Senior Program Manager, Photonics

Job Title

Senior Program Manager, Photonics

Role Summary

Technical program lead responsible for productizing photonics modules through qualification, manufacturing readiness, and volume production. Focus areas include firmware integration, packaging, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and supply chain enablement.

Coordinates internal engineering teams, contract manufacturers, and suppliers to manage schedules, risks, and deliverables for production ramp.

Experience Level

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

Responsibilities

Drive cross-functional execution to bring photonic modules from feasibility to volume production.

• Lead transition of photonics modules to volume production, including firmware integration and verification.
• Define product requirements for firmware, cost, reliability, manufacturability, and supply chain scalability.
• Coordinate integration across design, firmware, packaging, test, and operations teams.
• Manage suppliers and contract manufacturers to ensure manufacturing processes, firmware validation, test flows, and quality systems support scale.
• Oversee program schedules, risk tracking, and execution plans; escalate and resolve cross-functional blockers.
• Partner with supply chain and operations to optimize sourcing, cost structure, and vendor capacity.
• Lead module-level qualification, including firmware and electrical/optical validation to meet customer and industry reliability standards.
• Serve as primary contact for leadership on product readiness and decision-making.

Requirements

Must-have:

• 5+ years in product engineering, technical program management, or module-level product ownership in optics, semiconductors, or high-speed hardware.
• Proven track record transitioning hardware products from feasibility to qualified, volume-manufactured products, 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 to achieve 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 related field) required or equivalent technical education.

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.