Senior Hardware Programme Lead - Photonics & AI Infra

Salience Labs Ltd; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Salience Labs Ltd., based in the United Kingdom, seeks an experienced engineering programme manager to own and drive cross‑functional technical programmes from design through tape-out, fabrication, test and qualification. You will align photonics, electronics, firmware, test and packaging teams to meet milestones and deliverables in a fast‑paced, deep‑tech context.

You will engage with engineers to understand constraints, translate them into actionable plans, and manage risks, dependencies and

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Physics or related field.
• Experience delivering complex hardware or deep-tech programmes.
• Hands-on technical background before moving into programme/project management.

Responsibilities

• Own the delivery of cross‑functional technical programmes from planning through milestone completion.
• Build and maintain integrated plans, timelines and critical paths across photonics, electronics, firmware, test and packaging.
• Translate technical requirements and engineering constraints into clear scope, priorities and deliverables.
• Identify, track and escape risks, dependencies and blockers early, and drive them to resolution.
• Coordinate tape‑outs, fabrication runs and build cycles with external foundry, manufacturing and test partners.
• Run regular programme reviews, stand‑ups and milestone gates with clear actions and accountability.
• Report progress, risks and trade‑offs to engineering leads and senior leadership with data‑led clarity.
• Work with engineering teams to define test readiness, qualification plans and release criteria.
• Manage supplier and partner schedules, deliverables and communication.
• Continuously improve programme management processes, tooling and ways of working.
• Maintain clear documentation of decisions, plans and programme status.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Planning & scheduling

Risk management

Stakeholder communication

Technical background

Education

Engineering or Physics degree

Tools

Jira

Confluence

MS Project

Job description

Salience Labs Ltd., based in the United Kingdom, seeks an experienced engineering programme manager to own and drive cross‑functional technical programmes from design through tape-out, fabrication, test and qualification. You will align photonics, electronics, firmware, test and packaging teams to meet milestones and deliverables in a fast‑paced, deep‑tech context.

You will engage with engineers to understand constraints, translate them into actionable plans, and manage risks, dependencies and