Ops Build Manager

About Etched

Etched is building AI chips that are hard-coded for individual model architectures. Our first product (Sohu) only supports transformers, but has an order of magnitude more throughput and lower latency than a B200. With Etched ASICs, you can build products that would be impossible with GPUs, like real-time video generation models and extremely deep & parallel chain-of-thought reasoning agents.

Job Summary

We’re looking for an Ops Build Manager to serve as the communication liaison between engineering and operations, with a focus on executing engineering builds both locally and in Taiwan. You’ll oversee build readiness, manage material shortages, and coordinate with engineering to ensure BOM accuracy and timely delivery. This is a highly cross-functional role at the intersection of engineering, planning, and manufacturing.

You’ll collaborate closely with Etched’s hardware engineers, technical program managers, and ODM partners to ensure builds are executed efficiently, with aligned expectations on demand, timelines, and output.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the primary liaison between engineering and operations for build execution (local and Taiwan-based)

• Oversee build readiness, including material shortages, factory preparedness, and scheduling

• Manage BOM accuracy and coordinate closely with engineering on changes and updates

• Handle ERP and planning functions as required to support build execution

• Translate build plans from TPMs into operational execution, ensuring demand and quantity alignment

• Drive scheduling with local teams and ODM partners, including securing PCB SMT line time allocations

• Align delivery expectations, timeline commitments, and output visibility across teams

You may be a good fit if you have

• 5+ years experience in hardware operations, manufacturing program management, or similar build-focused roles

• Strong cross-functional communication skills with engineering and supply chain teams

• Familiarity with BOM structures, ERP systems, and material planning workflows

• Experience managing builds with ODM partners, including PCB assembly and SMT processes

• Ability to manage multiple builds simultaneously while driving clarity on priorities and timelines

Strong candidates may also have experience with

• Hands-on involvement in NPI-to-MP transitions

• Exposure to datacenter hardware, PCB development, or high-complexity system integration

• Background in electrical or mechanical engineering

• Experience troubleshooting material shortages, allocation conflicts, or factory readiness

Benefits

• Full medical, dental, and vision packages, with generous premium coverage

• Housing subsidy of $2,000/month for those living within walking distance of the office

• Daily lunch and dinner in our office

• Relocation support for those moving to San Jose (Santana Row)

How we’re different

Etched believes in the Bitter Lesson. We think most of the progress in the AI field has come from using more FLOPs to train and run models, and the best way to get more FLOPs is to build model-specific hardware. Larger and larger training runs encourage companies to consolidate around fewer model architectures, which creates a market for single-model ASICs.

We are a fully in-person team in San Jose (Santana Row), and greatly value engineering skills. We do not have boundaries between engineering and research, and we expect all of our technical staff to contribute to both as needed.