Operations Associate Jobs in Santa Clara, CA (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Product Operations Associate
Job Description
The Product Operations Associate supports end-to-end product lifecycle management for innovative hardware devices, focusing on new product introduction (NPI), bill of materials (BOM) creation, and configuration management. In this role, you partner closely with engineering and operations teams to structure BOMs, manage change orders in PLM tools, and ensure that prototypes and customer-facing configurations are accurately defined and ready for launch.
Responsibilities

• Support product development activities by managing lifecycle processes for new and existing hardware products.
• Create, structure, and maintain Bills of Materials (BOM) for prototypes and production devices, including complex bill matrices for multiple prototype types.
• Enter and track Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), NCOs, and RCOs in the PLM tool (Townsend, previously Agile), ensuring accurate routing to configuration management teams.
• Work closely with Engineering and Component Engineers to create and assign part numbers, and ensure they are correctly entered into PLM systems.
• Communicate new and updated part numbers to internal cross-functional teams and contract manufacturers to maintain alignment on configurations and builds.
• Collaborate daily with product development teams and third-party suppliers on BOM and material management for multiple programs.
• Support BOM management and configuration activities in PLM tools for different programs, including customer terminals and accessories.
• Develop and maintain build matrices for prototype builds, including planning configurations for builds in Asia and aligning device allocations with project needs.
• Handle final product configurations before delivery to customers, ensuring accuracy and completeness of all configuration data.
• Apply hardware configuration management practices to device and system builds, ensuring traceability and consistency across versions.
• Use advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP) to analyze BOMs, build matrices, and device allocations, and to support reporting and decision-making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, including engineering, operations, and overseas contractors, to coordinate system and device build planning.
• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
• Provide clear verbal and written communication to peers, stakeholders, and external partners regarding BOM changes, configurations, and build plans.
• Support Kuiper engineering teams with BOM creation and management, build matrices, and device allocations for programs such as Coco v2, Hugo v2, and mPrimo.
• Contribute as a key stakeholder in the NPI process by ensuring product development phases are well defined, organized, and properly documented in PLM tools.

Essential Skills

• 2-4 years of experience in a similar product operations, configuration management, or product lifecycle management role.
• Hands-on experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools, specifically Agile and Windchill.
• Experience working within hardware configuration management for devices or systems.
• Strong knowledge of system and device build planning and execution, including prototype and production builds.
• Practical experience with BOM creation, BOM management, and bill matrices for complex hardware products.
• Advanced Excel skills, including proficiency with pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to prioritize, multitask, and manage competing deadlines efficiently.
• Bachelor's degree.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with consumer electronics, aerospace, hardware devices, or related industries.
• Exposure to silicon-based hardware or customer silicon, with the ability to understand and speak the associated technical language.
• Experience working with overseas contractors, particularly suppliers in Asia.
• Experience in device building, system building, and hardware configuration in complex technical environments.
• Familiarity with PLM tools beyond Agile and Windchill is beneficial, especially Townsend or similar internal systems.
• 2-4 years of exposure in consumer electronics is a strong plus.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills in an open, peer-based environment.
• Responsiveness, flexibility, and the ability to thrive in an open, collaborative work culture focused on launching complex hardware programs such as Kuiper customer terminals and accessories.

Work Environment
This is a full-time, on-site role with Monday-Friday core hours, totaling approximately 40 hours per week. Team members are expected to be in the office daily during hours that work for them and their teams, with flexibility to manage their own work-life balance. The role involves regular collaboration with suppliers in Asia, which may require occasional evening meetings, but it is not expected that you remain in the office all day and then work extensively at night. You will work closely with product development, engineering, operations, and overseas partners in a highly collaborative environment focused on launching satellite-related hardware programs, including Kuiper customer terminals and accessories. The work is office-based, using PLM tools such as Townsend (formerly Agile), Windchill, and advanced Excel for BOM management, build matrices, and configuration control, within a culture that values responsiveness, flexibility, and peer collaboration.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Sunnyvale, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $58.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Sunnyvale,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 9, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.