Hybrid Operations Program Manager

at Aescape

• Job title: Operations Program Manager
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Mid level, Senior
• Salary: $150,000 - $175,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Tech skills: Assembly
• Location requirements: Hybrid, New York City, United States

About the role

• Operations Program Manager coordinating cross-functional NPI initiatives for AI-powered robotics at Aescape. Driving execution from design to validated hardware while managing technical risks.

Responsibilities

• Focus on the rigorous execution of program deliverables, ensuring that our category-defining robots transition from design concepts to validated hardware on aggressive schedules.
• Be the primary driver for cross-functional coordination, real-time risk identification, and the closing of technical gaps between Engineering and Operations.
• Own and enforce the master NPI checklist, driving rigorous entry and exit requirements for all NPI development phases (EVT, DVT and PVT). Coordinate across Engineering, Product, and Operations to ensure all technical and operational milestones are tracking to schedule.
• Own and update the product launch schedule, identifying critical path shifts, forecasting, mitigating and escalating risks appropriately while ensuring all components and processes remain on track for building, testing and validation.
• Drive comprehensive clear-to-build (CTB) readiness for each development phase. Beyond just material availability, you will ensure the factory is fully prepared for each build cycle, including production line workflow and station setup, SOP development and testing readiness.
• Drive the timely development, validation, and release of production tooling and test fixtures; coordinate between Engineering and suppliers to ensure all tooling is on-site and operational to meet build milestones.
• Drive the completion of Design for Manufacturing, Assembly and Test (DFx) feedback cycles and relentlessly track the status of hardware testing and validation results.

Requirements

• BS in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related technical degree.
• 5+ years of experience in project management or NPI coordination within a complex hardware manufacturing environment.
• Experience with complex hardware and assembly through a global multi-tier supply chain.
• Deep experience with hardware product development life cycle management and key validation milestones (EVT/DVT/PVT).
• Hands-on experience with Arena PLM or similar Product Lifecycle Management tools to manage BOMs and ECOs.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills; you know how to push for deliverables while maintaining strong internal relationships.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel up to 10%, including international travel.

Benefits

• Complimentary massages in our NY HQ and our Partner locations!
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance covered by us.
• 401k with 4% company match.
• Flexible paid time off and a generous parental leave policy.
• Working late? Dinner is on us.
• Competitive pay + bonus.