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Program Planner Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

MC Test Service Inc

Program Planner

Fremont, CA · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

We are hiring now for a Program Planner in Fremont, CA - Join the SMTC Team! Company Overview: At SMTC Corporation, we are driven by a clear purpose: "We believe we enhance people's lives and our ...

Rivian

Staff Vehicle Program Planner

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$102K - $127K/yr

Integrate program changes -- Translate Program Change Control Requests (PCRRs) into the timeline ... Build planning tooling & models -- Develop in Python / Databricks; prototype and pilot AI-assisted ...

Rivian

Staff Vehicle Program Planner

Irvine, CA

$102K - $127K/yr

Integrate program changes -- Translate Program Change Control Requests (PCRRs) into the timeline ... Build planning tooling & models -- Develop in Python / Databricks; prototype and pilot AI-assisted ...

Viasat, Inc.

Program Materials Planner

Carlsbad, CA · Hybrid

$121K - $191K/yr

What you'll do The Program Materials Planner plays a pivotal role in coordinating materials for Engineer-to-Order (ETO) programs, including government contracts. Their responsibilities encompass ...

Viasat, Inc.

Program Materials Planner

Carlsbad, CA · Hybrid

$150K - $225K/yr

What you'll do The Program Materials Planner plays a pivotal role in coordinating materials for Engineer-to-Order (ETO) programs, including government contracts. Their responsibilities encompass ...

Viasat, Inc.

Program Materials Planner

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$150K - $225K/yr

What you'll do The Program Materials Planner plays a pivotal role in coordinating materials for Engineer-to-Order (ETO) programs, including government contracts. Their responsibilities encompass ...

Amat

Demand Management Program Management

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$101K - $139K/yr

We are looking for an analytically sharp and execution-driven Senior NPI Demand Planner to be the materials nerve center for our NPI programs. You will translate complex, multi-level Bills of ...

Joby Aviation

DoD Skillbridge Program

Santa Cruz, CA · On-site

Overview The DoD SkillBridge program is an opportunity for Service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the ...

Joby Aviation

DoD Skillbridge Program

Marina, CA

Overview The DoD SkillBridge program is an opportunity for Service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the ...

L3HHCM20

$84K - $156K/yr

Responsible for effectively identifying and working cross-functionally to resolve both ERP and supplier delivery issues that could impact program delivery schedules and financial needs of both the ...

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All JobsProgram Planner JobsProgram Planner Jobs in California

Program Planner information

See California salary details

$38.5K

$83.4K

$162.3K

How much do program planner jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for program planner in California is $83,353.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,800.00 and $99,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a program planner?

A program planner’s job entails obtaining knowledge about the company’s overall goals and using that information to develop or manage specific programs or projects that further those goals. As a program planner, your duties are to provide support to various team members who carry out daily, weekly, or monthly tasks to streamline their workflows. To succeed in improving the quality and efficacy of programs, you provide support when it comes to operating budgets, overseeing the schedule for projects, and identifying areas for improvement. This job requires excellent communication, multitasking, and organizational skills. Qualifications for this career typically include a bachelor’s degree in business administration and prior experience in a relevant role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a program planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Planner, you need strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills, typically backed by a relevant degree such as business administration or project management. Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project, ERP systems, and certification such as PMP or CAPM is often required. Outstanding communication, attention to detail, and adaptability are essential soft skills for coordinating teams and managing shifting priorities. These skills are crucial for ensuring programs are delivered on time, within budget, and meet organizational objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by program planners when coordinating multiple projects simultaneously?

Program Planners often manage several projects at once, which can present challenges such as balancing competing priorities, ensuring clear communication among diverse teams, and adapting to shifting deadlines. Effective time management and strong organizational skills are essential to keep projects on track and aligned with overall organizational goals. Additionally, Program Planners regularly collaborate with project managers, stakeholders, and team members, requiring a proactive approach to problem-solving and conflict resolution.

What is the difference between Program Planner vs Project Coordinator?

AspectProgram PlannerProject Coordinator
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in planning, management, or related field; certifications like PMP are commonUsually needs a bachelor's degree; certifications like CAPM can be beneficial
Work EnvironmentWorks in government agencies, non-profits, or large organizations focusing on long-term program developmentWorks across various industries managing specific projects within larger programs
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in public sector, healthcare, education, and large corporate programsCommon in construction, IT, marketing, and event planning

Program Planners focus on designing and managing comprehensive programs with multiple projects, emphasizing strategic planning and long-term goals. Project Coordinators handle specific projects, ensuring tasks are completed on time and within scope. While both roles require organizational skills and certifications like PMP or CAPM, Program Planners have a broader scope involving program-level oversight, whereas Project Coordinators focus on individual project execution.

More about Program Planner jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Program Planner jobs in California?

The most popular types of Program Planner jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Program Planner jobs in California?

For Program Planner jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Program Planner jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Planner jobs in California are:

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Cities in California with the most Program Planner job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Program Planner jobs in CA?

For Program Planner jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Program Planner jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Planner job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,353 per year, or $40.1 per hour.

Program Planner

Fremont, CA • On-site

MC Test Service Inc
See more jobs at MC Test Service Incexternal

$65K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 7 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

We are hiring now for a Program Planner in Fremont, CA - Join the SMTC Team!

Company Overview: At SMTC Corporation, we are driven by a clear purpose: "We believe we enhance people's lives and our world every day." Our vision is to be an inspiring organization that earns the trust and admiration of our customers. As the best-in-class EMS provider, we strive to achieve the highest industry returns, driven by our passionate and dedicated employees.

Benefits Highlights:

  • Competitive salary package with 401K and company match
  • Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
  • Tuition reimbursement for professional development
  • Comprehensive Medical HRA Plan
  • Short-term/Long-term Disability Insurance, and more.

