
Principal Product Engineering Program Manager
Required skills
- hardware development
- mechanical
- electrical
- module
- photonics systems
- firmware
- cross-functional
- scope
- schedule
- budget
Nice to have
- creative
- flexible
- comfortable with ambiguity
- comfortable with change
Role summary
A Principal Product Engineering Program Manager is needed to build foundational engineering practices in a fast-paced startup environment. This role involves leading cross-functional hardware development programs (mechanical, electrical, software, firmware, photonics), managing scope, schedule, and budget, and identifying/mitigating risks. The position requires close partnership with supply chain and vendors for on-time delivery, and managing matrixed teams through challenges. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in engineering, a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in hardware project engineering or product management, and a strong understanding of structured development processes. Experience in a hardware development startup is a plus. The role requires comfort with ambiguity and a hands-on, self-starter mentality.
Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Principal Product Engineering Program Manager. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement engineering practices that support our mission and growth. This role sits on the Reliability Engineering and Product team. Your key responsibilities are as follows:
- Leads cross-functional engineering development programs spanning mechanical, electrical, module, photonics systems, software, and firmware teams, driving day-to-day execution.
- Maintains the scope, schedule, and budget for photonics hardware development activities.
- Identifies risks and unblocks engineering teams to ensure projects remain on schedule and budget.
- Partners well with supply chain, tracking long-lead items, part availability, and vendor commitments against the build schedule. Works directly with vendors and supply chain team members to ensure on-time delivery.
- Manages matrixed technical team and vendors through schedule bottlenecks, uncertainty, lack of information and sudden changes, while screening team from external turbulence and assuring productivity and focus on success.
- Provides technical, logistical and problem-solving leadership, develops and employs best engineering program management practices. Anticipates risks and identifies opportunities.
- Responsible for project execution per internally and customer defined processes, reaching, documenting and defending project milestones: requirement, design and test readiness reviews, integration and test events, test reports, installation and support activities.
- This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).
Experience:
- A Ph.D. in an engineering field.
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in hardware project engineering or hardware engineering product management.
- Experience in a hardware development startup environment is a plus.
Skills:
- Proven record of successfully leading a hardware development project using structured development process.
- Fluency driving actions across mechanical, electrical, software, and firmware disciplines.
- Ability to execute projects independently or in partnership with third party contract manufacturers.
Startup Mindset:
- You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
- You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.
The expected annual salary range for this position is $175,000-$225,000.
As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
- Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
- 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
- 13 paid company holidays
- 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)
Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.
Similar roles
Senior Technician Fiber Optic ProcessMonarch Quantum · San Diego, CA · Onsite
Principal Electrical and Firmware Systems ArchitectMonarch Quantum · San Diego, CA · Onsite
Manager Residential Operations (Program Manager)AbleLight · St. Louis, MO · Onsite- Legal Program ManagerOpenAI · San Francisco, CA · Hybrid
- Senior Development Program Manager (Data Center Construction)QTS Data Centers · Fayetteville, GA · Onsite
Program Manager Burn Program - Full Time DaysNewYork-Presbyterian Hospital · United States · Onsite
