Senior Program Engineer

Illuminate USA; Pataskala (OH); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Illuminate USA, a growing solar manufacturing leader in Central Ohio, is seeking a Senior Program Engineer to lead the change management lifecycle at our Columbus facility. You will guide change requests, drive cross-functional coordination, and implement robust risk assessments to ensure timely, effective adoption across teams.

The role requires strong English communication and collaboration with global partners, plus the ability to train associates on new processes within a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field in Semiconductor, Electronics, Solar or Automotive industry.
• 8+ years of work experience and 4+ years in change management or program management.
• Familiarity with Change Management and Phased Gate Programs (Stage Gate, New Product Intro, Advanced Product Quality Planning, etc.).
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and update the Change Management system, ensuring all change requests are logged, tracked and managed.
• Schedule and facilitate Change Advisory Board (CAB) meetings, documenting decisions and ensuring action items are followed up.
• Assist in developing and executing communication plans related to changes, ensuring stakeholders are informed and aligned.
• Conduct risk assessments on proposed changes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional departments to ensure changes are implemented effectively and on time.
• Assist with post-change analysis to evaluate success of changes and outcomes.
• Maintain accurate documentation for all changes, including change logs, approvals, and post-change reviews.
• Provide reports and metrics to track change requests and outcomes.
• Continuously assess and optimize change management processes for efficiency.
• Support creation of training materials and conduct training sessions for associates on change management.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job Description

Illuminate USA, located in the heart of Central Ohio, is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we’ve rapidly grown to over 1,600 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million-square-foot factory. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere.

We are a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace. We’re not just building solar panels— we’re building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact.

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area.

Summary

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Senior Program Engineer to join our team at our new facility in Columbus, Ohio. In this role, you will lead and manage the organization's change management process, ensuring smooth and effective implementation of change initiatives. Responsibilities include overseeing change requests, facilitating cross-functional meetings, conducting risk assessments, and supporting communication and training efforts to drive alignment and adoption across teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and update the Change Management system, ensuring all change requests are accurately logged, tracked and managed.


• Schedule and facilitate Change Advisory Board (CAB) meetings, documenting decisions and ensuring action items are followed up.


• Assist in the development and execution of communication plans related to changes, ensuring stakeholders are informed and aligned.


• Conduct risk assessments on proposed changes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and strategies.


• Collaborate closely with cross-functional departments to ensure changes are implemented effectively and on time.


• Assist with post-change analysis to evaluate the success of changes and ensure meeting the intended objectives.


• Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation for all changes, including change logs, approval records, and post-change reviews.


• Provide reports and metrics to track the status of change requests and outcomes.


• Continuously assess and optimize change management processes for efficiency and effectiveness.


• Support the creation of training materials and conduct training sessions for associates regarding change management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field in the Semiconductor, Electronics, Solar or Automotive industry.


• Minimum 8 years working experience and 4+ years of experience in change management or program management-related roles.


• Familiarity with Change Management and Phased Gate Programs (e.g., Stage Gate, New Product Intro, Advanced Product Quality Planning, etc.).


• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and efficiently prioritize requests to meet deadlines.


• Fluent in English and Chinese, excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (preferred)


• Ability to collaborate effectively with global teams, including occasional meetings with Asian partners outside of regular working hours.


• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)


• Basic project management knowledge or certification is a plus.

At Illuminate USA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

We proudly embrace equal opportunity for all, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Your unique background and experiences are valued here, as we believe they strengthen our team and drive our mission forward.

Illuminate is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.