Qualcomm

Senior Director, Program Management - Data Center Custom Silicon

Qualcomm$228K — $342K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of Program Management or a related work experience.
  • Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field (preferred).
  • 20+ years of semiconductor, silicon, hardware or systems program management experience (preferred).
  • Experience leading complex cross-functional technical programs for custom silicon (preferred).
  • 5+ years of experience in people leadership, managing senior program managers (preferred).
  • Strong understanding of silicon lifecycle execution from design to production ramp (preferred).

Responsibilities

  • Lead the program management organization for external custom silicon programs.
  • Develop and manage program Plans of Record, including schedules and budgets.
  • Own execution cadence with regular program and risk reviews.
  • Build executive dashboards for leadership updates on program health.
  • Translate customer demands into actionable execution plans and commitments.
  • Establish a centralized program health tracking system.
  • Collaborate with various departments to track technical readiness and supply chain risks.

Benefits

  • Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
  • Opportunities for annual RSU grants.
  • Comprehensive benefits package supporting work-life balance.
Full Job Description
General Summary:

The Qualcomm Data Center Custom Silicon Group is seeking a senior Program Management leader to lead the customer program management organization responsible for the world's most complex custom silicon programs for hyperscale and strategic data center customers.

This leader will own the execution operating system for external custom silicon engagements, including customer commitment tracking, Plan of Record governance, program milestones, executive dashboards, risk management, cross-functional escalation, and delivery readiness from engagement approval through tapeout, bring-up, qualification, production ramp, and customer acceptance.

The role requires deep semiconductor program execution experience, strong executive communication, and the ability to drive alignment across Engineering, Product Management, Business Development, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Quality, and external customer stakeholders.

This is not a status-reporting role. This leader will be accountable for ensuring CSG has a clear, accurate, and actionable view of customer demand, committed deliverables, execution risks, required decisions, and overall program health.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities
  • Lead the Custom Silicon Group Program Management organization responsible for external customer programs across hyperscaler and strategic data center accounts.
  • Develop, define, and manage execution of program Plans of Record, including schedules, budgets, resources, deliverables, risks, milestones, and cross-functional dependencies.
  • Own the CSG program execution cadence, including weekly program reviews, customer commitment reviews, risk reviews, escalation forums, and executive operating updates.
  • Build and maintain executive dashboards for Data Center EVP, CEO, CFO, and senior leadership reviews, including program health, customer commitments, milestone status, demand gaps, resource constraints, top risks, and required decisions.
  • Drive customer-demand execution governance by translating customer asks into committed scope, execution plans, constraints, risks, and decision points in partnership with Product Management, Business Development, Sales, Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Legal.
  • Establish a single source of truth for custom silicon program health across tapeout, bring-up, validation, qualification, production readiness, supply readiness, customer deliverables, and ramp execution.
  • Partner with Product Management to manage requirement baselines, scope changes, customer-specific tradeoffs, reuse opportunities, and roadmap implications.
  • Partner with Business Development and Sales to support pursuit-to-program handoff, customer commitment clarity, escalation preparation, and alignment between commercial expectations and execution reality.
  • Partner with Engineering leaders to track technical readiness, design closure, verification progress, software/firmware dependencies, validation risks, post-silicon bring-up, and resource constraints.
  • Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Sourcing, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to track foundry, OSAT, packaging, test, yield, reliability, production ramp, and supply readiness risks.
  • Partner with Finance to link program milestones, NRE, revenue timing, investment requirements, operating budgets, and financial risks for executive decision-making.
  • Partner with Legal and commercial teams to ensure program deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, and contractual commitments are clear, executable, and tracked.
  • Drive disciplined risk management, including early identification of schedule, scope, technical, supply, customer, commercial, and financial risks.
  • Escalate issues in a timely and structured manner with clear options, tradeoffs, ownership, and recommended decisions.
  • Standardize program management processes, dashboards, templates, operating reviews, and best practices across CSG customer programs.
  • Develop and lead a team of Program Managers responsible for individual customer programs, ensuring consistent execution discipline, customer readiness, and leadership visibility.
  • Represent CSG program execution status to internal executives and, where appropriate, directly to external customer stakeholders.


While there is a strong preference for this position to be based in San Diego, Qualcomm's Santa Clara office site can also be considered. This position is expected to comply with the Company's onsite work policy.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 10+ years of Program Management or related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field.
  • 20+ years of semiconductor, silicon, hardware or systems program management experience.
  • Experience leading custom silicon, ASIC, SoC, AI accelerator, networking, switch, NIC, or data center infrastructure programs.
  • 8+ years of experience leading complex cross-functional technical programs.
  • 5+ years of people leadership experience, including managing senior program managers or technical program leaders.
  • Experience with hyperscaler or large strategic customer programs.
  • Strong understanding of silicon lifecycle execution, including architecture, design, verification, physical implementation, tapeout, silicon bring-up, validation, qualification, production readiness, and ramp.
  • Experience with advanced process nodes, high-performance SoCs, high-speed interfaces, advanced packaging, HBM, networking silicon, or AI infrastructure products.
  • Experience managing program execution tied to NRE, customer milestones, contractual deliverables, revenue timing, and production commitments.
  • Demonstrated ability to build executive dashboards and communicate clearly with EVP, CEO, CFO, customer executive, and board-level audiences.
  • Strong executive presence with ability to operate as a neutral execution leader across Product Management, Business Development, Sales, Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Legal.
  • Experience defining program management operating models, stage gates, KPIs, risk management frameworks, and executive escalation mechanisms.


