At WHOOP, we’re on a mission to unlock human performance. WHOOP empowers members to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies and daily lives.
WHOOP is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager (NPI) to lead manufacturing development and launch execution for new hardware programs. This role owns the manufacturing and operations NPI workstream from early concept through production ramp, working closely with Engineering, Operations, and manufacturing partners to ensure build readiness, factory readiness, issue resolution, and high-quality program delivery.
You’ll work closely with Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Test Engineering, Quality, CapEx, Supply Chain, and Operations teams, both at WHOOP HQ and at production sites, to ensure our products are developed, validated, and launched on time, at scale, and at the right quality. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience supporting complex consumer electronics or high-volume hardware programs through EVT, DVT, PVT, and ramp, and is comfortable driving decisions in ambiguous, fast-moving launch environments.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own end-to-end manufacturing program execution for a hardware product from early development through mass production launch, serving as the primary manufacturing program lead.
- Lead manufacturing readiness across EVT, DVT, PVT, pre-production, and production ramp, ensuring milestones are achieved on schedule and with high quality.
- Develop and maintain integrated program plans, build schedules, critical paths, risk registers, issue trackers, and validation milestones across internal teams and manufacturing partners.
- Drive manufacturing process development, documentation, optimization, and validation in partnership with Manufacturing Engineering, Test Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
- Coordinate build planning and execution, including build objectives, factory readiness, equipment deployment, process validation, test integration, issue resolution, post-build closure, and exit criteria for each build phase.
- Drive ramp readiness by ensuring yield, throughput, capacity, staffing, equipment, process documentation, and operational handoff criteria are understood, tracked, and achieved before mass production.
- Establish and drive the manufacturing NPI operating cadence during critical program phases, including build readiness reviews, cross-functional issue reviews, leadership updates, timely decisions, and accountability across a focused cross-functional team.
- Identify program risks early and drive cross-functional issue resolution with clear ownership, root cause analysis, corrective actions, escalation paths, and recovery plans while balancing schedule, quality, cost, and manufacturing readiness.
- Communicate clear program status, key decisions, risks, and recovery plans to engineering, operations, and leadership stakeholders.
- Build strong working relationships with contract manufacturers and suppliers to ensure successful execution of manufacturing activities and production readiness.
- Contribute to improving manufacturing program management processes, documentation, and tools to enable more scalable and predictable NPI execution.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of experience in technical program management, manufacturing development, hardware engineering, or a related field.
- Experience owning at least one complete hardware product development cycle from prototype through mass production launch, including EVT, DVT, PVT, and production ramp.
- Proven ability to independently lead manufacturing programs with cross-functional engineering teams and external manufacturing partners.
- Experience working directly with overseas manufacturing partners, particularly in Asia, within consumer electronics or other high-volume hardware industries.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including SMT, mechanical assembly, test, validation, and pack-out.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritize effectively, and drive decisions across engineering and operations teams.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for technical teams and leadership audiences.
- Proficiency with Excel, Jira, Confluence, Gantt/scheduling tools, Google Workspace, and PLM systems (Arena preferred).
- Willingness to travel internationally up to 25% to support supplier builds, validation activities, and production launches.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or related technical field
- 5+ years experience in technical program management, manufacturing development, hardware engineering, or related field
- Experience owning a full hardware product development cycle from prototype through mass production including EVT, DVT, PVT, and ramp
- Proven ability to independently lead manufacturing programs with cross-functional engineering teams and external manufacturing partners
- Experience working directly with overseas manufacturing partners, particularly in Asia (consumer electronics/high-volume hardware)
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including SMT, mechanical assembly, test, validation, and pack-out
- Excellent communication and organizational skills, able to tailor messaging for technical teams and leadership
- Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritize effectively, and drive decisions across engineering and operations
- Proficiency with Excel, Jira, Confluence, Gantt/scheduling tools, Google Workspace, and PLM systems
- Familiarity with Arena PLM
- Willingness to travel internationally up to 25% to support supplier builds, validation, and production launches
What the Team is Saying
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WHOOP Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Parental & Family Support — Parental leave is described as generous, with an additional transition period to support return-to-work. Feedback suggests this policy stands out within the overall package.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellness stipends, free WHOOP memberships (including a giftable one), a sleep-performance cash incentive, daily meals, and access to onsite gym and recovery tools create a lifestyle-oriented offering. Feedback suggests these perks meaningfully enhance the total rewards experience beyond base pay.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity participation and stock option eligibility are highlighted, and ownership is portrayed as rewarding as the company grows. Feedback suggests this sense of ownership positively influences perceptions of compensation.
WHOOP Insights
What We Do
At WHOOP, we’re on a mission to unlock human performance. WHOOP empowers members to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies and daily lives. Our wearable device and performance optimization platform has been adopted by many of the world's greatest athletes and consumers alike.
Why Work With Us
At WHOOP, we’re focused on building an inclusive and equitable team with a strong sense of belonging for everyone—increasing representation in every way as our team grows. We believe that our differences are our source of strength—so much so it’s one of our core values.
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