Senior Technical Program Manager

As a Senior Technical Program Manager at Lightmatter, your main responsibilities will include driving the planning and execution of silicon development projects from design to production. You will organize daily operations, set clear communication to management regarding program status, collaborate with engineering teams for accurate task estimation, identify risks, and coordinate with internal and external teams to achieve desired outcomes.

To qualify for the Senior Technical Program Manager position at Lightmatter, candidates should have over 8 years of experience in semiconductor technologies and participation in multiple tapeouts, along with a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in fields like electrical engineering, physics, or related photonics disciplines. Additional skills in program management, excellent communication abilities, and a strong background in hardware program management are essential.

The Senior Technical Program Manager role is pivotal in supporting Lightmatter’s AI initiatives by orchestrating the engineering teams’ efforts to deliver innovative Chiplet Interconnects and silicon solutions. This involves not just managing timelines and deliverables but also ensuring that quality and efficiency align with the company's revolutionary goals in photonic computing.

At Lightmatter, the work environment is dynamic and collaborative, fostering innovation and teamwork. As a Senior Technical Program Manager, you will engage closely with cross-functional teams in a hybrid workplace model, which allows for flexibility while maintaining a strong team culture aimed at driving forward groundbreaking technological advancements.

Lightmatter presents an exciting opportunity for a Senior Technical Program Manager due to its commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology through the use of photonics for AI computing. With significant funding, a focus on sustainable solutions, and a team of highly skilled professionals, you'll be contributing to projects that have the potential to redefine what is possible in computing, making a meaningful impact on global progress.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects or roles you've undertaken involving semiconductor technologies. Discuss your hands-on experience in participating in tapeouts and how it has equipped you with the knowledge to manage complex engineering tasks effectively.

You should express your approach to prioritization by discussing tools you use, like Gantt charts or project management software. Explain your methods for assessing project urgency and importance, while also considering team capacity to ensure that quality isn't compromised for deadlines.

Clarify your strategies by emphasizing the importance of transparency and regular updates. You might suggest using collaboration tools and setting structured meetings to facilitate ongoing dialogue among teams, ensuring that everyone is aligned with project goals and schedules.

Discuss your proactive approach to identifying potential risks early on, such as conducting risk assessments and engaging the team in brainstorming solutions. Provide examples of how you've successfully mitigated risks in past projects and ensured steady progress toward project milestones.

Detail your challenge by outlining the project specifics, the obstacles faced, and the strategies you applied to navigate those hurdles. Emphasize your leadership and communication skills that helped rally the team to a successful outcome despite the difficulties.

Demonstrate your knowledge by explaining the basics of photonics and how it differs from traditional electronics. Discuss its impact on data processing speeds and energy efficiency to illustrate your grasp on how Lightmatter leverages this technology in their products.

Mention the specific tools you are proficient in, such as Asana, Smartsheet, or MS-project. Be prepared to explain how you've utilized these tools in past roles to drive project timelines, identify bottlenecks, and facilitate team collaboration.

Share your approach to setting realistic milestones in collaboration with the engineering teams and showcasing your methods for tracking progress. Talk about the importance of agile methodologies that allow for flexibility and real-time adjustments to timelines as the projects evolve.

Provide a specific instance where your insights led to a pivotal decision. Discuss perspectives you advocated for, the data or analyses you presented, and the positive outcomes that resulted from your influence.

Express your passion for driving innovation and collaborating with diverse teams. Talk about how seeing projects come to fruition and making an impact on technology are the key motivators behind your commitment to lead effectively.