Key Success Measures
  • Clear, accurate, and trusted executive view of CSG program health.
  • On-time execution against committed customer milestones.
  • Early identification and escalation of material risks.
  • Improved clarity between customer demand, committed scope, execution feasibility, and business impact.
  • Strong alignment across Engineering, Product Management, BD, Sales, Operations, Finance, Legal, and customers.
  • Consistent program management discipline across all major custom silicon engagements.
  • Reduced surprises in EVP / CEO / CFO reviews.
  • Stronger customer confidence in Qualcomm's ability to execute complex custom silicon programs.


Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a senior semiconductor program leader who has managed complex external customer programs at scale. This person must be technical enough to challenge engineering execution plans, commercially aware enough to understand customer and financial commitments, and operationally disciplined enough to create a reliable execution control system.

This leader should be comfortable operating without direct authority over many matrixed functions while still driving accountability, decisions, and closure.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$228,000.00 - $342,000.00

The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer - and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm Ventures is the investment arm of Qualcomm Incorporated. Founded in 2000, Qualcomm Ventures is a corporate venture capital fund with over 150 active portfolio companies and more than 20 exits over a billion dollars, including 99 Taxis, Cruise Automation, Fitbit, Invensense, NQ Mobile, Waze, and more. As a global investor, Qualcomm Ventures helps connect entrepreneurs to the resources, relationships, and deep industry expertise they need to succeed in the mobile technology ecosystem.

Qualcomm Careers

Joining Qualcomm offers more than just a job opportunity; it's a gateway to a career infused with innovation, leadership, and growth. As a pivotal leader in the world of wireless technology, Qualcomm stands at the forefront of digital communication advancements. Our team of professionals is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible, making this an ideal time to become part of our global community.

Work You’ll Do

At Qualcomm, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, engaging in work that transforms the way the world connects, computes, and communicates. Our diverse team is driven by a shared passion for creating path-breaking wireless technologies that empower mobile ecosystems worldwide.

Innovate and Grow

Embrace the opportunity to innovate alongside leaders in the field and contribute to projects that have a global impact. Qualcomm is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, ensuring that every team member has the opportunity to make a significant impact.

Professional Growth and Development

Qualcomm is dedicated to the professional growth of its employees, offering unparalleled benefits, diverse career paths, and extensive training programs that encourage professional and personal development. Whether you're looking for leadership roles or specialized technical positions, Qualcomm provides the resources and support to help you drive your career forward.

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce fuels our innovation and reflects our commitment to making a positive impact. Qualcomm’s inclusive culture and diversity training programs are designed to promote an environment where all employees can thrive.

Internship Programs

Start your career with Qualcomm through our dynamic internship programs. These opportunities allow you to apply your skills in real-world scenarios, providing a robust foundation for future employment. Internships at Qualcomm are characterized by meaningful projects and the chance to network with industry leaders.

Join Our Team

Explore the numerous job opportunities at Qualcomm, from engineering to marketing, and discover how your skills and interests align with our mission. We are continuously hiring creative and driven individuals who are ready to contribute to our culture of innovation.

Prepare for Your Interview

Ready to join our team? Prepare your resume to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Our interview process is designed to understand your capabilities and how they align with our goals at Qualcomm. We look for passionate, curious, and innovative team players who are ready to take the next step in their careers.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Qualcomm by following our careers blog. Gain insider perspectives and industry-leading insights that can help you navigate your professional journey.

Career Opportunities Await

At Qualcomm, your career is what you make of it. With support for your ambitions and a network of global professionals, the opportunities to advance and excel are nearly limitless. Join us and be part of a team that’s leading the world in next-generation technology.

Search Qualcomm Jobs

Discover the positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for individuals who are ready to make an impact and excel in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Explore Qualcomm Careers

Whether you're seeking an internship, a first job, or a leadership position, Qualcomm offers a range of opportunities across various disciplines. Let your career journey begin here, where innovation, leadership, and growth come together to create extraordinary outcomes.
Learn more about Qualcomm
Size
45,000 employees
Market Cap
$122.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.7 billion
Founded
1985
5 Year Trend
+14.7%
Revenue
$26.6 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Qualcomm

More Telecommunications & Hardware Jobs

Find similar Senior Director, Program Management - Data Center Custom Silicon jobs: