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Director Of Program Development information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$32.3K

$85.5K

$149.8K

How much do director of program development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of program development in Santa Rosa, CA is $85,494.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,900.00 and $101,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of program development do?

A director of program development oversees the planning, design, and implementation of programs within an organization. They coordinate teams, develop strategies, manage budgets, and ensure programs meet organizational goals and standards. Strong leadership, project management skills, and knowledge of industry best practices are essential for this role.

What are the typical challenges a director of program development faces when launching new initiatives within an organization?

Directors of Program Development often encounter challenges such as aligning new initiatives with the organization's strategic goals, securing stakeholder buy-in, and managing cross-functional teams with varying priorities. Navigating budget constraints, adapting to shifting market demands, and ensuring programs are both scalable and sustainable are also common hurdles. Successful directors leverage strong communication, project management, and analytical skills to address these challenges and drive impactful results.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of program development?

To excel as a Director Of Program Development, you need expertise in program management, strategic planning, and budget oversight, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with project management software, data analysis tools, and compliance systems is typically required. Outstanding leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills distinguish top performers in this role. These abilities are crucial for successfully designing, implementing, and scaling programs that align with organizational goals.

What qualifications do you need to be a director of program development?

A director of program development typically needs a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as business, management, or a specific industry area, along with several years of experience in program management or development. Strong leadership, strategic planning skills, and proficiency with project management tools are also important, and some roles may require a master's degree or professional certifications like PMP.

What is the difference between Director Of Program Development vs Program Manager?

AspectDirector Of Program DevelopmentProgram Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, develops strategic program plans, manages teams, and aligns programs with organizational goals.Manages individual projects or programs, coordinates resources, and ensures project deliverables meet objectives.
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree often in business, management, or related field; advanced degrees or certifications like PMP are common.Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; PMP or similar certifications are frequently preferred.
Work EnvironmentTypically in corporate, nonprofit, or government settings, involving strategic planning and leadership.Involves project coordination within similar environments, focusing on execution and delivery.

The main difference between a Director Of Program Development and a Program Manager lies in scope and strategic focus. The Director oversees multiple programs and aligns them with organizational goals, while the Program Manager handles specific projects within those programs. Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments, but the Director's role is more strategic and leadership-oriented.

What job categories do people searching Director Of Program Development jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Director Of Program Development jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Director Of Program Development jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Director Of Program Development job openings:
Director Of Program Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Program Development job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,494 per year, or $41.1 per hour.

Director Of Programs - Advanced Optical Development Group

Viavi Solutions

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Summary:
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications.
We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company - to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Director Of Programs
Advanced Optical Development Group
SUMMARY
VIAVI Solutions has a 100+ year history of technical innovations that have evolved to keep pace and address our customers' most pressing business issues. We make equipment, software, and systems that help to plan, deploy, certify, monitor, and optimize all kinds of networks - like those for mobile phones, service providers, large businesses and data centers. VIAVI is also a leader in high performance thin film optical coatings and engineered diffusers, providing light management technologies to the bank note security, consumer electronics, automotive, defense and instrumentation markets.
The Optical Security and Performance Products (OSP) business segment of VIAVI leverages its core technology strengths of optics, vacuum coatings, and materials science to deliver innovative and differentiated technologies that manipulate light to improve the performance of sensors, to shape light from high performance light sources, and to create unique visual effects. With over seven decades of experience in optical coating technology, VIAVI OSP is a customer focused, market driven enterprise serving attractive and sustainable market sectors including banknote security, consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, and defense/aerospace. VIAVI OSP's customers include global leaders such as SICPA, BASF, Raytheon and STMicroelectronics.
We are seeking an exceptionally talented and highly motivated Advanced Optical Development Lead to join our Research & Development team. This is a leadership role responsible for driving the conceptualization, design, development, and validation of innovative optical systems that are critical to our next-generation products. The successful candidate will develop and lead a team of optical, opto-electronic and opto-mechanical engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous innovation.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Technical Leadership: Define and execute Advanced Optical Development R&D programs in alignment with the overall company strategy and product roadmap. Identify and evaluate emerging technologies and methodologies in optical design, opto-mechanics and precision engineering.
  • Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of optical, mechanical and electrical engineers. Foster a collaborative and high-performance environment, promoting professional growth and technical skill development.
  • Full Lifecycle Development: Oversee the entire development lifecycle, from initial concept generation, feasibility studies, and detailed design to prototyping, testing, validation, and transition to manufacturing for volume production.
  • Precision Opto-Mechanical/Electronic Design: Drive the design of high-precision opto-mechanical and opto-electronic assemblies, including stable optical mounts, alignment mechanisms, thermal management solutions, and vibration isolation systems for highly sensitive optical components (e.g. waveguides, detectors, laser, fiber optic interfaces, quantum emitters).
  • Tolerance Analysis & Budgeting: Guide tolerance analysis and error budgeting methodologies to ensure manufacturability, performance, and reliability of optical systems under various environmental conditions.
  • Material Selection & Process Optimization: Guide the selection of appropriate materials and manufacturing processes (e.g., machining, additive manufacturing, bonding) for optimal optical performance, thermal stability, and long-term reliability.
  • Simulation & Modeling: Champion the use of advanced simulation and modeling tools (e.g., FEA for structural and thermal analysis, optical modeling software) to predict system performance and optimize designs.
  • Verification & Validation: Establish comprehensive test plans and lead experimental validation activities to ensure designs meet performance specifications. Oversee the development of custom test setups and metrology solutions.
  • Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis: Lead complex problem-solving efforts for design challenges, performance deviations, and manufacturing issues related to opto-mechanical systems.
  • IP Development: Contribute to and drive intellectual property generation through patent disclosures and publications.
  • Budget & Resource Management: Work with Program Management to establish and track budgets, timelines, and resource allocations.

Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:
Background & Experience:
  • Education: Ph.D. or M.S. in Optical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
  • Experience:
    • Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in project/program management with a strong technical aptitude for optical and opto-mechanical design and development, with at least 5 years in a leadership or senior technical lead role.
    • Proven track record of successfully bringing complex opto-mechanical and opto-electronic systems from R&D to production in a fast-paced, high-tech environment.
    • Knowledgeable in precision opto-mechanical design principles, including athermalization techniques, vibration isolation, and thermal management for optical systems.
    • Knowledgeable with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo) and FEA simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, SolidWorks Simulation).
    • Familiarity with schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g. Altium, OrCAD, PADS).
    • Strong understanding of optical system design principles and their impact on opto-mechanical and sensing requirements.
    • Experience with various manufacturing processes for precision components (e.g., CNC machining, grinding, polishing, injection molding, additive manufacturing).
    • Familiarity with optical metrology techniques and equipment (e.g., interferometers, autocollimators, profilometers).
    • Knowledgeable of requirements in quantum technology, aerospace, defense, scientific instrumentation, or semiconductor industries is desirable.
    • Knowledge of vacuum deposition is a plus.
    • Must be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. "Green Card Holder"), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

If you are a visionary leader with a passion for optical innovation and a desire to make a significant impact on groundbreaking technology, we encourage you to apply.
VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer - minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.
Job Posting Pay Range:
158,200
to
293,800
Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary. VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.

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