Engineering Program Manager – Interconnect
Role Summary
As an Engineering Program Manager (EPM) on the Interconnect team, you will drive the end-to-end development, qualification, and ramp of custom, high-reliability connectors and interconnect assemblies. You will sit at the intersection of mechanical engineering, electrical/signal integrity, manufacturing, and global suppliers—leading programs from concept through prototype development, validation, and mass production.
The ideal candidate blends rigorous program management discipline with a solid grasp of hardware manufacturing, tooling schedules, vendor operations, and budget execution.
Key Responsibilities
1. Program Execution & Schedule Management
- Define, maintain, and drive the program schedule across all New Product Introduction (NPI) development phases (e.g., Proto, EVT, DVT, PVT) through ramp.
- Identify critical paths, manage technical trade-offs, proactively mitigate schedule risks, and track issues to closure across multi-tiered builds.
- Coordinate build allocations, sample logistics, and material readiness to ensure uninterrupted prototype and test execution.
- Partner closely with custom connector vendors, component suppliers, and assembly CMs to track build progress, tooling lead times, and yield improvements.
- Monitor factory-floor execution during development builds, drive corrective actions for line fallout, and ensure readiness for mass production volume.
- Manage readiness reviews for tooling, stamping, molding, plating, and automated assembly processes.
3. Cross-Functional Engineering & Validation Alignment
- Interface across cross-functional teams—including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical / Signal Integrity, Reliability, Quality, DFM/Tooling, and System EPMs to align on connector specifications and system integration milestones.
- Track environmental, mechanical, electrical, and reliability test matrices (e.g., insertion life, mating force, thermal shock, corrosion, impedance, high-speed performance) to ensure full design validation prior to ramp.
- Oversee the interconnect program budget, including prototype tooling, equipment, engineering validation samples, and test fixtures.
- Generate, manage, and track Purchase Requisitions/Purchase Orders (PR/POs) through approval, delivery, invoice reconciliation, and cost-tracking.
- Partner with Global Supply Management (GSM) and Finance to track capital expenditures (CapEx) and operational expenditures (OpEx).
Key Qualifications
- Hardware Program Management: 3+ years of technical program or project management experience within hardware product development, consumer electronics, or precision electromechanical components.
- Interconnect / Manufacturing Familiarity: Working understanding of connector manufacturing processes (e.g., precision metal stamping, injection molding/insert molding, plating, surface-mount soldering, automated assembly).
- Vendor / CM Management: Proven track record collaborating with overseas vendors and contract manufacturers, tracking schedules, and driving on-time delivery under tight deadlines.
- Budget / PO Oversight: Direct experience building program budgets, generating POs, managing material allocations, and reconciling deliverables.
- Validation Acumen: Experience tracking hardware design verification (DVT) testing, reliability standards, and failure analysis root cause investigations.
- Communication & Influence: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with ability to distill complex technical/schedule trade-offs for leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in mechanical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, or related technical discipline.
- Experience with high-density, micro-pitch, or high-speed data/power connector architectures.
- Familiarity with enterprise PLM, ERP, and tracking tools (e.g., Agile, Windchill, SAP, Jira, Confluence, Keynote/Excel).
- Prior experience managing international suppliers in the APAC region.
- Mandarin language proficiency is preferred, but not required.
Education & Experience
- BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.