NPI Operations Project Manager

Responsibilities: Lead NPI Projects : Collaborate with Engineering, Marketing, Supply Chain, Volume Manufacturing, and Contract Manufacturing partners to guide products from concept through prototyping, pilot builds, and into high volume production. Project Planning & Control : Develop detailed project plans (scope, WBS, schedule, cost, risks), track progress, manage trade offs, and enable timely decision making.

Job Title: NPI Operations Project Manager
Location: San Jose, CA
Duration: 12 months contract
Payrate: $65 to $80 per hour on W2

Opportunity Overview
As an NPI Operations Project Manager, you will lead cross functional teams driving transformative programs with industry leading talent. You will own scope, schedule, cost, and change management. You will drive operational readiness, product quality, and manufacturing excellence across global teams, with opportunities to grow into Senior Project Manager and Program Manager roles.

Responsibilities:

• Lead NPI Projects: Collaborate with Engineering, Marketing, Supply Chain, Volume Manufacturing, and Contract Manufacturing partners to guide products from concept through prototyping, pilot builds, and into high volume production.
• Project Planning & Control: Develop detailed project plans (scope, WBS, schedule, cost, risks), track progress, manage trade offs, and enable timely decision making.
• Risk Management: Identify opportunities and risks, develop actionable plans to address them, and escalate issues when necessary.
• DFx & Production Transfer Readiness: Partner with DFx teams across compliance/safety, quality, manufacturing, test, assembly, and cost throughout development to ensure issues are resolved promptly.
• Product Builds: Oversee prototype and pilot builds. Manage product transfer to Contract Manufacturing partners.
• Communication: Deliver clear, concise, and relevant project updates to stakeholders at all levels; influence effectively without formal authority.
• Phase Gate Reviews: Lead readiness assessments, review deliverables, and document lessons learned.
• Self-starter who thrives in ambiguity and drives outcomes.
• Exceptional written and verbal information synthesis skills.

Must Have:

• BS in Engineering; MS/MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of Project Management leading complex technical projects
• Project management expertise; PMP preferred.
• New Product Introduction, Process or Manufacturing Engineering, and DFx experience are a plus.
• Enthusiastic about continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Proficient in risk management, schedule development, critical path analysis, resource planning, and cost control.
• Comfortable leading global, multi-site teams and influencing across matrix organizations.
• Strong analytical and systematic root-cause analysis expertise.
• Formal training in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) or other continuous improvement disciplines.
• Experience in the semiconductor and/or ATE industry; familiarity with the client product family is a plus.