AVP, Hardware Manufacturing & Operations for AI Infrastructure

Astera Labs; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Astera Labs, based in San Jose, CA, seeks an AVP of Hardware Engineering Operations/Manufacturing to scale its hardware manufacturing footprint. The role covers SCM, AEC, evaluation boards, AI chassis-class systems, and ODM programs, with global CM partnerships and cost/time-to-market accountability.

The candidate will lead manufacturing strategy, drive NPI and advanced manufacturing initiatives, and optimize throughput, quality, and yield across high-volume hardware products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of hardware manufacturing experience with cable assembly, PCBA, board, module, or system/chassis.
• Proven track record managing contract manufacturers in Asia, including site ramps and multi-site operations.
• Deep expertise in NPI, DFM, mass production ramp, yield/test, and quality systems for high-volume hardware products.
• Hands-on experience across process/sustaining engineering, test engineering, and tooling/automation.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally to CM and ODM sites on a regular cadence.

Responsibilities

• Lead Astera Labs' hardware engineering operations and manufacturing organization across SCM, AEC, evaluation boards, AI Chassis-class systems, and ODM programs.
• Own day-to-day partnership with contract manufacturers across China and the rest of Asia — driving cadence, accountability, and site ramps from qualification through full production maturity.
• Manage ODM engagements for switch trays, CEM cards, chassis-based systems, and adjacent products, navigating the differences from traditional CM models.
• Partner with Hardware Engineering, Product, Supply Chain, and Quality leaders, and represent hardware operations in executive reviews.
• New Product Introduction (NPI) & Advanced Manufacturing.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews on early product designs to validate completeness and manufacturability before release to the floor.
• Lead production scaling — estimating costs, production times, and staffing requirements for new designs.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation for new manufacturing processes and engineering procedures.
• Process & Sustaining Engineering — design factory layouts and analyze workflows to maximize efficiency.
• Troubleshoot operational bottlenecks and investigate material use variances directly on the assembly line.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline

Experience leading hardware manufacturing operations

Experience managing contract manufacturers in Asia

Experience with NPI, DFM, mass production ramp, yield/test, and quality systems

Hands-on experience in process/sustaining engineering, test engineering, and tooling/automation

Willingness to travel internationally to CM and ODM sites

Job description

Astera Labs, based in San Jose, CA, seeks an AVP of Hardware Engineering Operations/Manufacturing to scale its hardware manufacturing footprint. The role covers SCM, AEC, evaluation boards, AI chassis-class systems, and ODM programs, with global CM partnerships and cost/time-to-market accountability.

The candidate will lead manufacturing strategy, drive NPI and advanced manufacturing initiatives, and optimize throughput, quality, and yield across high-volume hardware products.