Staff Engineering Program Manager

About the role

Heron Power is developing advanced power electronics to modernize the electrical grid and support the transition to renewable energy. This role leads the execution of our next-generation power conversion platform, managing the product lifecycle from initial architecture through manufacturing.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Manage the end-to-end integration of our initial product launch by defining milestones for concept, architecture, validation, and production.
• Coordinate efforts between power electronics, firmware, software, and systems integration teams to ensure roadmap alignment.
• Oversee program planning across hardware design, controls, reliability, supply chain, and manufacturing.
• Collaborate with technical leads to document design tradeoffs and manage product requirements.
• Participate in technical design, architecture, and validation readiness reviews to identify risks.
• Direct the engineering BOM strategy and NPI readiness while balancing cost, performance, and manufacturability.
• Manage risks using DFMEA processes to address potential failures in design, firmware, or manufacturing.
• Establish a transparent execution culture by surfacing technical blockers early.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in Engineering, preferably Electrical with a focus on power electronics.
• 5+ years of experience leading complex, multidisciplinary engineering programs involving hardware and firmware.
• Ability to engage deeply with firmware and software teams regarding control loops, timing, and hardware dependencies.
• Proven track record of taking programs from early concept through prototype builds and manufacturing launch.
• Understanding of DFM principles and the practicalities of scaling hardware production.
• Ability to communicate technical risks and priorities to both engineering staff and leadership.
• Experience working in high-growth startup environments with minimal formal process.

Nice to have

• Technical background in converter architectures, control strategies, and system-level tradeoffs.
• Hands-on experience debugging or validating inverters, rectifiers, or high-power conversion hardware.
• Proficiency with PLECS or MATLAB/Simulink for power electronics modeling.
• Experience with embedded firmware development for control systems.
• Familiarity with BOM management, PLM systems, and NPI workflows.
• Knowledge of UL or IEC compliance standards for power equipment.
• Experience with Enovia PLM, CATIA, Jira, or Confluence.

Skills & tools

• Power electronics systems
• Embedded firmware and control systems
• Hardware-software integration
• NPI and BOM management
• DFMEA and risk mitigation
• Technical program management

Practical notes

This is an on-site position based in Scotts Valley. The role includes a competitive compensation package consisting of salary and equity.