Hardware Program Manager

Role Overview

As a Hardware Program Manager, you will lead cross-functional teams, manage complex hardware-software integration projects, and drive accountability across all workstreams. You will be instrumental in scaling our operations, ensuring projects stay on track, deadlines are met, project budgets are maintained, and teams are empowered to deliver exceptional results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead & mentor cross-functional teams (hardware engineers, software developers, integration specialists) to execute projects on time and to quality standards. Set clear ownership and hold team members accountable for deliverables and milestones.

• Plan and manage sprints and agile delivery cycles. Conduct stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives, and adjust workflows based on team feedback and project needs.

• Define, track, and enforce project deadlines. Identify blockers early, escalate risks, and work cross-functionally to resolve dependencies.

• Coordinate hardware-software integration efforts. Understand the intersection of mechanical design, embedded software, and system-level integration to anticipate and mitigate technical risks.

• Create and maintain project documentation, roadmaps, and status reports. Communicate progress, risks, and learnings to leadership and stakeholders.

• Support team development through constructive feedback, mentoring, and fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

• Collaborate with leadership on resource planning, capacity management, and scaling workflows as the team grows.

• Own the end-to-end program lifecycle from concept through delivery, testing, and deployment.

• Monitor and keep track of allocated budgets for each project.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of program or project management experience in hardware, robotics, embedded systems, or defence-tech environments.

• Proven experience managing cross-functional teams with mixed hardware and software skill sets.

• Should have worked on a ready-to-deploy product.

• Strong understanding of agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and sprint-based delivery workflows.

• Hands-on experience with project tracking tools (JIRA, Asana, or similar) and data-driven decision-making.

• Proficiency in creating and managing project timelines, roadmaps, and status dashboards.

• Strong communication and leadership skills. Ability to influence without authority, motivate teams, and escalate risks appropriately.

• Experience working in early-stage, fast-paced startup environments where adaptability and ownership are critical.

• Technical literacy in both hardware engineering and software development concepts (not necessarily deep expertise, but fluency).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in robotics, autonomous systems, or defence/aerospace sectors.

• Exposure to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, integration testing, or manufacturing workflows.

• Familiarity with compliance and quality standards relevant to defence or safety-critical systems.

• PMP, Scrum Master, or equivalent certification.

• Prior experience scaling teams from early stage (under 20) to growth stage (30+).

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and ESOP package commensurate with experience and market standards.

• A flat, collaborative culture where your ideas directly influence product and company strategy.

• Opportunity to grow with the company and build world-class systems in a niche, high-impact sector.

• Flexible working arrangement and supportive team environment.