Senior Principal Engineering Program Manager

Astera Labs is seeking a Senior Principal Engineering Program Manager to lead end-to-end execution of advanced-node ASIC products from concept through production. This is a high-visibility role with direct accountability for delivering revenue-critical silicon on time, on spec, and at scale across our portfolio of industry-leading connectivity solutions.

In this role, you will serve as the single point of ownership for complex ASIC programs, driving cross-functional alignment across design, validation, product, test, firmware, software, and operations teams. Your technical depth and program management expertise will be essential in navigating the challenges of cutting-edge semiconductor development while ensuring engineering delivery aligns with business objectives and customer commitments.

As Astera Labs continues its hypergrowth trajectory powering the world's AI infrastructure, you will play a pivotal role in shaping execution excellence and building scalable processes that enable the company to deliver differentiated products at an accelerating pace. This is an opportunity to own programs that directly impact revenue and define how next-generation data centers connect and scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Ownership & Execution

  • Own full ASIC lifecycle execution spanning architecture, RTL, verification, physical design, tapeout, validation, customer sampling, qualification, and RTM
  • Serve as the single point of accountability for assigned ASIC programs, ensuring deliverables meet quality, schedule, and cost targets
  • Drive program planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and risk management across all program phases

• Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Lead and align cross-functional teams across design, validation, product, test, firmware, software, and operations organizations
  • Facilitate effective communication and decision-making in a matrixed environment with competing priorities
  • Build strong partnerships with engineering leads and stakeholders to drive shared ownership of program success

• Technical Problem Solving & Risk Management

  • Resolve complex pre-silicon and post-silicon issues through strong technical judgment and structured problem-solving
  • Proactively identify risks and dependencies, developing mitigation strategies to keep programs on track
  • Manage scope, schedule, and cost trade-offs with clear rationale and executive-level communication

• Stakeholder Communication & Process Excellence

  • Communicate program status, risks, and decisions clearly to executives, stakeholders, and customers
  • Champion continuous improvement in program execution processes and tools
  • Align engineering delivery with business goals, customer commitments, and revenue targets

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in ASIC product development within a semiconductor environment
• Strong understanding of ASIC development flows with hands-on experience in RTL, verification, or physical design
• 5+ years of experience as an ASIC Program Manager or Engineering Program Manager
• Experience delivering ASICs in advanced process nodes (10nm or below)
• Proven ability to lead complex programs in a matrixed, high-pressure environment
• Strong program management skills with proficiency in tools such as MS Project, Jira, and Atlassian suite

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• Experience with PCIe, CXL, Ethernet, or high-speed data communication ASICs
• Familiarity with connectivity products such as retimers, switches, or PHY devices
• Experience with Scrum, Agile methodologies, or WBS-based planning approaches
• Background working with hyperscale cloud customers or tier-1 OEMs
• Track record of delivering multiple successful tapeouts and production ramps

Salary range is $205,000 to $250,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role is eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.