NPI Operations Manager
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: contract
Company: The Select Group
Job Description Apply Now
Arista Networks – NPI Operations ManagerStart Date: ASAP
Location: Santa Clara, CA – Hybrid (3 days onsite)
Duration: 6+ months, long-term with strong conversion potential
Role Overview
The NPI Operations Manager drives hardware product development from early prototypes through release to manufacturing. About 75% of the role is NPI development and 25% is manufacturing support. Heavy cross-functional work with engineering, manufacturing, and supplier partners.
Ideal Background
- Mechanical Engineer who moved into Program/NPI Operations
- 3–5 years of program management specific to hardware
- Strong experience with PCB design/manufacturing and system-level networking hardware
- Experience in companies like: Cisco, Juniper, HPE, Brocade, EMC, Jabil, Sanmina, Flex
Thermal engineering, liquid cooling, mechanical product design, rack-mounted systems.
Tools are flexible (Office, Google Suite, Smartsheet, MS Project).
Must-Have Skills
- 3+ years managing hardware programs
- Strong NPI experience; multiple NPI cycles completed
- PCB manufacturing/program experience
- Routing/switching/networking hardware (system-level)
- Scheduling, prototype planning, and build oversight
- Executive-level communication and status reporting
- Experience managing internal (EE/ME teams) + external (CMs) stakeholders
- Familiarity with Agile project practices
- Mechanical Engineering degree or similar technical background
Day-to-Day Breakdown
- 50% – Work with hardware engineering on schedules, prototypes, milestones, and build tracking
- 25% – Internal meetings and executive reporting
- 25% – Work with contract manufacturers; align on build readiness and schedule adherence
Core Responsibilities
- Lead cross-functional teams (HW, SW, Diagnostics, Manufacturing, PM, Customer Support)
- Build and drive the master program schedule
- Oversee prototype builds and ensure alignment across engineering and CMs
- Monitor cost, schedule, and readiness across lifecycle phases
- Identify and resolve cross-functional issues; escalate where needed
- Predict downstream impact of delays/quality issues and build contingency plans
- Support continuous improvement of product development processes
Arista Networks – NPI Operations Manager
Start Date: ASAP
Location: Santa Clara, CA – Hybrid (3 days onsite)
Duration: 6+ months, long-term with strong conversion potential
Role Overview
The NPI Operations Manager drives hardware product development from early prototypes through release to manufacturing. About 75% of the role is NPI development and 25% is manufacturing support. Heavy cross-functional work with engineering, manufacturing, and supplier partners.
Ideal Background
- Mechanical Engineer who moved into Program/NPI Operations
- 3–5 years of program management specific to hardware
- Strong experience with PCB design/manufacturing and system-level networking hardware
- Experience in companies like: Cisco, Juniper, HPE, Brocade, EMC, Jabil, Sanmina, Flex
Thermal engineering, liquid cooling, mechanical product design, rack-mounted systems.
Tools are flexible (Office, Google Suite, Smartsheet, MS Project).
Must-Have Skills
- 3+ years managing hardware programs
- Strong NPI experience; multiple NPI cycles completed
- PCB manufacturing/program experience
- Routing/switching/networking hardware (system-level)
- Scheduling, prototype planning, and build oversight
- Executive-level communication and status reporting
- Experience managing internal (EE/ME teams) + external (CMs) stakeholders
- Familiarity with Agile project practices
- Mechanical Engineering degree or similar technical background
Day-to-Day Breakdown
- 50% – Work with hardware engineering on schedules, prototypes, milestones, and build tracking
- 25% – Internal meetings and executive reporting
- 25% – Work with contract manufacturers; align on build readiness and schedule adherence
Core Responsibilities
- Lead cross-functional teams (HW, SW, Diagnostics, Manufacturing, PM, Customer Support)
- Build and drive the master program schedule
- Oversee prototype builds and ensure alignment across engineering and CMs
- Monitor cost, schedule, and readiness across lifecycle phases
- Identify and resolve cross-functional issues; escalate where needed
- Predict downstream impact of delays/quality issues and build contingency plans
- Support continuous improvement of product development processes
TSG is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
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