Senior Hardware Program Manager — NPI & Cross‑Functional Lead

MKS Instruments; Andover (MN); On-site; USD 155,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

MKS Instruments seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead complex NPI and advanced development programs within the Vacuum Products division. You will manage multiple concurrent projects from concept through production launch, reporting to the Director of Project Management and partnering with engineering leaders.

Strong emphasis on influence in a matrixed environment. Responsibilities include cross-functional coordination, integrated scheduling, program financials, and executive reviews, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of hardware product development experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage programs consisting of multiple concurrent projects with cross-functional dependencies.
• Strong working knowledge of stage-gate or similar product development processes.
• Knowledge and application of PM tools such as Gantt charts, PERT charts, action items, Scrums, managing to critical path, etc.
• Track record of leading through influence in matrixed organizations where direct authority over functional resources is limited.
• Demonstrated ability to manage customer-facing engineering relationships.
• Comfortable operating in evolving processes and proactively closing gaps.
• Continuous improvement mindset and ability to scale the Product Development Process.
• Ability to travel up to 15%.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of multi-project NPI and advanced development programs across the full product development lifecycle.
• Drive cross-functional coordination across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and business teams to meet program commitments.
• Develop and maintain integrated program schedules, tracking cross-program dependencies and surfacing conflicts early.
• Own program financials including budget development, cost tracking, earned income projections, and variance reporting.
• Lead program and gate reviews with senior leadership, providing clear, transparent assessments of delivery health and risk.
• Maintain project documentation and deliverable traceability consistent with ISO quality system requirements.
• Partner with engineering directors and functional managers to resolve resourcing and technical challenges without waiting for direction.
• Deliver against aggressive time-to-market targets, pushing execution speed while preserving process integrity.
• Use judgment to scale the Product Development Process to each program’s requirements.
• Travel requirements: up to 15%.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Influence in matrixed orgs

Budget management

Risk management

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related field

Tools

Gantt charts

PERT charts

Scrums

ISO 9001 knowledge

Job description

MKS Instruments seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead complex NPI and advanced development programs within the Vacuum Products division. You will manage multiple concurrent projects from concept through production launch, reporting to the Director of Project Management and partnering with engineering leaders.

Strong emphasis on influence in a matrixed environment. Responsibilities include cross-functional coordination, integrated scheduling, program financials, and executive reviews, with