Director Hardware Jobs in San Ramon, CA (NOW HIRING)

Role Overview

Astera Labs is scaling rapidly as the connectivity backbone of rack-scale AI infrastructure, and our hardware manufacturing footprint is scaling with it. Smart Cable Modules (SCM), Active Electrical Cables (AEC), evaluation boards, AI Chassis-class systems, and ODM-built products are central to how we deliver purpose-built connectivity at hyperscale. We're hiring an AVP of Hardware Engineering Operations/Manufacturing to bring focused, senior leadership to this growing function.

This is a wide-ranging role spanning the full breadth of Astera Labs' hardware portfolio - from Smart Cable Modules to rack-scale chassis-based products. You'll own manufacturing strategy and execution across SCM, AEC, evaluation boards (SVB/EVB), AI Chassis-class systems, and ODM-built products such as switch trays and CEM cards. You'll be the primary leader partnering with our contract manufacturers across China and the rest of Asia, driving quality, capacity, cost, and time-to-market as we scale to meet AI infrastructure demand.

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