Senior Program Manager

Shape the future of AR technology.

At Swave, we're building disruptive AR display technology based on our HXR platform — and we need a Senior Program Manager to help turn vision into reality.

In this role, you'll be the connective tissue between technical project teams and the executive leadership — ensuring projects are well planned, resourced, and executed across semiconductors, optics, software, and systems. You'll create clarity, maintain momentum, and make complex programs digestible for both technical experts and executives.

Your impact as Senior Program Manager

As Senior Program Manager at Swave, you will orchestrate technology, people, and processes. You'll provide visibility, surface risks early, and keep execution on track.

You will:

- Partner with project leads to build and maintain credible charters, milestone plans, and resource maps.

- Manage dependencies across silicon, optics, software, demos, and external partners (foundries, optics vendors, OEMs).

- Provide executives with transparent reporting on progress, risks, and support needs — and escalate when needed.

- Maintain one integrated, living program view that aligns with Swave's business goals.

- Act as a bridge between teams, executives, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and delivery.

- Introduce lightweight, fit-for-purpose program management practices that add structure without unnecessary overhead.

In short: you are the integrator, trusted partner, and calm driver who will elevate Swave's projects to the next level.

About Swave — Innovating AR from the ground up

We are a fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, with a growing presence in the US. Backed by seasoned leaders and a team of passionate engineers, we're pioneering holographic display technology at the intersection of optics, semiconductors, and systems design.

At Swave, you'll find:

A culture built on authenticity, trust, and openness

A small but ambitious team with a bias for action

An environment where creativity and purpose drive everything we do

Space to take ownership, experiment, and see your ideas come to life

What you bring

We're looking for someone with both technical depth and organizational leadership.

You recognize yourself in this profile:

- 8–12+ years of experience in program or project management within high-tech hardware environments

- Technical expertise in one or more domains: semiconductors, chip design, photonics/optics/holography, AR/VR/consumer electronics, or processor architectures

- Experience integrating waterfall-heavy projects (e.g. IC design) with more iterative streams (software, tools, demos, customer-facing deliverables)

- A proven track record of leading cross-functional, multi-stakeholder programs to successful delivery

- Strong communication skills: able to simplify complex plans for executives, teams, and customers

- Experience with modern project/program management tools such as Smartsheet, Jira, Wrike.

World-Class Characteristics

Integrator – aligns different methodologies into one coherent program view

Trusted partner & cross-functional leader – works with project leads and executives, not above them; listens deeply, challenges constructively, and builds alignment across domains

Pragmatic – adapts rigor to the context; avoids process for process's sake

Credible – technically strong enough to challenge, humble enough to learn

Calm driver – maintains clarity in complex, high-pressure environments

What we offer

We believe the best work happens when people feel valued and inspired. That's why we offer a competitive compensation package tailored to your skills, expertise, and impact.

At Swave, you'll work at the cutting edge of optics and semiconductors, where every customer engagement drives adoption of technology that changes the world. We know life doesn't fit neatly into a 9-to-5 schedule, so we put results before hours — with flexibility and remote options where it makes sense.

Most importantly, you'll join an informal and supportive team where authenticity matters.

Here, you can bring your true self to work, share your ideas openly, and celebrate successes together.

Location: This role is based in Leuven - Belgium

Ready to shape the future?

Join us in building holographic technology that will change how the world sees, works, and connects.

Apply now and become part of a pioneering journey at Swave Photonics.