Senior Program Manager, Photonics

Job Title

Senior Program Manager, Photonics

Role Summary

Technical Program Manager responsible for productizing photonics modules from qualification through manufacturing readiness into volume production. The role coordinates cross-functional engineering teams, contract manufacturers, and suppliers to deliver manufacturable, reliable, and cost-effective photonic products.

Experience Level

Senior — 5+ years of experience in product engineering, technical program management, or module-level product ownership in optics, semiconductors, or high-speed hardware.

Responsibilities

Drive program execution and product readiness for photonic modules, with emphasis on firmware, manufacturability, reliability, packaging, and supply chain enablement.

• Own the transition of photonics modules from feasibility to volume production, including firmware integration and verification.
• Define and drive product requirements for firmware, cost, reliability, manufacturability, and supply chain scalability.
• Coordinate integration across design, firmware, packaging, test, electrical, thermal, and mechanical teams.
• Manage engagement with suppliers and contract manufacturers to establish manufacturing processes, firmware validation, test flows, and quality systems.
• Oversee program schedules, risk tracking, and execution plans; escalate and resolve blockers across cross-functional teams.
• Partner with supply chain and operations to optimize sourcing, cost structure, and vendor capacity.
• Lead module-level qualification, including firmware and electrical/optical validation, and ensure compliance with customer and industry reliability standards.
• Provide leadership updates and serve as a key point of contact for product readiness decisions.

Requirements

Key qualifications and skills required to perform this role.

Must-have:

• 5+ years experience in product engineering, technical program management, or module-level product ownership in optics, semiconductors, or high-speed hardware.
• Proven track record moving hardware products from design feasibility to qualified, volume-manufactured production, including firmware integration.
• Strong understanding of reliability, thermal, mechanical, packaging, firmware, and manufacturing considerations for photonic/electronic modules.
• Experience working with external suppliers and contract manufacturers on production readiness.
• Strong program management skills: planning, risk management, and cross-functional leadership.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with optical transceivers or photonics modules.
• Familiarity with cost modeling, DFx (Design for Manufacturability/Test/Reliability), and supplier qualification.
• Experience managing cross-functional engineering projects across optics design, thermal management, electronics, firmware, and process engineering.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Materials, Computer Science, or a related field).

About the Company

Company: Xscape Photonics

Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States

Developer of integrated photonics solutions and instrumentation, specializing in photonic circuits, control systems, and test methodologies for optical communication and sensing applications. Works on device integration, control algorithms, and validation of photonic hardware and firmware.