Job Overview

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.

This is an exciting time to join the Optical Connectivity team. We are at the forefront of the AI data center connectivity transformation, where next-generation optical solutions are becoming increasingly critical to enabling higher bandwidth, faster system performance, and scalable AI infrastructure. As customer requirements move faster and system complexity increases, strong program leadership is essential to translate opportunity into execution.

This role requires a hands-on program leader who can operate with speed, agility, curiosity, and ownership in a fast-changing environment. The successful candidate must be comfortable working through ambiguity, learning new technologies quickly, identifying risks early, and driving actions to closure without waiting for detailed direction.

**THIS POSITION IS 100% ON-SITE AT THE ROCHEST FACILITY**

This position reports to the Sr. Program Manager, Optical Connectivity.

Job Requirements

• Lead planning and execution for assigned programs from concept / pre-sale through NPI execution, validation, and production readiness.
• Build and maintain integrated program schedules using Microsoft Project or other commercial program management tools such as Asana, Jira, or equivalent.
• 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

   

  Core Competencies

  • 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.
  • High 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.

What your background should look like

• 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.

Competencies