PROGRAM MANAGER V-DDN

About the role

The Program Manager, Optical Connectivity is responsible for driving planning, execution, and delivery of optical connectivity programs supporting DDN's AI / hyperscale customers and ecosystem partners. This role coordinates cross-functional execution across Engineering, Product Management, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Quality, Finance, Operations, and customer-facing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution for assigned programs from concept/pre-sale through NPI execution, validation, and production readiness.
• Maintain a clear program plan of record covering scope, schedule, deliverables, risks, dependencies, and key decisions through a concise dashboard.
• Apply Agile principles where appropriate to support rapid learning, fast decision-making, iteration, and parallel-path execution.
• Track program milestones, dependencies, risks, issues, decisions, and actions with clear ownership and follow-through.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across Product Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Quality, Finance, Operations, and customer-facing teams.
• Proactively identify risks, gaps, and blockers; drive mitigation plans, recovery actions, and timely escalation where needed.
• Facilitate effective program reviews and working sessions focused on decisions, actions, blockers, and next steps.
• Support customer milestone alignment by connecting customer needs with internal execution plans, sample readiness, validation, and manufacturing readiness.

Requirements

• Execution-driven: Focuses on outcomes, commitments, risk closure, and measurable progress.
• Independent operator: Works with limited direction and moves work forward through ambiguity.
• Naturally curious: Learns optics technologies, customer applications, manufacturing processes, tools, and business context.
• Agile mindset: Comfortable with iteration, changing priorities, parallel-path execution, and fast decision cycles.
• Risk sensor: Detects weak signals, schedule risk, dependency risk, resource gaps, and misalignment early.
• Action-oriented: Converts issues into action plans, owners, dates, and follow-up mechanisms.
• Structured planner: Builds clear schedules, milestone maps, trackers, dashboards, and execution routines.
• Influential collaborator: Drives accountability across functions without relying on direct authority.
• Crisp communicator: Provides clear, concise, fact-based updates for working teams, leaders, and customer-facing stakeholders.
• Constructive challenger: Willing to ask difficult questions, challenge unclear status, and push for decisions.

Core Competencies

• Strategy
• Execution
• Talent (for managers)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field required; technical degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in program management, technical program management, engineering program management, manufacturing program management, or related roles; 10+ years preferred.
• Experience in optical connectivity, high-speed interconnect, electronics, semiconductor, hardware, manufacturing, or AI / hyperscale infrastructure environments preferred.
• Familiarity with Agile methodology, Scrum, Kanban, or iterative development practices preferred.
• Proven track record of driving cross-functional teams to deliver measurable results, not simply documenting status or meeting notes.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Project or other commercial program management tools such as Asana, Smartsheet, Jira, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of product development, NPI, validation, manufacturing readiness, and production ramp processes.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment with shifting priorities and aggressive customer timelines.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• PMP, Agile, Scrum, Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent certification preferred but not required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), disability, life insurance, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off and voluntary benefits.

Pay

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $136,000 - $172,000 (subject to change dependent on physical location)

Schedule

This position reports to the Sr. Program Manager, Optical Connectivity. This position is 100% on-site at the Rochester, NY facility.