Program Manager

Description : Position : Program Manager NetworkingExperience : 1620+ YearsLocation : BangaloreMode : Work From OfficeAbout the Role : We are seeking a highly experienced Program Manager with strong expertise in the Networking / Datacom domain to lead complex, multi-layered networking programs. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of network technologies, datapath, DPDK, L2/L3 protocols, and large-scale telecom systems. This role requires a strategic leader who can oversee end-to-end delivery, manage cross-functional teams, drive execution excellence, and maintain strong stakeholder relationships.Key Responsibilities : 1. Program & Project Planning :- Define program scope, objectives, delivery milestones, and KPIs for large networking/telecom programs.- Build detailed project plans covering timelines, resource estimates, budget planning, risk assessment, and quality metrics.- Establish and maintain project governance structures, review mechanisms, and escalation processes.2. Cross-Functional Team Leadership :- Lead and coordinate large cross-functional teams including networking engineers, architects, QA, automation teams, DevOps, and field deployment engineers.- Manage resource allocation, workload balancing, task delegation, and productivity tracking.- Foster collaboration across engineering, product management, customer engineering, and operations teams.3. Stakeholder & Client Communication :- Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including customers, vendors, and leadership teams.- Provide regular program updates, dashboards, and executive summaries.- Manage expectations, negotiate scope changes, and maintain strong customer satisfaction levels.4. Risk, Compliance & Quality Management :- Identify risks early and create mitigation and contingency plans.- Ensure adherence to industry standards, compliance requirements, and internal quality processes.- Drive process improvements through continuous assessment, RCA, and corrective actions.5. Technical Oversight & Domain Expertise :- Provide high-level technical guidance on networking and datacom systems.Oversee design, development, implementation, and validation phases of networking solutions such as : - High-speed datapath processing- DPDK-based packet processing pipelines- Switching & routing (L2/L3)- Telecom/Datacom protocols- Network security modules- Virtualization, SDN/NFV, and cloud networking- Collaborate with architects to ensure successful integration of system components.6. Program Execution & Delivery- Own complete project lifecycle from requirements gathering to deployment and post-production support.- Drive day-to-day execution, ensuring timelines, scope, and quality deliverables are met.- Oversee field implementation, system integration, and customer acceptance testing.7. Budgeting & Reporting- Monitor project costs, budgets, and resource utilization.- Track KPIs and generate periodic status reports for leadership and clients.Required Skills & Experience : 1620+ years of total experience with at least 8+ years in program/project management in the Networking/Telecom/Datacom domain.Strong understanding of : - Datapath processing- DPDK (Data Plane Development Kit)- Datacom networking technologies- Routers, switches, firewalls, packet forwarding- L2/L3 protocols (VLAN, STP, OSPF, BGP, MPLS, etc.)- QoS, traffic engineering, network performance optimizationExperience leading large engineering programs with multiple teams and stakeholders.Proven track record delivering complex telecom or networking products and solutions.Strong knowledge of Agile methodologies, program governance frameworks, and engineering lifecycles.Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills. (ref:hirist.tech)