Hardware Engineering Operations / Manufacturing, AVP

Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. By collaborating with hyperscalers and ecosystem partners, Astera Labs enables organizations to unlock the full potential of modern AI. Astera Labs’ Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates CXL®, Ethernet, NVLink, PCIe®, and UALink™ semiconductor-based technologies with the company’s COSMOS software suite to unify diverse components into cohesive, flexible systems that deliver end-to-end scale-up, and scale-out connectivity. The company’s custom connectivity solutions business complements its standards-based portfolio, enabling customers to deploy tailored architectures to meet their unique infrastructure requirements. Discover more at www.asteralabs.com .

AVP of Hardware Engineering Operations/Manufacturing

Role Overview

Astera Labs is scaling rapidly as the connectivity backbone of rack-scale AI infrastructure, and our hardware manufacturing footprint is scaling with it. Smart Cable Modules (SCM), Active Electrical Cables (AEC), evaluation boards, AI Chassis-class systems, and ODM-built products are central to how we deliver purpose-built connectivity at hyperscale. We're hiring an AVP of Hardware Engineering Operations/Manufacturing to bring focused, senior leadership to this growing function.

This is a wide-ranging role spanning the full breadth of Astera Labs' hardware portfolio — from Smart Cable Modules to rack-scale chassis-based products. You'll own manufacturing strategy and execution across SCM, AEC, evaluation boards (SVB/EVB), AI Chassis-class systems, and ODM-built products such as switch trays and CEM cards. You'll be the primary leader partnering with our contract manufacturers across China and the rest of Asia, driving quality, capacity, cost, and time-to-market as we scale to meet AI infrastructure demand.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Strategy & CM/ODM Partnership

Lead Astera Labs' hardware engineering operations and manufacturing organization across SCM, AEC, evaluation boards, AI Chassis-class systems, and ODM programs

Own day-to-day partnership with contract manufacturers across China and the rest of Asia — driving cadence, accountability, and site ramps from qualification through full production maturity

Manage ODM engagements for switch trays, CEM cards, chassis-based systems, and adjacent products, navigating the differences from traditional CM models

Partner with Hardware Engineering, Product, Supply Chain, and Quality leaders, and represent hardware operations in executive reviews

New Product Introduction (NPI) & Advanced Manufacturing

Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews on early product designs to validate completeness and manufacturability before release to the floor

Lead production scaling — estimating costs, production times, and staffing requirements for new designs

Prepare and maintain technical documentation for new manufacturing processes and engineering procedures

Process & Sustaining Engineering

Design factory layouts and analyze workflows to achieve maximum production efficiency

Troubleshoot operational bottlenecks and investigate material use variances directly on the assembly line

Conduct ongoing time and cost analyses to identify waste reduction and lean manufacturing improvements

Test Engineering

Architect test parameters for finished products to validate they meet exact process requirements

Coordinate the design, procurement, build, and debug of automated test equipment

Test products to identify anomalies and ensure compliance with functional and safety standards

Product Engineering (Manufacturing Focus)

Lead failure analysis using statistical methods and recommend changes in designs, tolerances, or processing methods

Apply root-cause fixes to prevent reoccurrence of product problems involving existing designs or materials

Monitor and analyze operational data to evaluate product performance and drive technical design changes that improve yield

Tooling & Automation

Assess, select, and schedule installation of manufacturing machinery and industrial processing systems

Design and implement custom jigs, fixtures, and manufacturing aids for daily assembly

Apply automation techniques and robotics programming to improve workflow and reduce manual labor

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline

15+ years of hardware manufacturing experience, with significant time leading cable assembly, PCBA, board, module, or system/chassis manufacturing

Proven track record managing contract manufacturers in Asia, including site ramps and multi-site operations

Deep expertise in NPI, DFM, mass production ramp, yield/test, and quality systems for high-volume hardware products

Hands-on experience across process/sustaining engineering, test engineering, and tooling/automation

Experience leading and scaling hardware operations organizations through hyper-growth

Willingness and ability to travel internationally to CM and ODM sites on a regular cadence

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Direct experience with Active Electrical Cables (AEC), optical transceivers, Smart Cable Modules, or high-speed cable/connector assemblies

Experience manufacturing rack-scale or chassis-class systems for hyperscale or AI infrastructure

Experience with ODM engagement models for system-level products (switch trays, CEM cards, or similar)

Chinese language proficiency (Mandarin) for direct CM partnership in China

Base salary range is $280,000 to $310,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.

We know that creativity and innovation happen more often when teams include diverse ideas, backgrounds, and experiences, and we actively encourage everyone with relevant experience to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities.