Contract Manufacturing Program Manager
Apply on SambaNova Systems's site
SambaNova is a leader in next-generation AI infrastructure, delivering a full-stack inference platform for customers worldwide. At the core of SambaNova's technology is the RDU (Reconfigurable Dataflow Unit) — a chip built on a dataflow architecture rather than the traditional GPU model. Its decode performance is especially strong for agentic workloads like multi-turn agents, code generation, and long-running applications. RDUs are packaged into SambaRack, rack-scale hardware that lets customers deploy state-of-the-art models with better performance, greater energy efficiency, and faster time to value.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Contract Manufacturing (CM) Program Manager to own our outsourced production and act as the primary link between SambaNova and our third-party manufacturing partners. In this role you will manage program schedules, product cost, quality metrics, and supply chain continuity to ensure our CM partners deliver on time, on budget, and to specification.
You will operate across the full electronics manufacturing stack — from PCBA through system build and rack integration — partnering closely with engineering, procurement, quality, and supply chain to move products from NPI through volume ramp. The ideal candidate is hands-on, comfortable driving accountability across multiple vendors, and thrives in a fast-paced environment where scale and speed both matter.
Responsibilities
Vendor Management
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) and drive them to on-time delivery and performance goals.
- Serve as the single point of contact and escalation path between SambaNova and its manufacturing partners.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Align internal teams — including engineering, procurement, and quality assurance — with external factory floors.
- Translate internal product requirements and build plans into clear, executable direction for CM partners.
Schedule and Cost Control
- Track production milestones against committed build plans and drive recovery when schedules slip.
- Manage program budgets and negotiate cost productivity improvements with CM partners.
Risk and Change Management
- Identify and mitigate supply chain disruptions before they impact customer commitments.
- Own engineering change orders (ECOs) through the product lifecycle, ensuring clean cut-in at the CM and minimal excess/obsolete exposure.
Quality and Compliance
- Ensure manufactured goods meet regulatory guidelines and SambaNova quality standards.
- Partner with quality assurance on yield, containment, and corrective action for field and factory escapes.
KPIs and Business Reviews
- Monitor KPIs across delivery, quality, and cost, and implement corrective actions as needed.
- Lead quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with CM partners, including scorecard reviews and improvement commitments.
Special Assignments
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, business, or a related technical field.
- 7+ years of experience in contract manufacturing, electronics, or hardware production operations.
- Direct experience in electronics manufacturing from PCBA through rack integration.
- Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP) and Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.
- Advanced negotiation, leadership, and multi-vendor program management capabilities.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing global CM partners and suppliers for L10–L12 assemblies.
- Knowledge of NPI processes and scaling manufacturing operations through volume ramp.
- Experience with BOM structures and ECO, MCO, and deviation processes.
- Background in data center, server, or AI infrastructure hardware.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to CM partner sites as needed.
Why This Role Matters
SambaNova’s ability to deliver AI systems at scale depends on our manufacturing partners executing flawlessly. This role owns that outcome — your work directly determines whether we hit customer delivery commitments, hold our cost targets, and ship products that meet our quality bar as we expand into new customers and regions.
Base Salary Range:
Base Pay Range
$165,000—$200,000 USD
**Submission Guidelines **Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at SambaNova Systems, you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified.
**EEO Policy **SambaNova Systems is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Benefits Summary for US-Based, Full-Time Employment Positions SambaNova offers a competitive total rewards package, including the base salary, plus equity and benefits. We cover 95% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, and 77% premium coverage for dependents and offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution. We also offer Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life, and AD&D insurance plans in addition to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options like Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care. Our library of well-being benefits available to you and your dependents includes a full subscription to Headspace, Gympass+ membership with access to physical gyms, One Medical membership, counseling services with an Employee Assistance Program, and much more.
About SambaNova Systems
SambaNova Systems builds AI hardware and integrated systems to run AI applications from the data center to the cloud.
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