At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in developing groundbreaking microLED technology for various industries.
- Company: Join Avicena Tech, a pioneering company in ultra-low power interconnects.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in tech while working with cutting-edge innovations.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and experience in managing complex hardware programmes.
- Other info: Fast-paced startup environment with excellent career advancement potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Avicena Tech is a privately held company developing microLED-based ultra-low power high bandwidth interconnects for chip-to-chip communications. This technology will revolutionise HPC and cloud computing, as well as industries where low power interconnects are critical such as camera sensors, autonomous vehicles, and aerospace. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with a development centre in Edinburgh, Scotland, Avicena was founded in 2019 by leading technologists in optical networking.
About the Role
We’re looking for a Senior Technical Program Manager / Engineering Manager to lead a multidisciplinary team of ~8 engineers working on failure analysis, test development, and optical packaging. You’ll own programme delivery and people leadership, coordinating work between Edinburgh and Sunnyvale, CA.
Responsibilities
- Line-manage, mentor and grow a multidisciplinary team; set clear priorities, goals, and development plans; support hiring and shape engineering culture in Edinburgh.
- Build and manage integrated plans for FA, reliability, test, and packaging projects; track milestones, manage risks and dependencies; communicate status to UK and US leadership.
- Coordinate external partners for test, packaging, and qualification activities.
- Act as the primary engineering interface with Sunnyvale HQ; align roadmaps, priorities, and resources across time zones; run cross-site reviews, handovers, and decision forums.
- Oversee FA and reliability strategies, test plans, and qualification activities; guide development of scalable electrical/optical tests and data flows from R&D to production; support optical/opto-mechanical packaging design, build, and qualification; ensure learnings feed back into design and process.
- Drive clear requirements, design reviews, change control, and documentation; promote data-driven decisions and good experimental practice.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Optoelectronics or equivalent experience.
- Strong experience running complex hardware programmes in semiconductors, photonics, optoelectronics, or advanced packaging.
- Hands-on background in at least two of: FA & reliability; test development; optical/opto-electronic packaging.
- Proven people leadership: managing and developing engineers and/or leading technical teams end-to-end.
- Comfortable working with distributed teams and external suppliers across US/Europe time zones.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment and rapidly respond to changes.
Desirable
- Experience with microLEDs, optical interconnects or high-speed I/O.
- Familiarity with reliability and qualification standards for optoelectronic components.
- Experience taking products from R&D into pilot or high-volume manufacturing.
- Competence in data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, JMP, etc.).
Seniority level: Mid-Senior Level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Project Management and Information Technology
Industries: Semiconductor Manufacturing
Technical Program Manager employer: Avicena Tech
Contact Detail:
Avicena Tech Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Program Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at Avicena Tech. LinkedIn is your best mate here; drop them a message, ask about their work, and express your interest in the Technical Program Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into microLED technology and optical interconnects. Show us you know your stuff! Brush up on your project management skills and be ready to discuss how you've led teams and managed complex hardware programmes.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Technical Program Manager, you'll need to coordinate between teams in different time zones. Be ready to demonstrate how you can effectively manage stakeholders and keep everyone in the loop.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the Avicena Tech team and contributing to our exciting projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Program Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Technical Program Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing complex hardware programmes and leading teams, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your skills can contribute to our mission at Avicena Tech. Be sure to mention any relevant experience with microLEDs or optical interconnects if you have it.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing a multidisciplinary team, make sure to highlight your people leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've mentored engineers or led technical teams to success. We love seeing real-world impact!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Avicena Tech
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Technical Program Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of the technologies involved, especially in semiconductors and optoelectronics. Brush up on microLEDs, optical interconnects, and relevant hardware programmes. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with failure analysis and test development.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong people leadership, so prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing and mentoring teams. Think about specific situations where you set clear goals, supported team development, or shaped engineering culture. Be ready to discuss how you handle conflicts and motivate your team.
✨Master Cross-Functional Communication
You’ll be coordinating between teams in different time zones, so it’s crucial to show your communication skills. Prepare to discuss how you’ve successfully managed stakeholder expectations and communicated project statuses in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with external partners and how you ensure alignment across teams.
✨Be Data-Driven
Avicena Tech values data-driven decisions, so come prepared to talk about your experience with data analysis tools like Python or MATLAB. Share examples of how you’ve used data to inform your decisions in project management, particularly in relation to reliability and qualification activities.