Leads cross-functional optical networking product development projects from concept through production release. Responsibilities include managing schedules, resources, scope, risks, budgets, quality objectives, stakeholder communications, design reviews, phase gates, and new product introduction. The role coordinates hardware, software, firmware, mechanical, testing, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing teams while supporting roadmap planning, production readiness, continuous improvement, and executive reporting.
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Job Summary
The Project Manager will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and driving the successful execution of new product development projects within Adtran's Optical Engines organization. This role will partner closely with engineering, product management, operations, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with business objectives.
The successful candidate will have experience leading cross-functional hardware development projects, managing project schedules, mitigating risks, and communicating project status to stakeholders at all organizational levels. The Project Manager will play a key role in driving collaboration across geographically dispersed teams while supporting the development of innovative optical networking solutions.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead cross-functional product development projects from concept through production release.
- Develop and maintain project schedules, milestones, resource plans, and project deliverables.
- Coordinate activities across hardware, firmware, software, mechanical, test, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing teams.
- Drive project execution to meet scope, schedule, cost, and quality objectives.
- Identify project risks, develop mitigation plans, and proactively manage issues throughout the product lifecycle.
- Monitor project progress and communicate status, risks, dependencies, and key metrics to stakeholders and leadership.
- Facilitate project meetings, technical reviews, design reviews, and phase-gate activities.
- Collaborate with Product Management to support product roadmap planning and prioritization activities.
- Work closely with Operations and Manufacturing teams to support new product introduction (NPI) and production readiness activities.
- Manage changes to project scope, schedules, and resources through established processes.
- Ensure compliance with Adtran product development processes and best practices.
- Foster collaboration across global teams and create alignment among functional stakeholders.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives within project management and product development processes.
- Support customer commitments and strategic business objectives through effective project execution.
- Prepare and deliver executive-level project summaries and presentations.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of project management experience leading cross-functional product development projects.
- Experience managing hardware, optical networking, telecommunications, or technology-focused development programs.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong understanding of product development lifecycle processes.
- Experience utilizing project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Azure DevOps, Smartsheet, or equivalent.
- Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
- Ability to influence and drive results across cross-functional teams without direct authority.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- PMP (Project Management Professional) certification or equivalent project management certification.
- Experience leading optical networking, telecommunications, hardware, or embedded systems development projects.
- Knowledge of Agile, Stage-Gate, and hybrid product development methodologies.
- Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and manufacturing transitions.
- Familiarity with optical transceivers, optical networking systems, or telecommunications infrastructure products.
- Experience working with geographically distributed engineering teams.
- Understanding of hardware development processes, verification testing, and product qualification activities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage ambiguity and changing priorities.
- Excellent facilitation and conflict-resolution capabilities.
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to maintain a strategic perspective.
- Proven ability to build relationships and establish credibility across technical and business organizations.
- Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
- Results-driven with a continuous improvement mindset.
Travel Requirements
- Up to 10% travel.
- Domestic travel as required.
- International travel as required.
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