Associate Operations Program Manager

Lightmatter is leading the revolution in AI data center infrastructure, enabling the next giant leaps in human progress. The company invented the world's first 3D-stacked photonics engine, Passage, capable of connecting thousands to millions of processors at the speed of light in extreme-scale data centers for the most advanced AI and HPC workloads.

Lightmatter raised $400 million in its Series D round, reaching a valuation of $4.4 billion. We will continue to accelerate the development of data center photonics and grow every department at Lightmatter!

If you''re passionate about tackling complex challenges, making an impact, and being an expert in your craft, join our team of brilliant scientists, engineers, and accomplished industry leaders.

Lightmatter is (re)inventing the future of computing with light!

Lightmatter''s Supply Chain Operations team designs and executes the complex, global manufacturing networks required to build our world-first photonic engines at scale. We partner seamlessly with critical component vendors and Tier-1 manufacturing partners to deliver a resilient, cost-effective, and rapid flow of cutting-edge hardware.

As an Operations Program Manager, you will serve as a key operational coordinator supporting supplier execution, Statement of Work (SOW) tracking, and master build planning across silicon foundries, Tier-1/Tier-2 OSATs, and Contract Manufacturers.

Operating collaboratively alongside senior supply chain leadership, you will help bridge internal R&D, Packaging Engineering, Quality, and Commercial (GSM) teams with external vendors to support NPI builds transitioning into High-Volume Manufacturing.

In this role, you will support the operational execution of active Passage and/or Guide programs. You will assist in maintaining multi-tier material availability tracking, updating Clear-To-Build (CTB) readiness, monitoring vendor milestones, and facilitating cross-functional schedule alignment.

Core Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end operational execution and master build planning across silicon foundries, OSATs, and Contract Manufacturers.
• Assist in tracking multi-tier material availability and maintaining line-item Clear-To-Build matrices to ensure factory builds remain unblocked.
• Coordinate cross-functional dependencies between internal engineering, quality, and commercial teams to keep hardware build schedules on track.
• Execute daily Bill of Materials (BOM) management, Engineering Change Order (ECO) routing, and revision control within Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and ERP environments.
• Maintain accurate project schedules, track internal engineering deliverables, and monitor external vendor milestone progress against defined Statements of Work.
• Prepare build readiness reports, consolidate material trackers, and present operational updates to internal supply chain and engineering teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor''s degree in Supply Chain, Business Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 1 to 3 years of relevant experience, or a highly successful internship in hardware operations, technical program management, or supply chain within the tech sector.
• Foundational understanding of hardware manufacturing processes, contract manufacturing environments, or NPI build cycles.
• Hands-on experience or demonstrated ability to navigate PLM systems (e.g., Arena, Agile) and ERP/MRP environments for BOM and material management.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to clearly coordinate tasks across highly technical engineering and operations teams.
• Detail-oriented execution with a track record of maintaining accurate schedules, trackers, and project documentation in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct internship or prior project experience at Lightmatter, specifically supporting electro-optical hardware, semiconductor, or advanced packaging programs.
• Familiarity with Clear-To-Build tracking, material shortage mitigation, and component lead-time management.
• Prior exposure to executing engineering change orders and hardware lifecycle transitions.

We offer competitive compensation. The base salary range for this role determined based on location, experience, educational background, and market data.

Salary Range: total compensation goes beyond base salary, it also includes a new hire equity grant, annual performance-based equity, and other rewards that recognize your impact and contribution.

$10,800-$128,500 USD

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Savings Matching Program
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Generous Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Paid Family Leave
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Commuter Benefits
• Flexible, hybrid workplace model
• Equity grants (applicable to full-time employees)

Benefits eligibility may vary depending on your employment status and location. Lightmatter recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

Export Control

Candidates should have capacity to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws.