Technical Program Manager / Technical Lead
Technical Program Manager / Technical Lead Version 2.8 · November 6, 2026 · Gregor Berkowitz Advisors (GBA) · San Francisco, CA · Full-time About GBAGBA is a product innovation consultancy delivering hard tech product innovation. We help venture-backed startups and established consumer, medical and industrial brands solve complex product strategy, technical development and supply chain challenges. Our teams lead the development of complex, integrated digital-physical products — from product strategy and planning through engineering, NPI and volume production. GBA brings over thirty years of experience working with ODM, JDM and contract manufacturing partners across Asia, alongside on-shore development and supply chain in the US and Mexico.
The role:
The Technical Program Manager / Technical Lead owns client hardware and software programs end to end — from initial product planning and architecture through design, validation, NPI, and stable volume production with partners in Asia and the US.You will be the technical and program lead clients rely on: setting the plan, making engineering trade-offs with client input, directing internal and partner engineering teams, and holding schedule, cost, and quality to commitment. You will typically run one or more concurrent programs and report to GBA's Managing Partner.
Responsibilities:
- Client engagement
- Contribute to proposals, scoping and estimates for new GBA engagements.
- Serve as the primary program and technical point of contact for clients and engineering teams.
- Present program status, trade-offs, and recommendations; turn ambiguity into decisions.
- Product planning and definition
- Translate client business goals into product requirements, system architecture, and a phased development plan with budget, schedule, and staffing.
- Lead feasibility studies, technology and component selection, BOM cost targets, and make-vs-buy decisions.
- Build and maintain program plans, milestone gates, and risk registers.
- Technical leadership
- Align program and technical milestones with product and program-level gates.
- Own the system-level technical direction across electrical, firmware, mechanical, software and supply chain.
- Lead teams to define test and validation strategy, including reliability, environmental and regulatory certification.
- Partner management
- Select, onboard, and manage ODM, JDM, EMS, and component suppliers in Asia and the US/Mexico. Manage cost, schedule, and scope; negotiate quotes, tooling, and production terms with partners.
- Lead builds on-site at the factory: line bring-up, yield ramp, test fixtures, quality plans, and first-article inspection.
Required qualifications:
BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Computer Science, with cross-disciplinary experience.10+ years of experience in hardware-software product development, technical program management, or a combination of both. Led multiple hardware programs through the full product development cycle—from concept and planning through mass production and sustaining. Hands-on experience bringing products to production with ODM/JDM/EMS partners in Asia and/or domestic US manufacturers, including on-site factory builds. Strong working knowledge of electronics design, mechanical design, firmware development, and software development. Command of NPI processes: EVT/DVT/PVT gates, DFM, test strategy, yield and quality management, and certification. Proven ability to manage budget, schedule, and BOM cost, and to lead cross-functional and cross-cultural teams. Excellent written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting to client executives. Willing to travel internationally, primarily to Asia (approximately 10–20%).Location, Compensation Location: San Francisco, CA — hybrid, with time at client sites and partner factories.
Travel: Approximately 10–20%, primarily to Asia.
Compensation:
$180,000–$240,000 base salary, depending on experience, plus annual performance bonus and benefits. GBA is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic.