We are seeking an experienced and highly driven Senior Hardware NPI Program Manager to lead the successful introduction of next-generation hardware products from concept through volume production. In this role, you will partner cross-functionally with Hardware Engineering, Operations, Product Management, and Quality teams to ensure flawless execution of product launches. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of managing complex hardware programs, driving schedules and deliverables across global teams, and enabling a seamless transition from development to scalable manufacturing. There will also be opportunities to manage internal HW,SW and Operational projects with partners.
This is a great opportunity to be part of one of the fastest-growing infrastructure companies in history, an organization that is in the center of the hurricane being created by the revolution in artificial intelligence.
VAST Data is the data platform company for the AI era. We are building the enterprise software infrastructure to capture, catalog, refine, enrich, and protect massive datasets and make them available for real-time data analysis and AI training and inference. Designed from the ground up to make AI simple to deploy and manage, VAST takes the cost and complexity out of deploying enterprise and AI infrastructure across data center, edge, and cloud.
Our success has been built through intense innovation, a customer-first mentality and a team of fearless VASTronauts who leverage their skills & experiences to make real market impact. This is an opportunity to be a key contributor at a pivotal time in our company’s growth and at a pivotal point in computing history.
Key Responsibilities
Own and drive the end-to-end NPI program lifecycle for hardware products, from concept through ramp to sustaining to EOL
Develop, manage, and track detailed project plans, schedules, risks, and dependencies across multiple functions and suppliers
Partner with Engineering to translate product requirements into manufacturable designs and processes
Coordinate with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Quality to ensure suppliers and factories are ready for builds and scale
Lead cross-functional meetings, program reviews, and executive updates to communicate status, risks, and recovery actions
Proactively identify program risks, define mitigation strategies, and drive accountability for execution
Ensure manufacturing readiness by leading build events (EVT, DVT, PVT, MP) and ensuring exit criteria are met at each stage
Align stakeholders across engineering, operations, and customer support for smooth product release into the field
Continuously improve NPI processes and best practices to increase efficiency and scalability
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Program Management, or related technical field; Master’s preferred
8+ years of experience in program management with a focus on hardware NPI, manufacturing, or complex hardware development
Strong background in hardware manufacturing processes (PCBA, system integration, mechanical assemblies, cables, etc.)
Proven ability to manage large, cross-functional, global programs with multiple suppliers and stakeholders
Experience leading build phases (EVT/DVT/PVT/MP) and driving readiness across engineering and operations teams
Solid understanding of product lifecycle management (PLM) systems and NPI frameworks
Excellent communication and executive presentation skills; able to clearly articulate program status, risks, and priorities
Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail and urgency in execution
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while driving structure and clarity
Requirements
