Benefits

Competitive salary and flexible benefits package.
Health insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Health Savings Account.
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account.
Life insurance.
Long-term disability leave and short-term disability coverage.
Dependent daycare spending account.
Incentive plans, including eligibility for the Short Term Incentive (STI).
401(k) plan with company match.
Paid time off and holidays.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Employee Assistance Program.
Eligible employees may have access to a Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement and Capital Accumulation Plan, subject to IRS minimum earnings requirements.