Principal Program Manager

Job Title

Principal Program Manager

Role Summary

Lead end-to-end program management for custom IC product development from planning through mass production, working within Renesas' Power Division. Coordinate cross-functional teams including customers, software, marketing, engineering, finance, sales and suppliers to deliver programs on schedule.

Experience Level

Senior — typically more than 8 years in program or project management roles in technical environments.

Responsibilities

Manage and drive program execution, reporting, and risk mitigation across complex hardware development projects.

• Plan and drive product development from planning to mass production (MP) on schedule.
• Define and lock program scope, strategy, schedule, budget, and major execution commitments.
• Establish bottoms-up plans, dependency maps, critical path analyses and mitigation plans using standard planning tools.
• Monitor progress, report status regularly, and escalate issues to senior management as needed.
• Serve as escalation point for unresolved functional and logistical issues.
• Coordinate and conduct project gate reviews and program meetings.
• Ensure meeting cadence and follow-up on action items to resolve open issues.
• Collaborate across internal teams and external suppliers to remove blockers and support execution.

Requirements

Core skills and experience required; items marked "Nice-to-have" are preferred but not mandatory.

• Must-have: 8+ years in program/project coordination for technical product development.
• Must-have: Solid technical background with understanding or hands-on experience in hardware development.
• Must-have: Proven ability to plan and manage complex, cross-functional projects.
• Must-have: Excellent interpersonal, client-facing, written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Must-have: Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask.
• Must-have: Advanced skills in Microsoft Project and Office 365 for planning and tracking.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with Atlassian JIRA and Confluence.
• Nice-to-have: PMP or PMA certification.

Education Requirements

BS or MS in Engineering (or equivalent) with emphasis on project execution. PMP/PMA certification is a plus; equivalent practical experience is acceptable.

About the Company

Company: Renesas

Headquarters: Hitachinaka, Japan

Renesas is a global leader in embedded semiconductor solutions, providing high-quality products across automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT sectors. With over 22,000 employees in more than 30 countries, the company focuses on scalable solutions that enhance user experience and drive innovation while committed to sustainability and energy efficiency.