NPI Hardware Program Manager

The Fountain Group; United States; On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fountain Group seeks a Hardware NPI Program Manager to own end-to-end scheduling for server/cloud infrastructure hardware programs from EVT through ramp. This hands-on role requires building and maintaining the master schedule, tracking build readiness, and making technical calls under pressure.

We expect 3–7 years in hardware NPI, strong experience owning programs, and depth in server assembly, rack‑and‑stack, and hardware test/validation.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years in hardware NPI program management, ideally in servers, cloud infrastructure, or data center hardware.
• Demonstrated ability to independently own and drive a program schedule — not just contribute to one.
• Working technical understanding of server/system assembly, rack‑and‑stack processes, and hardware test/validation.
• Strong command of EVT/DVT/PVT structure and can speak fluently and specifically to how each phase was executed in past roles (this will be tested via situational interview questions).
• Comfortable being hands‑on with spreadsheets, schedules, and tracking tools daily — this is not a delegate‑and‑oversee role.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or similar certification.

Responsibilities

• Build, own, and maintain the master program schedule across EVT, DVT, PVT, and ramp milestones.
• Independently structure and lead schedule/build reviews; identify slippage risk before it becomes critical.
• Create and maintain detailed tracking artifacts (spreadsheets, dashboards, RAID logs) — this is hands‑on execution, not delegated.
• Coordinate SLT (system‑level test), DFx, and qualification activities across builds.
• Drive alignment across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality through each NPI gate.
• Resolve day‑to‑day build blockers directly — pulling in the right people same‑day rather than queuing issues for weekly syncs.

Skills

NPI program management

Schedule ownership

Cross-functional leadership

Data analysis & tracking

Technical hardware depth

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Excel

Dashboards

RAID logs

Job description

Duration: 11 months with extensions based on client need and performance.

Description:

The Hardware NPI Program Manager owns the end-to-end schedule and cross-functional execution of server/cloud infrastructure hardware programs, from EVT through mass-production ramp. This is a rolling-up-your-sleeves role: building and maintaining the project schedule, tracking build readiness, and understanding the technical details of server assembly, rack-and-stack integration, and test/validation well enough to make informed calls under pressure — not a role focused on supplier negotiation or portfolio-level strategy.

This role requires in-depth foundational NPI understanding from day one. Internal tools and specific operating procedures will be trained; core NPI concepts, EVT/DVT/PVT structure, and situational problem-solving will not be.

Core Responsibilities

Program & Schedule Ownership

Build, own, and maintain the master program schedule across EVT, DVT, PVT, and ramp milestones.

Independently structure and lead schedule/build reviews; identify slippage risk before it becomes critical.

Create and maintain detailed tracking artifacts (spreadsheets, dashboards, RAID logs) — this is hands‑on execution, not delegated.

Technical / Hardware Depth

Understand server assembly processes, rack-and-stack integration, and system‑level test/validation well enough to troubleshoot and make technical tradeoff calls with engineering.

Read and work from BOMs, engineering drawings, and build specs.

Coordinate SLT (system‑level test), DFx, and qualification activities across builds.

Cross‑Functional Execution

Drive alignment across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality through each NPI gate.

Resolve day‑to‑day build blockers directly — pulling in the right people same‑day rather than queuing issues for weekly syncs.

Sourcing Exposure (Not Ownership)

Work closely with sourcing/procurement to understand material readiness, long‑lead risk, and supplier constraints as they affect the schedule.

Enough sourcing fluency to ask the right questions and flag risk early — not to run RFQs or own supplier negotiations.

Required Qualifications

3–7 years in hardware NPI program management, ideally in servers, cloud infrastructure, or data center hardware.

Demonstrated ability to independently own and drive a program schedule — not just contribute to one.

Working technical understanding of server/system assembly, rack‑and‑stack processes, and hardware test/validation.

Strong command of EVT/DVT/PVT structure and can speak fluently and specifically to how each phase was executed in past roles (this will be tested via situational interview questions).

Comfortable being hands‑on with spreadsheets, schedules, and tracking tools daily — this is not a delegate‑and‑oversee role.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Qualifications

Experience specifically with cloud/server hardware programs (vs. other electronics categories).

Exposure to sourcing/procurement processes (RFQs, BOM cost tracking, supplier readiness) — as a collaborator, not as primary owner.

Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or similar certification.

Experience operating in high‑bandwidth, fast‑moving teams where you're expected to lead without a long ramp period.