Engineering Program Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Are you passionate about turning ideas into reality, embracing ownership, and working at the forefront of connectivity? Join viaPhoton and be part of a culture that thrives on fearless innovation, teamwork, and continuous growth, where learning, unlearning, and relearning are part of the journey.

This dynamic role offers significant ownership and responsibility. We’re looking for individuals who excel in environments where their contributions make an impact, are hungry to learn, and are energized by meaningful work that drives company growth while accelerating their career. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

Who We Are

We are changing the norm by being customer focused, technology led.

viaPhoton is on an ambitious mission to revolutionize how critical digital infrastructure is manufactured and deployed. Best-in-class data centers and telecom providers need fiber optic solutions delivered in weeks, not months — whether that’s for AI infrastructure, 5G networks, or next-generation broadband. We’re reimagining fiber optic manufacturing for the AI era. Manufacturing is no longer just an operations challenge, but an automation and speed-to-market problem that customers urgently need solved. In 5 years, we’ve grown to a team of over 200 and added top Hyperscalers to our growing customer base. We’ve only just gotten started — our ambition is to become the market leader of the $40+ billion connectivity industry.

We seek candidates who will be culture contributors and who align with our core values:

• Fearless Innovation we are pioneers unafraid to change the norm in relentless pursuit of better

• Forward Together we believe that when we work together toward a collective goal, we all succeed

• Integrity Over Everything we believe in long term relationships and doing what is right, always

• Nimble, Always we are solutions obsessed, move fast, and stay nimble

• Be the Bar we set our own standard of excellence and hold ourselves to it

What You Will Do

As an Engineering Program Manager, you will be responsible for driving execution of our product development, automation, and/or process engineering projects. The ideal candidate will have an engineering degree, leadership skills, experience running engineering projects, and the drive and persistence to see critical work from concept to completion.

• Drive our product development, automation, and/or process engineering projects and initiatives.

• Work closely with and collaborate across our business, engineering, and production teams to define and achieve project success.

• Identify and resolve key project risks and issues.

• Communicate project status to management and stakeholders.

• Create new methodologies and solutions to support company growth and scale.

What You Will Bring

• BS degree, or equivalent experience, in Electrical, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering

• Ability to manage and lead development, automation, and/or process engineering programs from concept through new product introduction and production.

• Project Management: Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of engineering projects, coordinating cross-functional teams and managing resources.

• Issue and Debug Management: Drive team to identify and resolve key project issues and bugs.

• Stakeholder Management: Balance the needs of various stakeholders, developing comprehensive project plans, timelines, and budgets. Collaborating with leadership, suppliers and customers.

• Project Reporting: Creation and communication of project status to team, management and stakeholders. Reporting includes periodic and consistent project status vs plan, early risk detection and mitigation, etc.

• Methodology Development: Research and promote engineering methodologies and technology advancements to improve execution capabilities.

• Continuous Improvement: Supporting lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Intellect and drive.

• The ability to learn quickly and continuously and maintain a flexible and adaptive mindset necessary for a fast-paced environment.

• A proactive, self-driven mindset where your growth is dependent on you.

• Creative problem solving; if you don't know the answer, you’ll know how to find a way to it.

• Multi-tasking with the ability to handle multiple inquiries at once and prioritize them accordingly.

Why Join Us

• Cutting-Edge Technology – Opportunities to work on the forefront of fiber optic technology.

• Professional Development – We’re committed to your growth, offering resources, career development, and a culture where your voice is heard.

• Fun Team Environment – Monthly team bonding events, free lunches, and activities to keep us connected.

• Flexible Paid Time Off – Take time when you need it, with PTO that grows over time plus 10 paid holidays, including two floating holidays to use at your discretion.

• 401(k) Match – we offer up to 5% company match to help you plan for your future.

Ready to Build the Future?