Job Description: Project Manager

Guiding Excellence in Software Project Leadership

Position Overview

The Project Manager for Smart Switch Projects holds a critical leadership position, responsible for overseeing the development and deployment of firmwares for hardware platforms. This role requires a sophisticated blend of technical acumen, strategic foresight, and executive leadership to direct multidisciplinary teams in the successful delivery of intricate embedded software projects.

This position demands an individual who is both technically proficient and organizationally adept, capable of facilitating effective communication among software engineers, hardware architects, quality assurance specialists, and diverse stakeholders. The Project Manager is accountable for all phases of the project lifecycle—from requirements definition and planning, through development, testing, release, and ongoing support—while ensuring adherence to project timelines, budgets, and the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Planning & Strategy: Formulate comprehensive project plans, schedules, resource allocations and risk mitigation frameworks. Collaborate with product management, engineering leadership, and clientele to define project scope and objectives that support overarching business strategies.
• Stakeholder Management: Articulate project goals, status updates, risks, and milestones to internal teams, external partners, and clients. Conduct regular status meetings, design reviews, and coordination sessions to maintain transparency and alignment.
• Team Leadership & Development: Recruit, mentor, and lead high-performing software teams, fostering a culture of innovation, responsibility, and continuous improvement. Identify and address skills gaps, support professional development and facilitate effective knowledge sharing.
• Technical Oversight: Provide authoritative guidance on architecture, design, and validation. Partner with senior engineers to resolve integration challenges, ensure compliance with operating system standards (e.g., FreeBSD, Linux operating systems), and document technical decisions rigorously.
• Quality Assurance: Supervise the creation and execution of robust test plans, encompassing unit, integration, and system-level validation activities. Advocate for best practices in source control, code review, build automation, and defect tracking methodologies.
• Risk & Change Management: Proactively identify potential project risks and implement mitigation strategies. Administer changes to project requirements, scope, and resources through established change control processes, balancing adaptability with the rigor required in high-reliability or safety-critical contexts.
• Budgeting & Resource Management: Monitor project expenditures, optimize resource allocation, and provide detailed reports on financial performance. Develop cost projections for prospective projects and participate in contract negotiations as necessary.
• Process Improvement: Evaluate project outcomes, conduct post-project analyses, and implement process enhancements to increase operational efficiency and forecast accuracy. Promote the adoption of industry-standard methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Kanban), suitably adapted for device driver & firmware development.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all deliverables comply with relevant regulatory standards and certifications (such as ISO, IEC, FDA, automotive ASPICE, and cybersecurity frameworks) as required by the respective application domain.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline. A Master’s degree or PMP certification is considered an asset.
• Experience: A minimum of five years of project management experience within embedded systems, including at least three years dedicated to device driver development for major operating systems or hardware platforms.
• Technical Expertise: Profound knowledge of Operating System architecture, kernel programming, hardware abstraction layers, and systems integration. Proficiency with C/C++, assembly, scripting languages, and hardware interface protocols (such as PCIe, USB, I2C, SPI, UART, etc.).
• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams, coordinate multiple concurrent projects, and deliver results in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the capacity to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences and produce comprehensive project documentation.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Superior analytical abilities and organizational skills, with a record of innovative problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Tools & Methodologies: Experience with project management, collaboration, and software development lifecycle tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Git, Jenkins, Trello, MS Project), and familiarity with Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid methodologies.
• Certifications: Certifications such as PMP, Agile/Scrum Master, or equivalent, are preferred.

Core Competencies

• Technical Leadership: Ability to direct firmware architecture, troubleshooting, and performance optimization efforts.
• Strategic Vision: Capacity to align project initiatives with broader business objectives and evolving technological trends.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proactive collaboration with internal and external partners, including original equipment manufacturers, chipset vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Risk Management: Skilled in identifying, assessing, and mitigating both technical and operational risks throughout the project’s duration.
• Process Orientation: Commitment to structured processes, stringent quality standards, and continuous improvement.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to respond effectively to changing requirements, emerging technologies, and shifting customer needs.

Opportunities & Challenges

The Project Manager for L2 / L3 Switch Projects will have the opportunity to influence the trajectory of computing by working alongside advanced hardware and software technologies. This individual will play a key role in ensuring robust compatibility, optimal performance, and high reliability across varied platforms and applications.

This role presents challenges such as managing rapid technological advancements, meeting stringent time-to-market expectations, and addressing the complexities inherent in supporting multiple device types, operating system versions, and hardware integrations. The successful candidate must remain vigilant regarding regulatory changes and industry best practices, ensuring the project team is fully prepared to meet evolving requirements.

Performance Metrics

• Timely delivery of project releases and milestones
• Achievement of established quality and reliability standards
• Adherence to project budgets and optimal resource utilization
• High levels of stakeholder satisfaction and positive feedback
• Successful attainment of regulatory certifications and compliance
• Continuous enhancement of processes and team capabilities

Application Process

Applicants are invited to submit a comprehensive curriculum vitae detailing relevant project management, technical and leadership experience, their vision for technical excellence.

Conclusion

This position presents a distinctive opportunity to lead the development of foundational software essential to modern hardware innovation. The appointed Project Manager will drive growth and excellence, championing best practices and delivering solutions that empower users and industries globally. Candidates with a passion for Network & Storage systems and demonstrable leadership in complex software initiatives are encouraged to apply and contribute to the advancement of data centre infrastructure.