Sr. Hardware Program Manager

Senior Hardware Program Manager

Fresh Consulting is a design-led, software development and hardware engineering company, offering end-to-end digital services to help companies innovate. We bring together amazing UX designers, sophisticated developers, digital strategists, and top-notch engineers to help companies create fresh experiences that connect humans, systems, and machines.

Fresh Consulting is seeking an experienced Senior Hardware Program Manager who believes that a problem isn't truly solved until it's solved for all. That's why Fresh Consulting enables our clients to design and deliver creative innovative products and solutions that help create opportunities for everyone. As a Senior Program Manager at Fresh Consulting, you independently lead complex, multi-disciplinary hardware and software engineering programs utilizing your deep engineering expertise. You will collaborate with external clients to understand the problem/opportunity space, define requirements, and drive programs through the entire product lifecycle. The successful candidate is equally at home explaining your team's analyses and recommendations to executives as you are discussing technical trade-offs in product development with engineers. Using your extensive technical and project delivery leadership expertise, you will independently manage programs of various sizes and scope, identifying future opportunities, improving processes, and driving the technical direction of your programs.

Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead complex, multi-disciplinary hardware and software programs from concept through production, independently managing scope, schedule, budget, and quality throughout the product lifecycle (EVT, DVT, PVT phases).
• Coordinate requirements and deliverables across hardware, firmware, mechanical, and software engineering teams, resolving conflicts, dependencies, and technical tradeoffs while ensuring teams understand architectural priorities.
• Manage hardware-specific program elements including supplier/vendor relationships, electronics manufacturing services (EMS) partnerships, component sourcing, BOM management, and manufacturing transition planning.
• Oversee hardware validation, testing programs, and regulatory compliance processes (FCC, CE, UL certifications) to ensure products meet quality standards and market requirements.
• Ensure programs execute successfully on time, on budget, and in scope by actively managing scope, schedule, resources, risks, and quality metrics throughout the program lifecycle.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Partner independently with external clients and stakeholders at all levels to understand needs, translate them into actionable program goals and deliverables, and drive strategy-aligned outcomes.
• Communicate program status, risks, and recommendations effectively to diverse audiencesfrom engineering teams to executive leadershiptailoring message and channel to achieve desired outcomes.
• Develop comprehensive solution plans and articulate dependencies, tradeoffs, risks, and benefits to all stakeholders to drive informed decision-making.
• Set clear expectations with clients, internal stakeholders, team members, and leadership, building trust through candid conversations and transparent communication.

Program Management

• Provide comprehensive program planning including milestone management, capacity planning, resource forecasting, and financial tracking to maintain program health.
• Define and embed project controls and governance frameworks tailored to each program's needs, ensuring appropriate rigor without bureaucracy.
• Monitor key program health metrics, identify potential deviations early, and define corrective actions for critical issues before they impact program success.
• Ensure all technical and non-functional requirements (reliability, scalability, security, manufacturability) are documented, tracked, and executed appropriately.
• Manage program changes to scope, schedule, and costs using appropriate project/program management methodologies adapted to the specific needs of hardware development cycles.

Team Development & Process Improvement

• Build, develop, and coach high-performing cross-functional engineering teams, providing hands-on guidance and support to facilitate sustainable velocity.
• Deal effectively with ambiguous and unstructured business and technical problems, bringing clarity and structure to help teams move forward.
• Drive process improvement and adoption of best practices (processes, tools, methodologies) to improve program delivery effectiveness and team efficiency.
• Leverage various project management frameworks and methodologies (waterfall, agile, hybrid) appropriately, meeting teams and clients where they are while guiding them toward optimal practices.

What You'll Bring: Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.
• 8+ years in hardware development industry with at least 5+ years in technical program management roles, demonstrating progressive responsibility and independence.
• Proven track record of independently planning, executing, and delivering complex technical programs on time, on budget, and in scope.
• Deep understanding of hardware development cycles including EVT (Engineering Validation Test), DVT (Design Validation Test), and PVT (Production Validation Test) phases.
• Experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Test (DFT), and transitioning products from development to production.
• Familiarity with electronics manufacturing services (EMS) partnerships, supply chain management, and hardware cost structures/BOM management.
• Experience managing programs with diverse technical teams including hardware engineers, firmware developers, mechanical engineers, and software developers.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts to both engineering teams and executive leadership, framing discussions to drive decisions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience managing medium to large-scale technical systems and programs.

Technical Knowledge

• Solid understanding of hardware engineering principles and product development lifecycle (PLM) to effectively guide technical discussions and decisions.
• Knowledge of systems engineering, hardware architecture, and the interplay between hardware, firmware, and software components.
• Understanding of regulatory compliance requirements and certification processes for hardware products.
• Familiarity with technical risk management specific to hardware development (component obsolescence, supply chain, manufacturing yield, etc.).

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple complex programs simultaneously.
• Strong leadership presence with ability to influence and drive action across all levels of client and internal organizations without direct authority.
• Excellent conflict resolution skills with ability to turn friction into win-win scenarios and maintain productive team dynamics.
• High emotional intelligence and strong relationship-building skills to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Established track record of accountability and follow-through, delivering on commitments consistently.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with ability to tailor communication style to different audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior hands-on electrical or mechanical engineering experience (design, validation, or test engineering background).
• Experience in consultancy or agency environments managing multiple client programs concurrently.
• Track record of driving full product lifecycle in fast-paced, startup-like environments with limited resources.
• Experience with AI, robotics, or IoT product development.
• PMP, PMI-ACP, or other relevant project management certifications.

Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.

Fresh Consulting is a participating E-Verify company.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Range $145K $165K.