Technical Program Manager with supply chain

Job Description
Must Have Technical/Functional Skills
 Seeking a Technical Program Manager (TPM) with a solid background in managing hardware programs, supplier quality,
and supply chain operations.   Prior experience working in hardware companies managing operations, supply chain,
supplier coordination and able to work independently.  
Prior experience in Optics, both at a component level technologies and stakeholder perception, is
essential, as this role involves navigating complex supplier relationships and ensuring alignment across engineering,
quality, and operations teams.

Required:
• Experience managing overseas contract manufacturing and day to day execution.  
• Experience in optics, lens assembly, or semiconductor supply chains.
• Experience in high-complexity manufacturing environments where precision assembly is critical.
• Good understanding of optics and the underlying physics, including experience with optical components, systems integration, and how optical performance impacts hardware design.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers and CMs, balancing timelines, logistics, and deliverables.
• Comfortable working without step-by-step direction; thrives in environments with unclear paths and evolving priorities.
• Experience with logistics or international supply chain workflows.
• Exposure to supplier evaluation, OEM selection, and contract manufacturing models.
• Direct involvement in hardware supply chain management, especially around PCB and PCBA builds.
• Strong understanding of contract manufacturing, component sourcing, BOM structure, and cost drivers.
• Some basic hands-on experience and knowledge of testing and manufacturing processes.

Some additional good to have skills:  
• Familiarity with Zemax, or CodeV, basic understanding of optical manufacturing and alignment of optical systems.


Roles & Responsibilities
 
• To be the primary point of contact for hardware supply chain projects, from component sourcing through delivery, in low-volume, high-complexity builds, particularly in optics and semiconductor manufacturing.
• Be flexible to work odd hours for supporting overseas CMs at times such as early mornings or late evenings.  
• Engage in lens assembly workflows and ensure precision in component integration.
• Own supplier engagement: travel to manufacturing sites, build relationships with contract manufacturers (CMs), and manage onsite production support when needed.
• Handle purchasing, PO tracking, and coordination of Bill of Materials (BOMs) and hardware readiness.
• Monitor and manage supplier performance across quality, cost, and delivery metrics; maintain supplier scorecards.
• Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, and operations teams to track hardware development schedules and resolve cross-functional blockers.
• Collaborate with Engineering change management teams for revision updates to documentation etc.,
• Navigate ambiguity in fast-paced environments by taking high-level objectives and independently defining the steps to execute.