Program Manager Defense Jobs in Hayward, CA (NOW HIRING)

For decades, Altera has been a leader in programmable logic technology, delivering high-performance FPGA, SoC FPGA, and software solutions that enable customers to solve the world’s most complex computing challenges. Altera products are widely deployed across high-reliability markets including aerospace, defense, communications, automotive, and industrial applications. In the Aerospace & Defense market, Altera’s FPGA platforms power mission‑critical systems that demand long lifecycle support, high reliability, functional safety, and security compliance. We work closely with customers and ecosystem partners to deliver solutions that meet stringent regulatory, quality, and performance requirements.

Altera is seeking an experienced Aerospace & Defense (A&D) Product Program Manager to lead cross‑functional execution of FPGA and platform programs serving the A&D market. This role sits at the intersection of product management, engineering, operations, quality, and customers, and is responsible for driving programs from concept through production and long‑term lifecycle support. The ideal candidate brings deep experience managing complex, multi‑year hardware and software programs in regulated environments and has a strong understanding of FPGA‑based solutions used in aerospace, defense, and high‑reliability systems.

• Own and drive end‑to‑end product program execution for Altera FPGA and platform offerings targeting Aerospace & Defense customers.
• Lead cross‑functional program teams including engineering, product management, quality, supply chain, manufacturing, sales, and field applications.
• Develop and manage integrated program plans, schedules, risk registers, dependencies, and milestones across multiple product lines.
• Serve as the primary program interface for internal stakeholders and key A&D customers, ensuring alignment on deliverables, timelines, and expectations.
• Manage program risk, change control, and issue resolution, proactively identifying mitigation strategies to maintain schedule and quality.
• Ensure compliance with A&D‑specific requirements, including long lifecycle support, product change notifications (PCNs), export control (ITAR/EAR), reliability, and quality standards.
• Coordinate new product introductions (NPI), product revisions, and sustaining engineering programs across silicon, software, tools, and documentation.
• Partner with product management to align program execution with market requirements, customer roadmaps, and revenue goals.
• Drive executive‑level program reviews, providing clear communication on status, risks, tradeoffs, and decisions.
• Support customer engagements, escalations, and program commitments for strategic A&D accounts.

The pay range below is for Bay Area California only. Actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including job location, job‑related knowledge, skills, experiences, trainings, etc. We also offer incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance.

$159,700 - $231,000 USD

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of experience as a Product Program Manager, Technical Program Manager, or equivalent role managing complex hardware and software programs.
• Experience delivering semiconductor, FPGA, ASIC, SoC, or embedded system products.
• Proven track record of managing cross‑functional, multi‑discipline teams in matrixed organizations.
• Experience working with Aerospace & Defense customers or programs, including long lifecycle, high‑reliability, or regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of product development lifecycles, from concept and architecture through production and sustaining.
• Excellent program management skills, including schedule management, risk mitigation, and executive communication.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present to senior leadership and external customers.

• Direct experience with FPGA‑based platforms, design flows, or programmable logic ecosystems.
• Familiarity with A&D compliance frameworks such as DO-254, MIL-STD, AS9100, ITAR/EAR, or similar standards.
• Experience supporting long‑term product support models (10–20+ year lifecycles).
• Background working with government, prime contractors, or Tier‑1 aerospace and defense customers.
• MBA or advanced degree in Engineering, Management, or a related field.
• Experience managing globally distributed engineering and operations teams.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance technical, schedule, cost, and customer tradeoffs.

Regular

San Jose, California, United States

None specified

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.