Technical Program Manager, Hardware

Karman, Inc.; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k match

Flexible PTO

Dental and vision insurance

Job summary

Karman, Inc. in Ann Arbor, MI, seeks a seasoned hardware-focused Program Manager to lead cross-functional teams across hardware design, prototyping, EVT/DVT/PVT, and manufacturing transitions.

The role emphasizes agile practices and close collaboration with product, engineering, and operations to ensure on-time delivery. The candidate will drive program processes, manage risks, and coordinate with remote teams while traveling up to 10%.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of program or project management in hardware-focused environments.
• Experience managing hardware development including form factor design, prototyping, EVT/DVT/PVT cycles, and manufacturing transitions.
• Technical background in hardware engineering or product development with IoT or remote hardware devices and embedded software.
• Ability to translate market requirements into hardware specifications with product teams.
• Proven ability to apply agile methods to hardware for rapid iteration.
• Proven ability to manage multiple hardware programs in a fast-paced setting.
• Excellent communication, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Experience coordinating with operations and manufacturing to drive hardware into production.
• Proficiency with Jira, Trello, or Microsoft Project.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%

Responsibilities

• Define, implement, and optimize program management processes for hardware development.
• Coordinate across teams to manage risks around component availability and manufacturing defects.
• Develop and monitor project plans, timelines, and metrics.
• Champion agile practices adapted for hardware.
• Collaborate with engineering, product management, and operations to define requirements and priorities.
• Drive adoption of tools and frameworks for better project tracking and communication.
• Track and report key program metrics like timelines and risk mitigation.
• Facilitate cross-team alignment to resolve bottlenecks and dependencies.

Skills

Hardware program mgmt

Cross-functional leadership

Agile hardware

Communication

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Jira Trello Project

Education

Master's degree in Electrical/Mechanical Eng

Tools

Jira

Trello

Microsoft Project

Job description

Karman is a fast-growing NVIDIA-backed AI company enabling AI data centers to dynamically orchestrate power and unlock more compute capacity from existing energy infrastructure. For over a decade, we have applied AI to the electric grid, bringing real-time visibility and power-flow control to complex energy infrastructure. Our Karman platform, built on a custom NVIDIA module, brings that same capability to AI data centers, giving operators a way to better use the power already available to them. This position is based onsite at our company headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with flexibility for occasional remote work. Candidates will be expected to collaborate cross-functionally with remote teams based across the country.

Responsibilities

• Define, implement, and optimize program management processes to enhance cross-functional collaboration and delivery efficiency, with a primary focus on the design, prototyping, and development of new hardware form factors
• Coordinate across multiple internal and external teams to manage risks around component availability, form factor feasibility, manufacturing defects, and physical testing
• Develop and monitor project plans, timelines, and performance metrics to ensure alignment with organizational and market objectives
• Champion agile best practices adapted for hardware development, enabling the team to iterate quickly and respond to a fast-moving and growing market
• Collaborate with engineering, product management, and operations teams to define technical requirements, priorities, and resource allocation across hardware programs
• Drive the adoption of tools and frameworks that improve project tracking, stakeholder communication, and overall program delivery
• Track and report on key program metrics, such as delivery timelines, prototype iteration cycles, priority shifts, resource utilization, and risk mitigation efforts
• Facilitate communication and alignment across teams to identify and resolve bottlenecks, dependencies, and conflicts

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in program or project management in a hardware-focused technical environment, or a combination of educational and professional experience commensurate with this level
• Strong hands-on experience managing hardware development projects, including form factor design, prototyping, EVT/DVT/PVT cycles, and manufacturing transitions
• Technical background in hardware engineering or product development, including experience with IoT and/or remote hardware devices with embedded software
• Demonstrated ability to work directly with product teams to translate market requirements into hardware specifications
• Proven ability to apply agile methodologies in a hardware context, adapting processes to support rapid iteration in a dynamic and growing market
• Proven ability to manage multiple hardware programs simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Experience coordinating with operations and manufacturing teams to drive hardware products into production
• Proficiency in project management tools such as Jira, Trello, or Microsoft Project
• Willingness to travel up to 10% of time

Enhanced Qualifications (Nice to Have)

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical or business discipline
• Certifications such as PMP, CSM, or SAFe Agile
• Technical background or hands-on experience in software development or engineering
• Experience with consumer or industrial hardware form factor development across multiple product generations
• Familiarity with supply chain management and contract manufacturer (CM) relationships
• Experience managing cloud-connected or large-scale IoT hardware deployments
• Familiarity with data analytics, machine learning, or AI-driven product initiatives

Salary Range:

$125,000 to $160,000 base compensation depending on experience plus stock options. Salary will be commensurate with an individual's skills, training, years of experience, and in line with internal compensation bands.

Location:

This position is based onsite at our company headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with flexibility for occasional remote work.

Our Commitments:

Karman values the diversity of our team. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or childbirth, sexual orientation, genetics, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.

We are committed to:

• Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is welcoming, supportive, affirming and respectful
• Empowering employees to solve problems and work together to make a difference
• Providing mentorship and growth opportunities as part of a collaborative team
• A flexible work environment with flexible paid time off
• Competitive compensation and benefits, including health, dental, vision, and employer-match 401k