Program/Project Manager

About the Role

Serve as the primary program lead for customer technology development and technology transfer initiatives. This role is a critical asset to the organization, responsible for coordinating cross-functional teams, managing program execution, mitigating risk, and ensuring commitments are achieved on time and within budget while supporting the company's revenue growth and profitability objectives.

• Lead cross-functional teams spanning process engineering, equipment engineering, wafer integration, characterization, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and operations.
• Establish and manage integrated program schedules, technical milestones, budgets, risks, and customer deliverables.
• Drive technology readiness, qualification, and manufacturing transfer activities from concept through production release.
• Coordinate internal and external technical reviews and ensure alignment between customer requirements and execution plans.
• Develop and maintain risk registers, mitigation plans, action-item tracking, and executive-level reporting.
• Drive customer communication, expectations, and deliverables throughout the development lifecycle.
• Identify program risks early and implement mitigation strategies to ensure successful outcomes.
• Support proposal development, statements of work, contract deliverables, business development activities, and customer visits.
• Manage scope changes, change control processes, and technology readiness assessments.
• Provide regular executive-level updates on program status, key risks, resource requirements, and customer commitments.

Requirements

We are looking for a Technical Program Manager with the following attributes:

• Experience bridging engineering, manufacturing, operations, and customer organizations.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and drive alignment without direct authority.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable engaging with customers, executive leadership, and technical subject matter experts.
• Demonstrated success leading complex new product introduction, technology development, qualification, or technology transfer programs.
• Ability to balance technical depth with strong commercial and customer-facing skills.
• Proven problem-solving, risk management, and decision-making capabilities.
• Thrives in dynamic environments and effectively manages ambiguity, changing priorities, and multiple stakeholders.
• Passion for continuous improvement and delivering measurable business results.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Science, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of project or program management experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects in a technical or manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with project management tools, planning methodologies, and reporting systems.
• Strong communication, presentation, and customer relationship management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MS, MBA, or PhD) in Engineering, Business, Physics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of program or project management experience in semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or related industries.
• Experience managing semiconductor technology development, process qualification, manufacturing transfer, or NPI programs.
• Understanding of wafer fabrication processes, process integration, yield improvement, and qualification methodologies.
• Experience working with external customers, strategic technology partners, or government-funded development programs.
• Proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary engineering teams in a fast-paced development environment.
• Strong risk management, contract deliverable tracking, and customer relationship management skills.
• Familiarity with stage-gate development processes or similar program management frameworks.
• PMP certification or equivalent project/program management training.
• Experience managing customer-driven R&D, technology commercialization, or technology transfer programs.

This position may require U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency status in the future depending on federal requirements.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Annual bonus.
• Tuition reimbursement.

Pay

The estimated base salary range for the position is $88,000-$170,000. The pay offered is based on many factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, job-related experience, skills, and level of the position.

About the Location

Our offices and manufacturing facility are located in Bloomington, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. Living in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area offers a strong sense of community, a vibrant arts and music scene, and abundant outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts a lower cost of living than many major metros, excellent parks and lakes, and a well-educated workforce with diverse job opportunities. Its distinct seasons bring variety, from colorful autumns to lively summers filled with festivals and waterfront activities.