Principal Program Manager (Director-Level)

Principal Program Manager (Director-Level)

Location: San Jose, CA, United States

Date Posted: Aug 19, 2026

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Description

Synaptics is leading the charge in AI at the Edge, bringing AI closer to end users and transforming how we engage with intelligent connected devices, whether at home, at work, or on the move. As the go-to partner for the world's most forward-thinking product innovators, Synaptics powers the future with its cutting-edge Synaptics Astra AI-Native embedded compute, Veros wireless connectivity, and multimodal sensing solutions. We're making the digital experience smarter, faster, more intuitive, secure, and seamless. From touch, display, and biometrics to AI-driven wireless connectivity, video, vision, audio, speech, and security processing, Synaptics is the force behind the next generation of technology enhancing how we live, work, and play.

Overview

Synaptics is looking for an Individual Contributor Principal Program Manager, equivalent to a Director-level role, to join our Video Interface and Human Presence Detection team. You will be responsible for managing programs in SW/FW and ASIC domains making sure the engineering teams stay productive and focused on creating the greatest value for the business. This position reports to the Sr. Director, Program Management.

The typical base pay range for this position is USD $185,000 - $291,500 per year. Individual pay is determined by many factors including work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This position is also eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus, equity, and other benefits. Note that compensation listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.

Responsibilities & Competencies

Job Duties

• Own end-to-end program management of engineering programs from idea to mass production including planning, scoping, design, development, and change management
• Lead, track, and monitor cross-functional projects rallying teams around short-term and mid-term deliverables while maintaining the long-term plan
• Plan and track execution of programs lasting anywhere from 6mo-2yrs (depending on project) with focus on interdisciplinary deliverables
• Support the teams in issue resolution and risk mitigation through well balanced and efficient processes leveraging tools and automation
• Champion an efficient, disciplined approach to planning, tracking, requirements gathering, change management and risk management with the use of tools and analytics
• Actively support sustainable, effective cross-functional communication at multiple levels in the organization
• Analyze technical issues and lead the team in generating creative mitigation options and solutions
• Report status of program execution with focus on schedule, risks, and issues utilizing data-based models and indicators
• Drive continuous improvement of all processes, methodologies, and systems

Competencies

• Well organized with strong attention to data and detail; proactively ensures work is accurate
• Demonstrated ability to grasp new technical concepts quickly
• Ability to ask difficult but important questions and drive discussion to find answers
• Ability to influence horizontally across multiple internal functional organizations
• Proactive, self-starter, able to work independently in a fast-paced environment with a strong sense of urgency, ownership and accountability
• A highly structured planner with a strong discipline towards pragmatic and efficient processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with expertise in agile execution and facilitating multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to synthesize and report complex matters simply for senior and executive management to grasp quickly
• Good verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work within a diverse team

Qualifications (Requirements)

• Bachelors (Master's preferred) degree in Computer Science or Electronics or related field, or equivalent
• 15+ years of experience in SW and/or IC program/project management
• Experience in rigorous life-cycle management including capturing requirements, decomposition, architecture, design, unit testing and integration testing among others
• Proven expertise in planning tools and methodologies (jira, MS Project / SCRUM, waterfall)
• Hands-on technical experience preferred
• 25% domestic and international travel is required

Belief in Diversity

Synaptics is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information.

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