Program Manager

The Program Manager will lead the technical and operational readiness for a new manufacturing facility, driving equipment installation, process setup, qualification, and production ramp. This role ensures the factory achieves safe, efficient, and high-quality output through strong cross-functional coordination and engineering leadership.

Key Responsibilities

1. Factory Start-Up & Ramp Execution

• Lead end-to-end engineering activities for new factory setup (facility readiness, equipment installation, and commissioning)
• Drive qualification processes  to ensure production readiness
• Establish and execute ramp plan to meet output, yield, and quality targets
• Identify and mitigate technical risks during start-up phase

2. Process & Equipment Engineering

• Define, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes
• Oversee equipment selection, installation, calibration, and validation
• Ensure process capability (CPK), cycle time, and efficiency targets are achieved
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and yield

3. Cross-Functional Coordination

• Act as primary engineering interface with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Facilities, and EHS
• Align timelines and deliverables across teams to meet ramp milestones
• Support supplier engagement and technical issue resolution

4. Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing engineering team
• Define roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations
• Coach engineers on problem-solving, root cause analysis, and technical skills
• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and collaboration

5. Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with internal standards and external regulations
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)
• Support audits and ensure documentation readiness

6. Safety & Risk Management

• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to EHS requirements
• Conduct risk assessments for new processes and equipment
• Ensure safe startup and operation of all systems

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Key Deliverables / KPIs

• On-time factory readiness and successful production ramp
• Yield, throughput, and cycle time targets achieved
• Equipment uptime and process capability metrics
• Zero major safety incidents
• Team capability development and retention

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or related)

• 8–12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with startup/ramp experience preferred
• Proven track record in equipment installation, qualification, and process development
• Strong leadership experience managing engineering teams
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing environments (e.g., electronics, semiconductor, HDD media, etc.)