Program Manager

advantestcareers; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantest in San Jose, CA seeks a Program Manager to own end-to-end customer-funded engineering systems programs, from demand through delivery, installation, and acceptance. You will coordinate hardware, software, and logistics across ESBU and partners to ensure on-time, high-quality results.

The role requires leading global teams, managing risks, and resolving ownership gaps with influence. You will report to ESBU leadership and interface with customers to deliver first-of-kind test cells and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of program management delivering hardware or integrated systems.
• Experience leading cross-functional, globally distributed programs.
• Strong understanding of HW+SW/system integration.
• Demonstrated ownership under tight schedules and pressures.
• Experience in international environments and cross-region collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Own full lifecycle execution of ESBU programs.
• Forecast demand and align delivery plans.
• Lead cross-functional and global coordination across regions.
• Coordinate with suppliers and partners on delivery plans.
• Govern BOM definition, ordering workflows, and handover.
• Define and track KPIs and risk mitigation.
• Provide status to ESBU leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

Execution & accountability

Facilitation of technical discussions

Cultural awareness

Structured communication

Resilience in ambiguity

Job description

The Program Manager (PM) in ESBU owns end‑to‑end execution of customer‑funded engineering systems programs, from demand signal through delivery, installation, and customer acceptance. The role combines technical program management, operational execution, supplier coordination, and cross‑BU governance. The PM is accountable for delivering complex test cell and insertion solutions on time, to quality, and with clear ownership across Advantest and its partners. This is a delivery‑owning execution role, not a coordination‑only PM position.

Key Responsibilities

End‑to‑End Program Ownership

• Own full lifecycle execution of ESBU programs:
  • Forecast and demand alignment
  • Ordering and BOM readiness
  • Manufacturing, system integration, and assembly
  • Shipment, installation, and customer buy‑off
• Act as the single point of accountability for ESBU delivery commitments.

Forecast, Demand & Delivery Alignment

• Drive monthly demand planning and delivery plans for ESBU‑owned systems.
• Align Business Development/ Sales FCST, customer CRDs, and operational readiness (CRD vs. SSD vs. “ready‑for‑test”).
• Establish predictable execution of cadence and transparency across stakeholders.

Cross‑Functional & Global Coordination

• Lead execution across globally distributed teams, including:
  • ESBU engineering (HW, SW, system integration)
  • Product Units (e.g., V93k PU)
  • Operations and logistics
  • Field Service and installation
• Navigate time zone, cultural, and organizational differences while driving alignment, ownership, and timely decision‑making.
• Participate in ESBU staff meetings to align execution priorities and resolve ownership gaps.

Supplier & Partner Program Management

• Coordinate execution across multiple external suppliers and partners.
• Align delivery plans, capacity assumptions, changes, risks, and mitigations.
• Drive escalation and resolution jointly with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Ordering, BOM & Process Governance

• Own ESBU execution processes for:
  • BOM definition and approval
  • Ordering workflows and approvals
  • Handover to operations and logistics
• Ensure processes are clearly defined, scalable, and consistently followed
• Identify and close process gaps impacting execution.

KPI, Risk & Issue Management

• Define, track, and drive execution of KPIs (schedule adherence, readiness, system quality at handover).
• Proactively identify risks across supply, integration, ownership, and execution.
• Lead mitigation planning and elevate decisively when required.

Executive, Customer & Stakeholder Communication

• Provide clear, fact‑based program status to ESBU leadership.

• Prepare inputs for:
  • Monthly ESBU manufacturing and execution updates
  • Strategic Program Reviews (SPR) and roadmap discussions
  • Executive escalation forums
• Support customer‑facing communication related to ESBU execution when needed.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of Program Management experience delivering complex hardware, or integrated system programs in a global environment.
• Proven experience delivering complex, cross‑functional, globally distributed programs.
• Strong background in system‑driven environments (HW + SW).
• Demonstrated ownership of execution under schedule, resource, and stakeholder pressure.
• Prior experience working in a truly international environment.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and effectively manage cultural differences in communication, decision‑making, escalation, and execution across regions.
• Success in this role requires experience beyond software development programs, including execution of complex hardware, system integration, manufacturing, deployment, or operational delivery activities.

Core Skills

• Strong execution and accountability mindset.
• Ability to facilitate deep technical discussions and drive decisions without direct authority.
• High cultural awareness and adaptability when working across regions and functions.
• Clear, structured communication with senior leadership and customers.
• Self‑motivated, resilient, and comfortable operating in ambiguity.

Preferred

• Semiconductor / ATE industry experience.
• Background in engineering services, insertion programs, or first‑of‑kind system delivery.
• Experience working with teams in North America, Europe, and Asia.
• Professional Program or Project Management certification (PgMP, PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, or equivalent) is a plus.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies.

What Success Looks Like

• ESBU forecasts, delivery plans, and execution remain aligned and predictable.
• Clear ownership exists across ESBU, Product Units, Operations, and Field Service.
• Risks driven by supply, integration, or cultural misalignment are identified early and mitigated.
• Customers receive systems as committed, without last‑minute escalation.
• Leadership has one trusted, consistent view of ESBU execution status.

Why This Role Is Hard

This role sits at the intersection of engineering, operations, suppliers, product units, and customers, across multiple regions and cultures.

Programs are often first‑of‑kind, customer‑funded, and executed under incomplete information, while expectations remain high and timelines aggressive. Success requires balancing execution discipline with flexibility, driving clarity where ownership is ambiguous, and navigating cultural differences without slowing delivery. The Program Manager must lead through influence, not authority, and make decisions with real business and customer impact.