Key Responsibilities
Leadership, Strategy & CM/ODM Partnership
Lead Astera Labs' hardware engineering operations and manufacturing organization across SCM, AEC, evaluation boards, AI Chassis-class systems, and ODM programs
Own day-to-day partnership with contract manufacturers across China and the rest of Asia — driving cadence, accountability, and site ramps from qualification through full production maturity
Manage ODM engagements for switch trays, CEM cards, chassis-based systems, and adjacent products, navigating the differences from traditional CM models
Partner with Hardware Engineering, Product, Supply Chain, and Quality leaders, and represent hardware operations in executive reviews
New Product Introduction (NPI) & Advanced Manufacturing
Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews on early product designs to validate completeness and manufacturability before release to the floor
Lead production scaling — estimating costs, production times, and staffing requirements for new designs
Prepare and maintain technical documentation for new manufacturing processes and engineering procedures
Process & Sustaining Engineering
Design factory layouts and analyze workflows to achieve maximum production efficiency
Troubleshoot operational bottlenecks and investigate material use variances directly on the assembly line
Conduct ongoing time and cost analyses to identify waste reduction and lean manufacturing improvements
Test Engineering
Architect test parameters for finished products to validate they meet exact process requirements
Coordinate the design, procurement, build, and debug of automated test equipment
Test products to identify anomalies and ensure compliance with functional and safety standards
Product Engineering (Manufacturing Focus)
Lead failure analysis using statistical methods and recommend changes in designs, tolerances, or processing methods
Apply root-cause fixes to prevent reoccurrence of product problems involving existing designs or materials
Monitor and analyze operational data to evaluate product performance and drive technical design changes that improve yield
Tooling & Automation
Assess, select, and schedule installation of manufacturing machinery and industrial processing systems
Design and implement custom jigs, fixtures, and manufacturing aids for daily assembly
Apply automation techniques and robotics programming to improve workflow and reduce manual labor
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline
15+ years of hardware manufacturing experience, with significant time leading cable assembly, PCBA, board, module, or system/chassis manufacturing
Proven track record managing contract manufacturers in Asia, including site ramps and multi-site operations
Deep expertise in NPI, DFM, mass production ramp, yield/test, and quality systems for high-volume hardware products
Hands-on experience across process/sustaining engineering, test engineering, and tooling/automation
Experience leading and scaling hardware operations organizations through hyper-growth
Willingness and ability to travel internationally to CM and ODM sites on a regular cadence
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
Direct experience with Active Electrical Cables (AEC), optical transceivers, Smart Cable Modules, or high-speed cable/connector assemblies
Experience manufacturing rack-scale or chassis-class systems for hyperscale or AI infrastructure
Experience with ODM engagement models for system-level products (switch trays, CEM cards, or similar)
Chinese language proficiency (Mandarin) for direct CM partnership in China
Base salary range is $280,000 to $310,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.
We know that creativity and innovation happen more often when teams include diverse ideas, backgrounds, and experiences, and we actively encourage everyone with relevant experience to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities.
