Technical Program Manager, Avicena Tech
Office located in Sunnyvale, CA
High bandwidth semiconductor interconnects
Open for applications
High bandwidth semiconductor interconnects
21-100 employees
Open for applications
Office located in Sunnyvale, CA
21-100 employees
Company mission
To unleash the power of next-generation computer architectures.
Role
Who you are
- Proven experience leading complex technical programs in a hardware-centric environment
- Experience with complex technical systems; optoelectronics experience strongly preferred
- Demonstrated success releasing products at scale
- Experience working in cross-functional, multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Strong knowledge of phase gate methodologies and business creation processes
- Experience with PLM systems and structured product development cycles
- Master Agile frameworks adapted to hardware development
- Proficient with program management tools such as Confluence, Jira, Smartsheet, Monday.com, and Microsoft Project
- Hands-on experience with quality methodologies in processing and testing (GRR, SPC, Six Sigma), and root cause analysis (DMAIC, 8D)
- Familiarity with design methodologies such as FMEA, DRBFM, statistical design, and DOE
- Experience with managing external partners
- Experience with data analysis using JMP, Python or other similar software
- Familiarity with database structure such as SQL
- If you are passionate about building structure in high-innovation environments and enabling world-class engineering teams to deliver breakthrough optoelectronic products, we would love to hear from you
What the job involves
- This role is primarily program and project management focused and resides in the engineering department
- You will evolve in a very multidisciplinary technical environment, spanning from ASIC design, Semiconductor Packaging, Epitaxy Growth, MicroLED Fab Operations, Testing, Reliability, MicroLEDs, Micro-optics, Photodetectors, System and Software
- You will partner closely with leadership to coordinate complex cross-functional engineering efforts, enforce accountability, introduce scalable program management frameworks, and implement strong quality methodologies to enable success of the programs
- Build and implement a scalable program management framework
- Define and manage goals, milestones, KPIs, and program dashboards in Confluence and Jira
- Develop and maintain integrated schedules and resource allocation plans (e.g. with Microsoft Project)
- Prepare and lead milestone reviews and phase gate reviews
- Create concise, high-impact executive summaries and visual reporting for management
- Manage day-to-day coordination of multidisciplinary technical teams
- Track and follow up on action items, enforce accountability, and remove blockers
- Facilitate decision-making and push for timely resolutions
- Prioritize activities based on urgency and business impact
- Implement time tracking and structured reporting using Confluence and Jira
- Introduce and standardize quality control methodologies across programs
- Lead risk assessments using structured methodologies
- Drive root cause analysis initiatives and workstreams
- Develop internal technical specifications and datasheet frameworks with technology owners
- Establish systems to track specifications consistently and generate management dashboards
- Promote best practices in experimental design (DOE), statistical methods, and process standardization
Our take
Copper has been the industry standard for chip-to-chip interconnects since it was introduced by IBM back in 1997. Now, however, the computational demands of more complex systems like AI, machine learning, and cloud systems are too high: copper interconnects are creating bottlenecks thanks to sub-optimal latency and power consumption.
Avicena Tech has developed a new system - and it could be a game changer. It uses micro-LEDs to create ultra-dense, low-latency, low-cost, and low-power optical interconnects, thereby facilitating the kind of high-performance architecture that’s in increasingly high demand.
It’s a solution that’s attracted healthy funding from major players including Samsung Catalyst Fund and Cerberus Capital Management. This suggests substantial faith in Avicena’s ambition that its technology could help unlock the future of distributed high-performance computing. Recently, the company launched the world’s first microLED optical interconnect evaluation kit, showing that it is at the forefront of the sector.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Funding (last 2 of 3 rounds)
May 2025
$65m
SERIES B
Aug 2022
$25m
SERIES A
Total funding: $96.5m
Company benefits
- Stock Options
- Medical, Dental, Vision & Disability
- 401(k)
- Free Food
Company HQ
Alviso, San Jose, CA
Leadership
Bardia Pezeshki
(Founder & CEO/CTO)After their PhD in Electrical Engineering at Stanford, they held various Managerial roles at IBM's T.J. Watson Research Center and then SDL Inc. Subsequently served as CTO at Santur Corporation, and then CEO at Kaiam Corporation.
Rob Kalman
(Chief Scientist)Worked on photonic interconnects and optical subsystems at Optivision and ONI Systems, and has subsequently held various VP roles at Luminous Networks and Thryva (which he co-founded).
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