Staff Technical Program Manager (TPM)

• Lead complex, multi-product optoelectronic and optical-systems programs from concept and customer requirements through NPI, qualification, and volume manufacturing release
• Own the program business case and commercial alignment - translate customer demand, forecasts, and roadmap commitments into program scope, milestones, resourcing, and cost/margin targets
• Manage upstream dependencies, including component, laser, photonic IC, and subsystem suppliers, contract manufacturers, and external development partners: align supplier roadmaps, long-lead items, capacity, and qualification schedules to program needs
• Manage downstream dependencies, including customer engagement, sampling and qualification gates, design-win and ramp commitments, and field feedback; serve as the primary program interface to key customers and account teams
• Drive NPI execution across R&D, reliability, operations, quality, manufacturing, supply chain, and suppliers; maintain integrated program schedules, milestones, risks, and critical path across multiple concurrent programs
• Coordinate execution across global engineering and manufacturing teams, including internal sites and external partners
• Identify technical, operational, supply chain, and commercial risks early and drive mitigation plans to closure; manage change control, scope trade-offs, and escalations
• Facilitate data-driven decisions on design and trade-off discussions involving optical performance, power, thermal behavior, manufacturability, reliability, yield, lead time, and cost
• Conduct program and phase-gate reviews to ensure design maturity, qualification readiness, and manufacturing readiness
• Track qualification activities, including Telcordia GR-468/GR-1221, environmental stress testing, accelerated life testing, interoperability and system-level validation, and customer qualification requirements
• Present concise program, technical, and business status updates to executive leadership, customers, and partners
• Establish and improve program management processes, templates, and best practices across the organization; mentor other program managers and technical leads

• Master’s degree required in Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field
• 10+ years of technical program management, engineering program leadership, or systems engineering experience in a high-technology environment, with a record of delivering multiple complex programs from concept through volume production
• Demonstrated program management expertise: structured methodologies (e.g., stage-gate/NPI, PMP, Agile/hybrid), integrated scheduling, critical-path and risk management, budget and resource ownership, and executive reporting
• Strong understanding of the business logic of the optical networking value chain - upstream supply base and component ecosystem through downstream customers and end markets - including cost structure, margin, forecast-to-supply planning, lead times, and ramp management
• Technical background in high-speed optoelectronics, optical transceivers/transponders, DWDM line systems, optical amplifiers, wavelength management, or related optical networking technologies
• Experience managing suppliers, contract manufacturers, and external development partners, including contract, schedule, quality, and capacity management
• Experience engaging directly with customers (such as hyperscalers, system OEMs, or carriers) on requirements, roadmaps, qualification, and commercial commitments
• Solid understanding of the product development lifecycle, including prototyping, design verification, qualification, manufacturing transfer, and ramp
• Technically credible, highly organized, and execution-focused; comfortable driving difficult cross-functional discussions, challenging unsupported assumptions, and making clear trade-off decisions

For this role, we anticipate paying $240,000 - $280,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

Molex possesses a rich heritage in the optical industry. We provide the highest performing field-proven wavelength management solutions from components to modules and integrated line-cards. Continuous innovation in passive component function integration, miniaturization, and manufacturing automation, cutting edge WSS and amplifier technology and comprehensive optical, mechanical, electrical and software integration capabilities enable us to serve the needs of high-density, high-bandwidth, and flexible optical networks., All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here., At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.