About the role

The Engineering Program Manager partners with the VP of Engineering to translate roadmaps into structured execution plans and milestones. They drive cross-functional collaboration across hardware, software, and systems teams to ensure programs are delivered from concept through production.

What they look for

Technical program management Engineering roadmaps Cross-functional coordination Microsoft Project Smartsheet JIRA Confluence New Product Introduction Hardware systems Software systems Electro-mechanical systems Optical hardware Resource planning Risk mitigation Change management Stakeholder management

Requirements

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline and possess at least 5 years of relevant technical program management experience. Proficiency in project management tools and experience with New Product Introduction in hardware environments are required.

Full description

Job Title/Code: Engineering Program Manager Job Code: EPM

Department: Engineering

Reports To: VP of Engineering

Job Type: Full Time, Exempt

Location: Concord, CA; Tinley Park, IL

Position Summary:

The Engineering Program Manager (EPM) serves as the primary execution partner to the VP of Engineering, translating organizational priorities and engineering roadmaps into structured, delivered programs. This role owns the schedules, dependencies, milestones, and cross-functional coordination required to keep EMCORE's engineering programs - spanning hardware, software, and systems - on track from concept through production. The EPM works closely with engineering leadership, Sales, Business Unit Managers (BUMs), Operations, and Finance stakeholders. The EPM partners directly with the VP of Engineering on prioritization, resourcing, and program-level decision-making. This is a highly cross-functional, execution-focused role suited to a proactive, detail-oriented professional who thrives on turning ambiguity into structured, actionable plans, and delivering real results.

Key Responsibilities:

Partner directly with the VP of Engineering to translate engineering roadmaps into concrete execution plans, release milestones, and tangible deliverables.

Drive multi-discipline engineering coordination and cross-functional collaboration with BUMs, Sales, Operations, and Finance to progress engineering deliverables.

Support innovation of new products by facilitating the transition from design through prototype, validation, and into production.

Implement productivity improvements to the engineering design process, tools, and templates.

Define and maintain integrated program schedules, milestones, and critical path across concurrent engineering initiatives, ensuring clear structure and scope from kickoff through delivery.

Partner with functional managers to evaluate resource demands and drive staffing plans, cost estimates, and resource utilization across competing priorities.

Surface program risks early and drive practical, timely mitigation plans.

Own program documentation, change-management records, and status reporting, including structured reviews with engineering leadership and executive stakeholders

Support duties at both EMCORE Business Units: Concord, CA and Tinley Park, IL.

Other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

5+ years of technical program management or relevant engineering experience with integrated hardware/software products or systems.

Demonstrated ability to build and manage schedules, identify critical path constraints in tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, JIRA, or Confluence.

Strong bias for action with ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Hands-on experience in design, development, integration, or test of electro-mechanical and optical hardware systems.

Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI), including prototype build cycles and transition into manufacturing.

Sharp analytical and organizational skills, with rigorous attention to detail and documentation accuracy.

Skilled communicator and negotiator, able to bridge deep technical detail with executive-level strategy.

Strong leadership presence, with history of directing high-performing teams.

Robust knowledge and use of Microsoft applications.

Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident) in accordance with U.S. export control regulations.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with scripting (Python, SQL) or data visualization tools to automate program metrics and performance tracking.

Prior experience supporting programs in a regulated or export-controlled environment (aerospace, defense, or similar).

Proven success operating in a high-growth or fast-paced hardware engineering environment.

Salary: This position offers a salary range of $150,000 to $175,000K annually, depending on the candidate's experience, skill set and overall qualification.

*This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. Emcore reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

*ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

Separate from employment eligibility (Form I-9), U.S. export license requirements may apply before the Company can provide certain non- "U.S. persons" with access to specific technology, software and hardware that may be necessary for a position. As such, this position may require ITAR or EAR clearance.

Emcore LLC is a Federal Contractor and requires any candidate offered employment to submit to a background check when a job offer is accepted.