Staff/ Senior Staff Technical Program Manager (Hardware Systems)

Join Lightmatter as a Senior Staff Technical Program Manager (Hardware Systems). In this hands-on role, you will drive program execution across the Hardware Systems team, managing schedules, resource planning, priorities, and cross-functional alignment. You will work closely with internal teams and external partners to keep programs on track from early design through production. Your scope will cover the full hardware development lifecycle, and you will serve as the team's primary program interface to broader organizational programs. This position requires strong program management fundamentals and a working knowledge of hardware engineering.

• Drive program execution across Lightmatter's Hardware Systems team, including schedules, resource planning, priorities, and cross-functional alignment.
• Manage dependencies and trade-offs across concurrent workstreams, facilitate alignment across internal and external stakeholders, and maintain program visibility for engineering leadership.
• Coordinate material flow within the HW Systems team, track component orders, PCB fab runs, PCBA and mechanical assemblies, and engineering samples.

• Strong bias for action—consistently closes loops, follows up independently, and identifies potential slips before they impact project timelines
• Hands-on experience with material flow, component tracking, and BOM management
• Skilled facilitator who drives productive meetings, captures critical context, and ensures action items are owned and closed
• Expert in project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Smartsheet, or equivalent platforms
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field
• Proven experience coordinating with contract manufacturers (CMs) and ODMs to manage schedules, track deliverables, and resolve open issues
• 5+ years of program management experience in hardware engineering, with direct exposure to electrical and mechanical development cycles
• Thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments; proactively creates structure and drives clarity without waiting for complete information
• Strong written and verbal communicator, comfortable presenting program status and risk assessments to engineering leads and executives
• Deep familiarity with hardware development processes and terminology across the full lifecycle—including PCBA and mechanical enclosures, PCB fabrication, system integration, bring-up, EVT/DVT/PVT, and production—enabling clear communication with engineers and vendors
• Proven track record managing concurrent engineering programs with shared resources and overlapping timelines
• Experience managing programs for complex hardware development
• Experience defining and improving program management processes in a startup or new business unit