Principal Engineer - Project Management

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Job Description:

As a Principal Engineer - Project Management, you will lead the development of next-generation networking products from concept to market release. You will be responsible for project planning and execution, ensuring that hardware design, embedded software, and system-level testing are aligned. Your role is also to manage the technical trade-offs between physical constraints and make decisions based on your technical understanding.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Planning & Execution: Create and manage the master schedule and budget for complex networking hardware and software projects, ensuring all deliverables meet market requirements.
• Cross-Functional Orchestration: Lead integrated project teams including Product Management, Hardware Engineering (PCB/Mechanical/FPGA), Software Development (Firmware/OS), System Test/QA, and Operations.
• Hardware-Software Co-Design: Work with engineering leads/managers to define hardware, software, system test milestones and deliverables.  Ensure engineering processes and good practices are followed during each of development phases. Manage the technical trade-offs between physical constraints and make decisions based on your technical understanding.
• System Testing & Quality: Oversee the validation strategy, ensuring System Test engineers have the builds and hardware revisions needed for stress testing, protocol verification, and compliance.
• Day-to-Day Monitoring: Drive daily stand-ups and use data-driven dashboards to track progress, unblock engineers, and manage the "Critical Path" across all departments.
• Operations Liaison: Partner with Supply Chain and Manufacturing to ensure the Bill of Materials (BOM) is optimized and the product is ready for large-scale production.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• 10+ Years of Industry Experience: Including both project management and hands-on product development.
• 5+ Years of Project Management Experience: Proven track record leading cross-functional teams in the development of physical hardware products with integrated software through a full lifecycle.
• 5+ Years of Hands-on Technical Experience: You must have a background in at least one of the following areas:
  • Hardware Design: PCB design, signal integrity, or electrical systems for networking equipment.
  • Software Design: Embedded C/C++ development, Linux kernel/drivers, or networking protocol development.
  • System Testing: Comprehensive testing of integrated hardware/software systems, automation, or network performance validation.
• Networking Knowledge: Strong understanding of L2/L3 networking protocols (OSPF, BGP, VLANs, etc.) and hardware architecture (power supplies, thermal, chassis design).
• Education: B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.

Tools & Methodologies

• Project Systems: Proficiency in MS project, Jira or other Project Life Cyle Management tools
• Methodology: Expert-level knowledge in combining Waterfall (for hardware/ops milestones) with Agile (for firmware and test cycles).

U.S. Export Controls Requirements: This job requires access to technology, materials, software or hardware that is controlled by the export laws of the United States. Candidates are required to provide proof of either US citizenship, Permanent US residency or classification as a protected individual as defined in 8 USC 1324b (a) (3).

Travel Time:

0% - 25%

Physical Attributes:

Feeling, Hearing, Other, Seeing, Talking, Works Alone, Works Around Others

Physical Requirements:

70% Sitting, 15% Walking, 15% Standing, Usual Business Hours

Pay Range:

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive base pay, restricted stock units, and quarterly bonus payments. In addition to these components, our package includes health benefits that begin day one, retirement savings plans, and an industry leading ESPP program with a 2 year look back feature. Find more information about all our benefits at the link below:

Benefits of working at Microchip

The annual base salary range for this position, which could be performed in the US, is $75,000 - $232,000.*

Microchip Technology Inc is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Poster.

To all recruitment agencies: Microchip Technology Inc. does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our recruiting team or other Microchip employees. Microchip is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.