Staff Mechanical Technical Program Manager

Socket.dev; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

AMD is seeking a Staff Mechanical Technical Program Manager in Austin, TX or Secaucus, NJ to lead the mechanical systems development for AI/hyperscale servers. You will drive chassis, cooling, structural integrity, and manufacturability across the full product lifecycle, coordinating multiple engineering teams and suppliers.

The role emphasizes mechanical system integration, design-for-manufacturability, and leadership in fast-paced environments to meet aggressive schedules and quality targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field is required.
• MS or advanced degree preferred.
• Strong experience leading mechanical systems development across full lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical system program strategy and execution across the full product lifecycle.
• Lead mechanical and thermal system development including chassis, enclosure, cooling, and serviceability.
• Act as the mechanical system integrator, aligning across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and architecture teams.
• Drive DFM/ DFA/ DFR, prototype builds, validation, and supplier engagement.
• Provide clear status, risks, and tradeoffs to leadership.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Mechanical integration

Thermal management

Risk management

Mechanical design experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

MS preferred

Tools

CAD tools

BOM management software

Job description

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. ADVANCE THE WORLD.

At AMD, we believe technology can change lives for the better. It can heal us, entertain us, and make us more connected, productive, and understanding of the world around us. And we’re looking for talent who feel the same: people who want to leave the planet better than they found it, those who don’t shy away from humanity’s challenges but are determined to help solve them.

AMD is powering the next generation of supercomputing, high-performance computing, cloud, and AI. Whether you’re designing next-gen processors, enabling AI breakthroughs, or creating go-to-market plans, every role at AMD contributes to something bigger — technology that moves the world forward.

THE ROLE:

AMD’s Data Center Platform Engineering Group (DPEG) designs, builds, and delivers industry‑leading technology platforms powering advanced cloud, AI, and telecom infrastructures.

As part of DPEG, the Staff Mechanical Technical Program Manager will lead the planning and execution of mechanical system development for AI and hyperscale server platforms, with significant customer and business impact.

This role focuses on mechanical architecture, thermal design, structural integrity, and manufacturability, driving execution across the full product lifecycle—from early concept and system definition through detailed design, validation, production ramp, and sustaining.

The ideal candidate will act as a mechanical system integrator and program leader, coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver robust, reliable, cost-effective, and high-performance mechanical solutions that meet aggressive schedule and quality targets.

THE PERSON:

You are a mechanically focused Technical Program Manager with deep experience in system-level hardware development, particularly in thermal, mechanical, and structural domains.

• You work closely with Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, System Architecture, Electrical Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to translate product requirements into executable mechanical design programs.
• You lead cross-functional teams to deliver chassis, rack integration, cooling solutions (air/liquid), structural components, and serviceability features on schedule.
• You excel at managing complex interdependencies between mechanical, thermal, electrical, and manufacturing constraints.
• You drive clarity in ambiguous environments, establishing structured execution plans and decision frameworks.
• You communicate effectively from detailed design reviews to executive-level program updates, articulating risks, tradeoffs, and mitigation strategies.
• You proactively drive issue resolution across organizations and influence outcomes without formal authority.
• You mentor teams and elevate mechanical design rigor, DFM/DFA practices, and system-level thinking.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own mechanical system program strategy and execution across the full product lifecycle, balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, reliability, and serviceability.
• Lead execution of mechanical and thermal system development, including:
  • Chassis and enclosure design
  • Air and liquid cooling solutions
  • Structural integrity and shock/vibration performance
  • Cable management and serviceability
  • Rack-level and data center integration
• Act as the mechanical system integrator, ensuring alignment across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and system architecture design.
• Drive design for manufacturability (DFM), design for assembly (DFA), and design for reliability (DFR) best practices in partnership with manufacturing and supplier teams.
• Lead prototype build cycles (EVT/DVT/PVT), ensuring mechanical readiness, build quality, and issue resolution.
• Overseemechanical validation including shock/vibration, and safety requirements.
• Drive root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions for mechanical and thermal issues during development and post-launch.
• Partner with supply chain and suppliers on mechanical component sourcing, tooling, and production readiness.
• Lead BOM strategy for mechanical components, ensuring cost optimization, supplier readiness, and configuration control.
• Establish and lead program execution mechanisms, including design reviews, build reviews, and milestone checkpoints.
• Identify and manage mechanical and thermal risks, driving mitigation strategies and cross-functional alignment.
• Ensure systems meet reliability, serviceability, scalability, and sustainability requirements.
• Provide clear program status, risks, and tradeoffs to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Own program documentation, change management, and configuration control for mechanical systems.
• Define and track mechanical programs, including:
  • Program Health
  • Schedule & Key Milestones
  • Allocations
  • Test Plans & Execution Status
  • Issues & Key Deliverables

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Proven experience leading mechanical system development programs across full lifecycle (concept → production → sustaining).
• Strong technical expertise in one or more of the following:
  • Thermal management (air/liquid cooling)
  • Mechanical design for server systems or datacenter hardware
  • High-volume manufacturing and tooling
• Experience driving:
  • DFM/DFA/DFR methodologies
  • Prototype build cycles (EVT/DVT/PVT)
  • Supplier engagement and contract manufacturing
• Hands‑on experience with mechanical BOM lifecycle and change control.
• Strong cross‑functional leadership across mechanical, thermal, electrical, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Experience supporting customer engagements, field issues, and system‑level troubleshooting.

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• Advanced degree (MS) preferred

LOCATION:

• Austin, TX or Secaucus, NJ

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

#LI-KW1

Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.

AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third‑party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.