Product Operations Associate

Job Description

Job Description

The Product Operations Associate supports the full hardware product lifecycle, with a focus on bill of materials (BOM) management, change order control, configuration management, and build readiness across the new product introduction (NPI) process. This role works closely with engineering, operations, supply chain, and international contract manufacturers to ensure accurate configurations, timely product updates, and smooth transitions from prototype builds to mass production for cutting-edge hardware devices and customer terminals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage detailed Bills of Materials (BOMs) for new hardware products, ensuring accuracy across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and subsystem components.
• Ensure BOMs align with design and manufacturing requirements and maintain configuration integrity while eliminating duplicate parts and records.
• Oversee part number creation and maintenance, including proper structuring, documentation, and entry into Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
• Author, submit, and track Recurring Change Orders (RCOs) in the PLM system, driving timely reviews, approvals, and controlled release of product updates with full traceability.
• Manage Non-Recurring Change Orders (NRCs) and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), ensuring proper routing, review, documentation, and implementation of all engineering changes.
• Support prototype and pre-production builds by preparing comprehensive build documentation and coordinating configuration requirements across build phases.
• Validate material availability and resolve real-time build issues to keep prototype and pre-production activities on schedule.
• Create, maintain, and distribute Build Matrix documents that track SMT, FATP, and subsystem configurations across EVT, HVT, and PVT build phases.
• Drive Build Matrix review meetings with cross-functional teams and contract manufacturers to confirm configuration alignment and build timing.
• Communicate new parts, BOM updates, and engineering changes to internal teams and contract manufacturers, providing clear visibility into revision status, material impacts, and build readiness.
• Partner with Engineering, Component Engineering, Operations, and suppliers to validate components, align on sourcing strategies, and ensure manufacturability and technical compliance.
• Perform data analysis using Excel and internal tools to validate BOM accuracy, track build configurations, and support cost roll-up activities.
• Analyze Build Matrix data and supplier documentation to identify discrepancies, flag risks, and drive resolution prior to builds.
• Drive cross-functional alignment throughout the NPI lifecycle, ensuring BOM accuracy, material readiness, and smooth transitions from prototype to mass production.
• Support Change Control Board (CCB) activities and help maintain proper governance of hardware changes throughout build phases.
• Use PLM tools for change orders, part number management, and document control to support configuration management processes.
• Leverage OPS Central for supplier management, price input, and costing related to hardware builds and materials.
• Maintain build documentation and travel matrices in collaboration tools such as WorkDocs or LabCollab Wiki.
• Use Excel to perform BOM validation, Build Matrix tracking, and detailed data analysis to support operational decision-making.
• Capture meeting notes, planning documents, and collaboration records in tools such as Quip to support transparent communication and team coordination.
• Collaborate daily with product development teams and third-party suppliers on BOM and material management for multiple hardware programs.
• Submit and manage change order requests in PLM tools, ensuring they are accurately documented and processed in a timely manner.
• Support multiple programs and product lines, including customer terminal and accessories programs, by managing BOMs, build matrices, and device allocations.
• Coordinate with overseas suppliers and contract manufacturers, including teams in Asia, to support prototype builds and final device configurations before delivery to customers.
• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and stakeholder requests while maintaining high attention to detail and data accuracy.

Essential Skills

• 2–4 years of experience in a similar role in hardware NPI, manufacturing operations, or product development.
• Strong understanding of BOM structures and BOM creation, including complex hardware and subsystem configurations.
• Hands-on experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools, specifically Agile and Windchill, for change orders, part numbers, and document control.
• Hardware configuration management experience, including device and system-level configuration planning and tracking.
• Knowledge of system and device build planning and execution, including prototype and pre-production builds.
• Proficiency in advanced Excel functions, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP, for data analysis, BOM validation, and Build Matrix tracking.
• Experience performing data analysis to validate configurations, identify discrepancies, and support cost roll-up and operational decisions.
• Ability to coordinate effectively across engineering, operations, supply chain, and contract manufacturers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and manage competing deadlines efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Responsiveness and flexibility in managing changing requirements and build schedules.
• Bachelor’s degree.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Exposure to consumer electronics, aerospace, hardware devices, or similar industries; 2–4 years of experience in consumer electronics is a plus.
• Experience working with international and overseas suppliers or contract manufacturers is preferred.
• Familiarity with hardware device building and system building, including customer terminals and related accessories.
• Experience with silicon or customer silicon-based products is helpful for effective communication with engineering teams.
• Experience in product lifecycle management, configuration management, BOM management, and change order management across NPI phases.
• Experience with Agile PLM systems is beneficial for transitioning knowledge to current tools.
• Comfort working in an open, collaborative peer environment using tools such as Quip, WorkDocs, or LabCollab Wiki.
• Experience supporting engineering teams with BOM creation and management, build matrices, and device allocations for complex hardware programs.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including cross-functional collaboration and communication with suppliers and contract manufacturers.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, on-site role with Monday through Friday core hours totaling approximately 40 hours per week. The team works in a collaborative environment that emphasizes cross-functional interaction with engineering, operations, supply chain, and international suppliers. The role involves regular coordination with suppliers in Asia, which may require evening collaboration; however, team members are encouraged to manage their own work–life balance and are not expected to work both full days in the office and full evenings at home. Work is performed in an office setting with access to modern collaboration and productivity tools, including PLM systems, OPS Central, WorkDocs or LabCollab Wiki, Excel, and Quip. The environment supports open communication, peer collaboration, and close partnership with engineering teams on advanced hardware programs such as customer terminals and accessories.

This is a Contract position based out of Sunnyvale, CA.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Sunnyvale,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.

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 View email address on ziprecruiter.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.