Strategic Program Manager, Hardware Initiatives

Celestica International LP • San Jose, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Strategic Program Manager with a strong background in complex hardware development to drive and coordinate our strategic initiatives focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms and infrastructure. This is a high-visibility, cross-functional role reporting directly to Engineering leadership, responsible for ensuring seamless execution of the AI hardware roadmap across all engineering disciplines and coordinating IP capture and talent allocation.Detailed DescriptionThe Program Manager will be the central coordinator for all AI hardware strategy execution, specifically responsible for:
AI Hardware Roadmap Execution:

Coordinate the end-to-end execution of AI hardware design programs, translating strategic goals into actionable engineering work packages across the organization.
Manage and track timelines, resource allocation, and dependencies for critical AI-focused product development cycles.

Cross-Functional Engineering Leadership & Coordination:

Serve as the primary interface and driver across all core engineering domains.
Facilitate decision-making and resolve technical conflicts between domain teams to maintain program velocity and ensure hardware readiness for AI workloads.

Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy and Capture:

Act as the engineering liaison with the Patents/IP Office to proactively identify, vet, and prioritize novel inventions arising from AI hardware development (e.g., advanced cooling, high-speed interconnects).
Drive the timely submission and documentation of high-priority patent applications.

Talent and Resource Management:

Coordinate with internal hiring managers and external contract houses to proactively identify skill gaps and align external engineering talent (SMEs) with project needs and open positions, ensuring the team has the necessary expertise to execute the AI strategy.
Compensation Data
Base Salary- 123K- 170K
Compensation includes the Base Salary and the target Short-Term Incentive (STI)/ bonus. A comprehensive benefits package is offered in addition to this.Knowledge/Skills/Competencies
Technical Depth: Demonstrated strong technical understanding of the hardware engineering lifecycle, covering at least three of the following domains. Familiarity with major hardware and simulation tools (e.g., Cadence, Synopsys, Siemens) is strongly preferred.
Program Management Excellence: Proven ability to manage large, complex programs across multiple time zones, utilizing standard project management methodologies (e.g., agile, waterfall).
Communication: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical strategy and program status to both executive leadership and technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).IP Exposure: Experience coordinating with legal or patent teams, or direct experience in the invention disclosure process, is highly desirable.
Physical Demands
Duties of this position are performed in a normal office environment.
Duties may require extended periods of sitting and sustained visual concentration on a computer monitor or on numbers and other detailed data.
Repetitive manual movements (e.g., data entry, using a computer mouse, using a calculator, etc.) are frequently required.
Above demands are carried out within the local existing Health and Safety guidelines
Typical Experience
Seven to 10 years of total experience, including at least 1 years in a Program or Project Management role managing complex, high-speed hardware development projects (e.g., servers, switches, networking equipment).
Typical Education
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field. A Master's degree is preferred.
NotesThis job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.Celestica is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.
This policy applies to hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral and other aspects of employment and also states that retaliation against a person who files a charge of discrimination, participates in a discrimination proceeding, or otherwise opposes an unlawful employment practice will not be tolerated. All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Celestica is an E-Verify employer.

COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Celestica (NYSE, TSX: CLS) enables the world’s best brands. Through our recognized customer-centric approach, we partner with leading companies in Aerospace and Defense, Communications, Enterprise, HealthTech, Industrial, Capital Equipment and Energy to deliver solutions for their most complex challenges. As a leader in design, manufacturing, hardware platform and supply chain solutions, Celestica brings global expertise and insight at every stage of product development – from drawing board to full-scale production and after-market services for products from advanced medical devices, to highly engineered aviation systems, to next-generation hardware platform solutions for the Cloud. Headquartered in Toronto, with talented teams spanning 40+ locations in 13 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia, we imagine, develop and deliver a better future with our customers.

Celestica would like to thank all applicants, however, only qualified applicants will be contacted.
Celestica does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies or fee based recruitment services.

Requirements

• Demonstrated strong technical understanding of the hardware engineering lifecycle, covering at least three of the following domains.
• Familiarity with major hardware and simulation tools (e.g., Cadence, Synopsys, Siemens) is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage large, complex programs across multiple time zones, utilizing standard project management methodologies (e.g., agile, waterfall).
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical strategy and program status to both executive leadership and technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
• Seven to 10 years of total experience, including at least 1 years in a Program or Project Management role managing complex, high-speed hardware development projects (e.g., servers, switches, networking equipment).
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.

Nice To Haves

• A Master's degree is preferred.
• Experience coordinating with legal or patent teams, or direct experience in the invention disclosure process, is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the end-to-end execution of AI hardware design programs, translating strategic goals into actionable engineering work packages across the organization.
• Manage and track timelines, resource allocation, and dependencies for critical AI-focused product development cycles.
• Serve as the primary interface and driver across all core engineering domains.
• Facilitate decision-making and resolve technical conflicts between domain teams to maintain program velocity and ensure hardware readiness for AI workloads.
• Act as the engineering liaison with the Patents/IP Office to proactively identify, vet, and prioritize novel inventions arising from AI hardware development (e.g., advanced cooling, high-speed interconnects).
• Drive the timely submission and documentation of high-priority patent applications.
• Coordinate with internal hiring managers and external contract houses to proactively identify skill gaps and align external engineering talent (SMEs) with project needs and open positions, ensuring the team has the necessary expertise to execute the AI strategy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level