New Product Development Program Manager Jobs in California

Manage Breakthrough Product Development Programs from Concept to Launch

Fieldpiece is the innovation leader in professional HVACR test instruments, trusted by technicians around the world to solve some of the industry's toughest challenges. We're investing heavily in the future of product development through modern Fast Time To Market (FTTM) methodologies, connected products, AI-enabled engineering, and customer-centered innovation. Named one of the Best Places to Work in Southern California for four consecutive years, we're looking for talented people who want to make an impact while growing their careers. 

Why This Role?

Great products don't happen by accident - they happen because exceptional leaders bring people, ideas, and execution together.

As our Senior Program Manager, you'll lead some of Fieldpiece's most strategic new product initiatives while helping transform how we develop products. You'll work across Engineering, Product Management, Industrial Design, Quality, Manufacturing, and global development partners to align teams, remove obstacles, and deliver innovative connected products.

Beyond delivering successful programs, you'll play a key role in advancing our FTTM methodology, helping us continuously improve how we innovate, collaborate, and bring products to market. If you enjoy solving complex challenges, influencing without authority, and turning ambitious ideas into reality, you'll thrive in this role.

This position is in our Orange, CA office with an exciting move to Tustin, CA in 2028.  This role follows a hybrid work schedule, with employees typically working onsite three days per week. Additional in-office days may be required from time to time for onboarding, training, team meetings, project collaboration, or other business needs.

What You'll Do

• Lead multiple, complex new product development programs from concept through commercial launch that include hardware, firmware, and software.
• Align cross-functional teams across Product Management, Engineering, Industrial Design, Quality, Operations, and Manufacturing.
• Drive program planning, risk management, executive communication, and decision-making.
• Coordinate global development activities with suppliers and strategic partners.
• Champion Fast Time To Market (FTTM) methodologies and continuous improvement.
• Help build a culture of accountability, transparency, and excellence in execution.

What Makes This Opportunity Different

• You'll help redefine how an entire company develops products while bringing innovative connected technologies to market faster than ever before.
• Shape the future of product development at an innovation-driven company building the next-generation of connected HVACR products by applying FTTM methodologies to accelerate innovation.
• Influence both what we build to solve real customer problems and how we build them.
• Help drive the adoption of AI-enabled engineering, connected products, and technician productivity solutions in collaboration with global engineering organizations and strategic technology partners.

In Your First Year, You'll Likely Have:

• Successfully lead multiple new product development programs through key development milestones.
• Become a trusted cross-functional leader who helps teams make better, faster decisions.
• Embedded FTTM best practices into day-to-day program execution.
• Built strong relationships with internal teams and strategic external partners.
• Improved program visibility, risk management, and execution predictability.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related STEM field.
• 10+ years of program and/or project management experience leading complex new product development initiatives in engineering or manufacturing environments.
• A proven track record managing multiple concurrent projects and integrated product programs, aligning cross-functional teams to deliver on schedule.
• Experience leading hardware, firmware, and software product development programs from concept through launch.
• Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle, including both hardware development and software development processes.
• Experience working with global suppliers, ODMs, contract manufacturers, and overseas manufacturing partners.
• Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools, including Microsoft Office and modern project tracking software.

Bonus Points If You Have

• Experience establishing or improving project governance, stage-gate reviews, PMO structures, or organizational change within a growing or rapidly scaling company.
• Experience with Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, or Microsoft Project.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, Prosci, Lean Six Sigma, or similar.
• Experience helping organizations improve program execution through modern product development methodologies.

Why You'll Enjoy Working at Fieldpiece

• As a privately held company, we invest for the long term—in our people, our products, and our future. That means we can focus on innovation, continuous improvement, and building lasting careers rather than chasing short-term results.
• Work alongside talented, collaborative teammates who are passionate about innovation and solving real world problems.
• Make a meaningful impact in a company where your ideas are heard, your expertise is valued, and your contributions help shape the future of our products and business.

Benefits & Perks

We believe great work starts with supporting our employees. That's why we offer a competitive total rewards package designed to promote your health, financial well-being, work-life balance, and professional growth.

• Competitive base salary with annual bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays
• Hire to Retire philosophy - Individual Development Plans for everyone and a commitment to support career development
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Music program – music rooms in all US offices with onsite guitar, piano, and voice lessons in California (classes can be streamed for other offices)
• Recognition programs, launch parties and team building events to share successes

Our Culture

At Fieldpiece, our values shape how we work, collaborate, and serve our customers every day. We believe in:

• Teamwork – We collaborate, support one another, and win as a team.
• Urgency – We move quickly, stay agile, and focus on what matters most.
• Respect – We value diverse perspectives and treat everyone with professionalism and integrity.
• Trust – We build strong relationships through accountability and transparency.
• Learning – We embrace curiosity, continuous improvement, and personal growth.
• No Ego – We leave titles and egos at the door, value the best ideas regardless of where they come from, and work together with humility, openness, and mutual respect.