Technical Program Manager

Ember LifeSciences, Inc.; Westlake Village (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Ember LifeSciences, Inc. is seeking a Technical Program Manager to drive complex cross-functional programs spanning mechanical, electrical, firmware, software, and cloud platforms in support of physical products from concept to field deployment.

You will partner with product and engineering leaders to define roadmaps, manage prototypes, test builds, supplier lead times, and design tradeoffs, while ensuring schedules stay on track and risks are addressed pragmatically.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of technical program or product management experience.
• 7+ years working directly with engineering teams.
• Hands-on experience delivering physical products through development lifecycle and into production.
• Experience managing programs across cross-functional teams, building processes, and coordinating build and release schedules.
• Working knowledge of hardware development practices, including design reviews, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing handoff.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple complex cross-functional initiatives at the same time, from initiation through delivery. This includes anticipating bottlenecks, managing escalations, and communicating status clearly at every level of the organization, up to the executive team.
• Own end-to-end execution for hardware-centric programs, including prototype builds, design verification and validation, pilot and production builds, and field deployment.
• Make sound tradeoffs that balance business needs, technical constraints, cost, schedule, and regulatory and quality requirements.
• Work closely with product and engineering teams to define near-term and long-term product roadmaps and integrated program plans that span hardware, firmware, software, and the cloud platform.
• Coordinate dependencies with contract manufacturers, component suppliers, and external engineering partners, tracking lead times and supply risks that affect delivery.
• Build mechanisms that drive timely, accurate, and thorough execution. Create clarity, remove obstacles, and drive issues to resolution so deliverables and timelines are met.
• Lead continuous improvement so our development and delivery processes get better with each program cycle.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to product and engineering leadership, offering a practical, technically grounded view on risk, scope, and priorities.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Hardware development

Product development lifecycle

Release planning

Education

Engineering degree or background

Job description

We’re looking for a Technical Program Manager who knows what it takes to bring a physical product from concept to the field. You will drive complex cross-functional programs across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software engineering. You’ll understand the realities of prototypes, test builds, supplier lead times, and design tradeoffs, and you’ll know when a schedule risk is really an engineering problem. You’ll be a hands‑on partner to our product and engineering leaders, bringing structure and clarity without slowing the team down.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Lead multiple complex cross-functional initiatives at the same time, from initiation through delivery. This includes anticipating bottlenecks, managing escalations, and communicating status clearly at every level of the organization, up to the executive team.
• Own end-to-end execution for hardware-centric programs, including prototype builds, design verification and validation, pilot and production builds, and field deployment.
• Make sound tradeoffs that balance business needs, technical constraints, cost, schedule, and regulatory and quality requirements.
• Work closely with product and engineering teams to define near-term and long-term product roadmaps and integrated program plans that span hardware, firmware, software, and the cloud platform.
• Coordinate dependencies with contract manufacturers, component suppliers, and external engineering partners, tracking lead times and supply risks that affect delivery.
• Build mechanisms that drive timely, accurate, and thorough execution. Create clarity, remove obstacles, and drive issues to resolution so deliverables and timelines are met.
• Lead continuous improvement so our development and delivery processes get better with each program cycle.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to product and engineering leadership, offering a practical, technically grounded view on risk, scope, and priorities.

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of technical program or product management experience.
• 7+ years working directly with engineering teams.
• Hands‑on experience delivering physical products, such as hardware, electromechanical devices, connected/IoT devices, or medical devices, through the development lifecycle and into production.
• Experience managing programs across cross-functional teams, building processes, and coordinating build and release schedules.
• Working knowledge of hardware development practices, including design reviews, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing handoff.

Preferred Qualifications

• A degree or professional background in engineering (mechanical, electrical, biomedical, systems, or a related discipline). Former engineers who moved into program management are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Experience in a regulated industry, such as medical devices, life sciences, or pharma logistics, including familiarity with quality management systems or design controls.
• Experience with products that combine hardware, embedded firmware, and cloud software.
• Experience defining KPIs and SLAs that drive multi‑million‑dollar businesses, and reporting to senior leadership.
• Experience in an early‑stage or high‑growth company, where you build process from the ground up.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. Ember LifeSciences is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa (such as H-1B) for this position, now or in the future.

• Ember LifeSciences is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.