Summary:

The Program Planner is responsible for developing and executing production plans that ensure material availability, manufacturing readiness, and on-time delivery in support of customer requirements and production schedules. This role manages work order execution, material planning, and production priorities while coordinating cross-functional activities to optimize manufacturing flow, capacity utilization, and inventory performance.

Working closely with Master Scheduling, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Production Control, and Program Management, the Program Planner analyzes demand, material constraints, engineering changes, and production capacity to develop executable manufacturing plans that support operational efficiency and customer delivery commitments.

Essential Functions:

  • Develop, release, and manage production work orders to support customer demand, manufacturing capacity, and production schedules.
  • Analyze Material Requirements Planning (MRP) recommendations and production demand to ensure timely material availability and efficient manufacturing execution.
  • Monitor production schedules, work order status, and material constraints while identifying risks that could impact on-time delivery.
  • Coordinate with Purchasing, Production Control, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality to resolve material shortages, scheduling conflicts, and production constraints.
  • Analyze engineering changes, Bills of Material (BOMs), and product structure to ensure accurate planning, material availability, and production readiness.
  • Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities by coordinating production planning, material readiness, engineering changes, and manufacturing implementation.
  • Evaluate production capacity, inventory availability, and manufacturing priorities to optimize workflow, material utilization, and resource allocation.
  • Monitor production performance, schedule attainment, work-in-process (WIP), and inventory levels while recommending corrective actions to improve operational performance.
  • Analyze demand changes, production priorities, and supply constraints to evaluate schedule impacts and communicate planning recommendations to Supply Chain leadership.
  • Generate and maintain planning reports, production schedules, inventory analyses, and operational metrics to support business decisions.
  • Support expedited production requirements, recovery plans, and schedule changes to meet customer commitments and business objectives.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on production planning, inventory optimization, schedule adherence, manufacturing efficiency, and operational performance.


Competencies:

  • Production Planning: Ability to develop and execute production plans that align customer demand, material availability, manufacturing capacity, and business objectives.
  • Master Scheduling: Ability to support Master Production Schedule (MPS) execution while maintaining schedule adherence and production priorities.
  • Material Requirements Planning (MRP): Ability to analyze MRP recommendations and manage planning activities that ensure material availability and production continuity.
  • Capacity Planning: Ability to evaluate production capacity, resource availability, and manufacturing constraints to optimize production performance.
  • Production Control: Ability to coordinate production execution, monitor work order status, and support efficient manufacturing operations.
  • Inventory Management: Ability to optimize inventory levels while supporting inventory accuracy, material availability, and production continuity.
  • Bills of Material (BOM) Management: Ability to analyze and maintain BOM structures that support accurate planning and manufacturing execution.
  • Demand Planning: Ability to analyze customer demand, forecast requirements, and evaluate schedule impacts to support business priorities.
  • Supply Chain Analytics: Ability to analyze planning performance, operational metrics, inventory trends, and manufacturing data to support informed decision-making.
  • Problem Solving: Ability to identify planning issues, evaluate operational impacts, and implement effective solutions that improve production performance.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with Manufacturing, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, Production Control, Program Management, and Supply Chain to achieve planning objectives.
  • Continuous Improvement: Ability to identify opportunities that improve production planning, inventory optimization, schedule adherence, and operational performance.
  • Technical Proficiency: Proficiency using ERP/MRP systems, Microsoft Office applications, planning software, and business reporting tools.


Qualifications:

  • Education:
    • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field preferred.
    • Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
  • Certifications:
    • ASCM Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM), preferred
    • ASCM Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), preferred
    • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, preferred
  • Experience:
    • Minimum of three (3) years of production planning, master scheduling, materials planning, production control, or supply chain experience within a manufacturing environment.
    • Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) experience strongly preferred.
    • Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems to support production planning and material management.
    • Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), engineering changes, and manufacturing operations.
    • Working knowledge of Bills of Material (BOMs), production scheduling, inventory management, and manufacturing processes.
    • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
    • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods during the work shift.
  • Ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based work.
  • Ability to use a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and other office equipment for prolonged periods.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication methods.
  • Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift office materials up to 25 pounds.
  • Ability to visually review documents, reports, spreadsheets, and computer displays with or without corrective lenses.
  • Ability to move throughout office and production areas as business needs require.
  • Ability to wear and properly utilize required personal protective equipment (PPE) and ESD protection devices.


Mental Requirements:

  • The employee is required to exercise sound judgment, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a professional business environment.
  • The role requires the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, manage competing deadlines, interpret and analyze information, and make decisions consistent with organizational objectives.
  • Employees must effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, maintain confidentiality where appropriate, and adapt to changing business needs.
  • The position requires sustained concentration, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while maintaining productivity and accuracy.


Work Environment:

  • Work is performed in a combination of professional office, electronics manufacturing, remote, and travel-based environments.
  • Responsibilities may require regular interaction with production areas, exposing employees to moderate noise levels, fluctuating temperatures, production equipment, soldering operations, automated machinery, and general manufacturing activity.
  • Duties may involve extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, computer-based work, and occasional lifting or movement of materials consistent with job responsibilities. Employees entering production or controlled areas are required to follow all environmental, safety, ESD, quality, and equipment-handling procedures, including the use of SMTC-provided ESD-safe items where applicable.
  • The role also requires travel between company locations, customer sites, or other business-related destinations as needed, as well as the ability to maintain a safe and secure remote workspace with reliable internet access when working remotely.
  • Employees must remain attentive and compliant with all operational, safety, quality, confidentiality, and company policy requirements across all work environments.

Travel: 0-10% of the time based on business needs.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

SMTC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or other protected status.

If you require assistance completing this application due to a disability, please contact Human Resources to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.