Avicena is a privately held company developing microLED based ultra-low power high bandwidth interconnects for chip-to-chip communications.  This technology will revolutionize High-Performance (HPC) and Cloud computing, as well as other industries where low power interconnects are critical like camera sensors, autonomous vehicles, and aerospace. Avicena is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with a development center in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was founded in 2019 by leading technologists from the optical networking industry with a track record of delivering breakthrough products.  (www.avicena.tech)   

About the role:

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.

Responsibilities:

Program Management Framework Development

• 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.

Technical Workstream Coordination

• 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.

Quality and Process Excellence

• 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.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• 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.

What We Are Looking For

• A highly organized driver who thrives in fast-paced startup environments.
• Strong communicator capable of synthesizing complex technical information into clear executive-level summaries.
• A structured thinker who brings discipline, accountability, and clarity to growing engineering teams.
• A leader who elevates execution standards across the organization.

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.