Overview

Enablence is a leader in optical design and manufacturing for planar lightwave circuits (PLC), delivering optical chips for datacom, telecom, LiDAR, OCT, and accelerated computing for AI workloads.

As we ramp production volumes and enter new high-growth markets, we are seeking a Sr. Project Manager to establish, drive, and own our New Product Introduction (NPI) governance and operational capability ramps across the Fremont cleanroom floor. This is not an administrative tracking role—you will be the operational engine driving products from design handoff to high-volume manufacturing (HVM), institutionalizing structured Gate Reviews, enforcing PDRLs, closing technical spec gaps, and leading structured root-cause problem solving on the shop floor.

Responsibilities

NPI Governance & Gate Reviews

Design, implement, and institutionalize a formal Stage-Gate NPI framework tailored to PLC/semiconductor wafer fabrication and back-end assembly.
Define and enforce the Program Deliverables Requirements List (PDRL) across engineering, fab ops, quality, and supply chain, holding deliverable owners accountable to non-negotiable exit criteria.
Chair formal Phase-Gate Reviews (Concept through Mass Production Release), managing gate sign-offs, conditional approvals, and executive risk visibility.

Technical Execution & Spec Gap Analysis

Partner with optical designers, process integration engineers, and product engineers to conduct rigorous Spec Gap Analyses at early build stages.
Map customer optical/electrical functional requirements against inline fab capabilities (e.g., insertion loss, uniformity, wafer yield), driving engineering actions to close variance prior to production tooling freeze.
Track critical parameters through Design of Experiments (DOE) and process capability evaluations ($C_{pk}$).

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

Drive cross-functional engineering and manufacturing teams through structured 8D methodologies for critical yield crashes, inline process excursions, and customer returns.
Facilitate hands-on Kaizen events on the cleanroom floor to identify operational bottlenecks, streamline operator handoffs, and optimize tool utilization and cycle times.
Work with Quality leads to integrate standard FMEAs (dFMEA / pFMEA), Control Plans, and SOPs into routine production handoffs.

Program Tooling & Operational Rhythm

Select, configure, and roll out Project Management software (e.g., Jira, Smartsheet, Monday.com) to provide real-time dashboarding for multi-project pipelines, resource loading, and PDRL milestone tracking.
Manage critical external dependencies, including substrate suppliers, capital equipment vendors, and OSAT packaging partners, ensuring alignment with customer delivery schedules.
Own the program de-escalation process: identify schedule slip or yield margin risk early, lead recovery planning, and communicate transparently with executive stakeholders.

Qualifications

5+ years of Project/Program Management experience directly within semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, or photonics/optical fabrication cleanrooms.
Proven track record of building or overhauling an NPI Stage-Gate framework from the ground up in a hardware manufacturing environment.
Hands-on experience creating and enforcing a Program Deliverables Requirements List (PDRL) across complex cross-functional teams.
Strong working knowledge of parametric and product-level Spec Gap Analysis (translating customer specs into manufacturing process windows).
Demonstrated mastery of 8D problem-solving (leading D3 containment through D8 closure) and facilitating shop-floor Kaizen initiatives.
Demonstrated experience implementing or configuring PM software tools across an engineering organization.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline; PMP, Lean, or Six Sigma Black Belt is a strong plus.

Pay: $105,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline? (Yes/No)
This position requires working on-site in Fremont, CA. Are you able to reliably commute or relocate? (Yes/No)
Do you have 5+ years of Project/Program Management experience operating directly inside semiconductor fabrication, photonics/optics manufacturing, or advanced microelectronics packaging environments?
Do you have a proven track record leading hardware products through formal Stage-Gate lifecycles (Concept, EVT, DVT, PVT, Mass Production release) with strict gate review enforcement?
Do you have experience building, maintaining, and driving cross-functional accountability around a Program Deliverables Requirements List (PDRL)?
Do you have experience driving Spec Gap Analysis between product design targets and cleanroom process capability windows (e.g., parametric yields, physical tolerances, process margins)?

Work Location: In person

Enablence USA Components, Inc jobs

Sr. Project Manager – NPI & Manufacturing Excellence

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