Hardware NPI Program Manager End-to-End Delivery Automation

Nextpower; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Bonus and equity

Unlimited paid time off

Job summary

Nextpower in Fremont, CA seeks an experienced Program Manager to own and drive hardware NPI programs from development through production ramp. You will coordinate across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and external partners to ensure on-time, on-quality execution aligned to business goals.

The role emphasizes disciplined program management, risk mitigation, and ROI-driven decisions, with opportunities to lead automation and digital manufacturing initiatives in a fast-paced energy tech

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 8–12 years of hardware program management, NPI, manufacturing, or supply chain operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional programs from development through production ramp.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes (PCBA, Box Build assembly, machining, automation) and supply chain functions.
• Familiarity with PLM systems, change management, and manufacturing test processes.
• Proven ability to influence without authority and deliver results in fast-paced environments.
• PMP or equivalent certification; Project management tools (MS Project, Smartsheets) and dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Serve as single-threaded owner for assigned programs, committing to outcomes and delivering with urgency.
• Develop and manage integrated program plans across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and external partners.
• Lead NPI builds (xVT, pilot, ramp, and/or post ramp qualifications) ensuring readiness across materials, test, tooling, and factory operations.
• Drive structured execution with milestones and high say-do ratio across stakeholders.
• Coordinate delivery with contract manufacturers through the NPI to ensure on-time material procurement, assembly, testing, field testing & PPAP.
• Identify and mitigate material, capacity, and operational risks.
• Advance automation readiness to improve throughput, quality, and scalability.
• Lead structured root cause and corrective action efforts when issues arise.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

NPI hardware programs

Supply chain operations

Manufacturing processes

PLM systems

Change management

Influence without authority

Project management tools

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field

PMP or equivalent certification

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheets

Dashboards

Job description

Nextpower in Fremont, CA seeks an experienced Program Manager to own and drive hardware NPI programs from development through production ramp. You will coordinate across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and external partners to ensure on-time, on-quality execution aligned to business goals.

The role emphasizes disciplined program management, risk mitigation, and ROI-driven decisions, with opportunities to lead automation and digital manufacturing initiatives in a fast-paced energy tech