Software Program Manager, Software Engineering Operations
We are seeking a Software Program Manager to drive execution across key software initiatives for our next-generation products, in a fast-paced, customer-focused silicon and networking startup building interconnect for high-performance computing (HPC) and AI datacenters. This role requires solid cross-functional coordination, disciplined execution, technical fluency, and the ability to create clarity across complex software, firmware, hardware, validation, product, and customer-facing workstreams.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, pragmatic, and comfortable operating in ambiguity. They can establish
customized
and effective processes, align engineering teams around priorities and milestones, identify risks early, and communicate clearly with technical teams, executives, and customer-facing stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Drive Software Project Execution
Lead planning and execution for key software initiatives, including project schedules, milestones, dependencies, deliverables, and execution status. Partner closely with software engineering leaders to ensure work is prioritized, tracked, and delivered effectively.
Drive Software Execution for Next-Generation Products
Own the software schedules, deliverables, and dependencies that support next-generation product milestones. Track commitments flowing in both directions between software, firmware, hardware, and platform teams, and surface scope, schedule, and integration tradeoffs early so they are resolved by the right decision makers.
Drive Cross-Functional Software Project Alignment
Partner with teams across the software delivery lifecycle, including development, test, DevOps, firmware, hardware, platform and systems engineering, and field organizations. Drive alignment on priorities, dependencies, risks, release readiness, and customer commitments to ensure coordinated execution across projects.
Support Release Planning and Readiness
Partner with engineering and product teams to plan software releases, track release scope, coordinate readiness reviews, manage defects and issue visibility, and support go/no-go decision-making.
Provide Visibility and Operating Cadence
Establish and maintain clear dashboards, status reporting, risk registers, milestone tracking, and communication rhythms. Provide concise updates to engineering leadership and executives on progress, risks, dependencies, and tradeoffs.
Coordinate Customer-Impacting Issues
Drive visibility and follow-through on customer-facing software issues, escalations, and commitments. Work with engineering, support, product, and field teams to track ownership, mitigation plans, and resolution status.
Improve Engineering Operations
Identify opportunities to improve planning, Jira workflows, release tracking, status reporting, bug triage, dependency management, and overall engineering execution. Implement practical, lightweight processes that improve predictability without creating unnecessary overhead.
Facilitate Prioritization and Tradeoff Discussions
Help teams evaluate competing priorities, resource constraints, schedule risks, and customer commitments. Ensure decision points are surfaced clearly and resolved with the right stakeholders.
Maintain Project Artifacts and Decision Records
Ensure project plans, schedules, risks, decisions, dependencies, and execution status are documented and accessible. Partner with engineering and architecture teams to ensure technical documentation of ownership remains clear.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 3+ years of experience in software project management, including direct ownership of schedules, dependencies, and release execution.
- Experience supporting high-performance computing (HPC), AI/ML infrastructure, or other performance-critical systems environments.
- Experience coordinating software deliverables against hardware or platform schedules, including bring-up, integration, and system-level milestones.
- Strong knowledge of modern methodologies, AI workflows, and proficiency with tools such as Jira and Confluence.
- Excellent communication and coordination skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Software Engineering background.
- Exposure to fabric, networking, or silicon product development, or AI training and inference infrastructure at scale.
Location: This is a remote position for employees residing within the United States
We offer a competitive compensation package that includes equity, cash, and incentives, along with health and retirement benefits. Our dynamic, flexible work environment provides the opportunity to collaborate with some of the most influential names in the semiconductor industry.
At Cornelis Networks your base salary is only one component of your comprehensive total rewards package. Your base pay will be determined by factors such as your skills, qualifications, experience, and location relative to the hiring range for the position. Depending on your role, you may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, including an annual bonus or sales incentives.
In addition to your base pay, you'll have access to a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as disability and life insurance, a dependent care flexible spending account, accidental injury insurance, and pet insurance. We also offer generous paid holidays, 401(k) with company match, and Open Time Off (OTO) for regular full-time exempt employees. Other paid time off benefits include sick time, bonding leave, and pregnancy disability leave.
