Senior Engineering Program Manager Engineering Operations Engineering Program Management Santa Clara, CA Santa Clara, CA Full-time 200000 - 500000 Role Overview Velaura is designing the compute silicon that will power the next generation of robots, autonomous systems, and intelligent machines operating in the physical world. As Senior Engineering Program Manager, you will drive execution of our Physical AI System-on-Chip (SoC) program across its full scope: silicon development, platform hardware, software, and third-party IP (3PIP) vendors. This role is the connective tissue of the program. You will own the integrated program schedule from architecture through tapeout, silicon bring-up, and platform/software readiness— coordinating internal engineering teams, external IP providers, and manufacturing partners. You will surface risks early, drive decisions to closure, and keep a complex, multi-disciplinary program moving at startup speed. Role Overview Velaura is designing the compute silicon that will power the next generation of robots, autonomous systems, and intelligent machines operating in the physical world. As Senior Engineering Program Manager, you will drive execution of our Physical AI System-on-Chip (SoC) program across its full scope: silicon development, platform hardware, software, and third-party IP (3PIP) vendors. This role is the connective tissue of the program. You will own the integrated program schedule from architecture through tapeout, silicon bring-up, and platform/software readiness— coordinating internal engineering teams, external IP providers, and manufacturing partners. You will surface risks early, drive decisions to closure, and keep a complex, multi-disciplinary program moving at startup speed. Why Velaura? Velaura is building next-generation compute technology for cloud, edge, and Physical AI. Our solutions will enable robots, autonomous systems, drones, and other intelligent machines to operate efficiently in the physical world. This is an opportunity to help build foundational technology at a time when the industry is undergoing fundamental change. You will work alongside experienced leaders, architects, engineers, and operators who have delivered industry-defining products across mobile, cloud, semiconductor, and AI platforms. If you enjoy solving difficult problems, working across disciplines, and helping shape the future of Physical AI, we would love to hear from you. Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Velaura is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. We also take affirmative action to offer employment opportunities to minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Velaura is committed to working with qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities. Applicants who would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or who need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process may contact us at: careers@velaura.ai. This contact information is for accommodation requests only. Evaluation of requests for reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end SoC program plan: define and maintain the integrated schedule spanning architecture, RTL design, verification, physical design, tapeout, silicon bring-up, and production readiness.

Drive platform and software program execution in parallel with silicon—board development, firmware, drivers, SDK, and system validation—so that software and platform readiness track silicon milestones.

Manage third-party IP (3PIP) vendor engagements: track licensing and contract milestones, deliverable schedules, quality metrics, errata, and integration dependencies across multiple IP providers.

Run program-level rhythm: milestone reviews, cross-functional syncs, executive status reporting, and decision logs that keep stakeholders aligned and accountable.

Identify, quantify, and drive mitigation of program risks across silicon, platform, software, and vendor workstreams; escalate with data and proposed options, not just problems.

Coordinate external execution partners—foundry, OSAT, design services, and platform manufacturing—on schedules, deliverables, and dependencies.

Build the program management processes, tools, and templates for a growing engineering organization, and mentor teams on execution discipline

Required Qualifications

10+ years of engineering program management experience in semiconductors, with at least one complex SoC program managed from architecture through tapeout and bring-up.

Demonstrated experience managing programs that span silicon, platform hardware, and software—understanding the distinct execution rhythms and dependencies of each.

Hands-on experience managing third-party IP vendors, including deliverable tracking, milestone-based contracts, and cross-vendor dependency management.

Working technical fluency in SoC development: ability to engage credibly in discussions of RTL milestones, verification coverage, physical design closure, DFT, and software/firmware bring-up.

Expert command of program management fundamentals: schedule development and critical-path analysis, risk management, change control, and stakeholder communication.

Proven ability to influence without authority across engineering, vendor, and executive audiences; excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with programs in advanced process nodes and with foundry/OSAT engagement models.

Experience in edge AI, automotive, robotics, or other embedded/safety-adjacent domains, including familiarity with quality and functional-safety development processes.

Experience at an early-stage or high-growth company, building program management practices from the ground up.

Master's degree in engineering or business.

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