Senior Engineering Program Manager

Pivotal Systems; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Pivotal Systems in Fremont, California, is seeking a Senior Engineering Program Manager with a strong mechatronics background to lead and deliver advanced gas flow control product development. You will drive programs from concept through production, balancing timelines, budget, and technical requirements in a fast-paced, small-team environment.

Reporting to the VP of Engineering Development, you will coordinate cross‑functional design, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• MS/PhD preferred for advanced roles.
• PMP or equivalent is a plus.
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery of complex technical projects in gas flow monitoring/control platforms.
• Prototyping, testing, design validation, and manufacturability focus for hardware/software components.
• Collaborate with design, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and QA to define scope and requirements.
• Own development-to-manufacturing transitions with documentation and production readiness.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Agile methodologies

Mechatronics understanding

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

Microsoft Project

Jira

Trello

Job description

Job Title: Senior Engineering Program Manager

About Pivotal Systems:

Pivotal Systems is a leading provider of innovative semiconductor process control solutions. We specialize in developing and delivering advanced gas flow controllers and related technologies to optimize semiconductor manufacturing processes. Our cutting-edge products enable our customers to achieve higher yields, greater efficiency, and improved performance in their semiconductor fabrication facilities.

Job Description:

We are seeking for a highly skilled Engineering Program Manager with a strong mechatronics background in to lead and oversee our technical projects in flow control product development. This role demands a hands‑on leader who excels in execution, thrives in fast-paced environments, and adapts seamless to small, agile teams.

Reporting to the VP of Engineering Development, you will drive projects from inception to completion, ensuring they meet timelines, budgets, and technical specifications while fostering innovation and operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex technical projects related to best-in-class gas flow monitoring and control technology platforms, ensuring alignment with company objectives and client requirements.
• Take a proactive, hands‑on role in product development activities, including prototyping, testing, design validation, and refinement of hardware and/or software components to ensure manufacturability, scalability, and high performance.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams—including design, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality assurance—to define project scope, technical requirements, and deliverables, while adapting to the dynamics of a small team environment.
• Own the seamless transition of projects from development to manufacturing, including robust documentation, production readiness, and scale‑up, with a relentless focus on getting things done efficiently.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets; monitor progress against milestones; and proactively manage risks and issues.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders and external clients, providing regular updates on project status, timelines, and budgetary considerations.
• Ensure adherence to technical specifications, industry standards, and regulatory requirements through all phases of the product lifecycle.
• Lead and participate in design reviews, DFMEAs, validation testing, and production readiness reviews.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities in product design, development workflows, and high volume manufacturing processes.
• Conduct post-project reviews to capture lessons learned, and drive the implementation of best practices across teams.
• Travel <10%.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; advanced degree (e.g., MS, PhD) preferred, must understand Mechanical Engineering concepts.
• Proven track record of successfully managing technical projects in a fast-paced environment, preferably within the global semiconductor industry.
• Solid understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including design, analysis, and manufacturing processes; knowledge of software programming and electrical principles highly desirable.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize tasks, juggle multiple projects in a small-team setting where adaptability and a "get things done" mindset are essential.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira, Trello) and familiarity with Agile methodologies.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management credentials preferred.
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.