Program Manager

Sanmina-SCI Systems de México; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Holidays and PTO

Job summary

Sanmina Corporation is a leading IT rack enclosure expert in Fremont, CA, developing high‑density, Open Compute and ORV3‑compliant systems for hyperscale deployments.

The role bridges customer engineering and manufacturing, guiding CAD review, prototyping, and mass production while optimizing for DFM and cost efficiency in a fast‑paced, ITAR environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline.

Responsibilities

• Act as technical lead for rack frame development translating customer specs into high-volume fabrication.
• Lead DFM processes for complex sheet metal assemblies with tight tolerances (EIA-310, OCP).
• Manage end-to-end NPI lifecycle from CAD review to mass production of frames, busbars, and shelving.
• Oversee cooling system integration—liquid cooling components into frames without compromising rigidity.
• Direct prototyping and validation to ensure frames bear heavy dynamic loads during shipping/data-center deployment.
• Coordinate with manufacturing plants on laser cutting, robotic welding and precision bending.
• Provide RFQ cost-benefit analyses for modular vs welded frames to ensure competitive pricing.
• Some travel may be required.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Project management

Cross-site coordination

RFQ leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CNC turret punching

Fiber laser cutting

Press brake forming

Powder coating

Plating

Job description

Sanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider serving the fastest-growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. Recognized as a technology leader, Sanmina Corporation provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions, delivering superior quality and support to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) primarily in the communications networks, defense and aerospace, industrial and semiconductor systems, medical, multimedia, computing and storage, automotive and clean technology sectors. Sanmina Corporation has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world.

The Sanmina Fremont facility is a full‑service enclosure systems solution manufacturing plant. Located in California’s Silicon Valley, this facility produces low‑to‑mid volume New Product Introduction (NPI) runs to full‑scale volume. The Fremont facility offers everything from small piece parts to fully integrated and tested systems. Supporting diverse technology sectors including semiconductor, telecommunications, and medical equipment, the Fremont facility offers a wide array of services including sheet metal fabrication, welding, painting and clean room assembly.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Vice President of Business Operations, this position serves as the primary technical lead for the development and manufacturing of high‑density IT rack systems. The role focuses on the structural integrity, mechanical precision, and thermal integration of OCP (Open Compute Project) and ORV3‑compliant enclosures. The candidate acts as the bridge between hyperscale customer engineering and the manufacturing floor, ensuring that complex sheet metal designs are optimized for mass production.

Nature of Duties/Responsibilities

• Structural & Mechanical Liaison: Acts as the technical lead for rack frame development, translating customer mechanical specifications into high‑volume fabrication processes.
• Fabrication Strategy: Leads the DFM (Design for Manufacturing) process for complex sheet metal assemblies, ensuring rack frames meet stringent tolerances for EIA-310 and OCP standards.
• Hyperscale Program Execution: Manages the end‑to‑end NPI (New Product Introduction) lifecycle, from initial CAD review and prototyping to full‑scale production of frames, busbars, and internal shelving.
• Cooling System Integration: Oversees the mechanical integration of liquid cooling components—including CDUs, manifolds, and dripless quick‑disconnects—into the structural frame without compromising mechanical rigidity.
• Prototyping & Validation: Manages the build and testing of structural prototypes, ensuring frames can support massive dynamic loads during shipping and data center deployment.
• Supplier & Plant Coordination: Works directly with manufacturing plants to refine processes for laser cutting, robotic welding, and precision bending of high‑strength steel and aluminum components.
• Bid & Proposal Leadership: Technical lead for RFQs, providing cost‑benefit analysis on different fabrication methods (e.g., modular vs. welded frames) to ensure competitive pricing and structural performance.
• Some travel may be required.

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Mechanical Expertise: A minimum of 5 years of experience in Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication. Must have a deep understanding of metal behavior, including bend deductions, welding distortion, and structural stress points.
• Rack Architecture: Direct experience with IT rack frames. Understanding of "Cold Aisle/Hot Aisle" containment and structural requirements for AI/GPU‑heavy deployments is highly preferred.
• Cooling Integration: Experience integrating liquid cooling hardware (manifolds, tray‑level plumbing) into mechanical enclosures.
• Manufacturing IQ: Deep proficiency in fabrication processes: CNC turret punching, fiber laser cutting, press brake forming, and advanced finishing (powder coating and plating).
• Software Proficiency: Advanced skill in SolidWorks or similar CAD software is required for evaluating customer designs and suggesting DFM improvements.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multi‑site manufacturing transfers and complex bill of materials (BOMs).

This is an ITAR facility and applicant must be a US Citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

Sanmina is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Salary Range (annual): $85,000 - $98,000. Actual base pay within this range (determined at the offer stage) will be based on a candidate's years of relevant work experience, education, certifications, and skills, and is just one element of our total rewards package. The total rewards package also includes a variety of benefits, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business and, depending on the role, may include eligibility for restricted stock unit awards and participation in a discretionary bonus program.