Hardware Engineering Operations / Manufacturing, AVP

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership, Strategy & CM/ODM Partnership - Lead Astera Labs' hardware engineering operations and manufacturing organization across SCM, AEC, evaluation boards, AI Chassis-class systems, and ODM programs
• Own day-to-day partnership with contract manufacturers across China and the rest of Asia — driving cadence, accountability, and site ramps from qualification through full production maturity
• Manage ODM engagements for switch trays, CEM cards, chassis-based systems, and adjacent products, navigating the differences from traditional CM models
• Partner with Hardware Engineering, Product, Supply Chain, and Quality leaders, and represent hardware operations in executive reviews

New Product Introduction (NPI) & Advanced Manufacturing

• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews on early product designs to validate completeness and manufacturability before release to the floor
• Lead production scaling — estimating costs, production times, and staffing requirements for new designs
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation for new manufacturing processes and engineering procedures

Process & Sustaining Engineering

• Design factory layouts and analyze workflows to achieve maximum production efficiency
• Troubleshoot operational bottlenecks and investigate material use variances directly on the assembly line
• Conduct ongoing time and cost analyses to identify waste reduction and lean manufacturing improvements

Test Engineering

• Architect test parameters for finished products to validate they meet exact process requirements
• Coordinate the design, procurement, build, and debug of automated test equipment
• Test products to identify anomalies and ensure compliance with functional and safety standards

Product Engineering (Manufacturing Focus)

• Lead failure analysis using statistical methods and recommend changes in designs, tolerances, or processing methods
• Apply root-cause fixes to prevent reoccurrence of product problems involving existing designs or materials
• Monitor and analyze operational data to evaluate product performance and drive technical design changes that improve yield

Tooling & Automation

• Assess, select, and schedule installation of manufacturing machinery and industrial processing systems
• Design and implement custom jigs, fixtures, and manufacturing aids for daily assembly
• Apply automation techniques and robotics programming to improve workflow and reduce manual labor