Program Manager - Technology

Role Overview

The Program Manager – Technology will be responsible for driving the technical execution, integration, and roadmap alignment of advanced quantum communication, cryptography, networking, and allied deep-tech programs at IITM CDOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation.

This role bridges research, engineering, startups, and national mission objectives, ensuring that cutting-edge R&D transitions into deployable systems, demonstrators, pilots, and scalable platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Program Leadership

• Own technical planning and execution across multiple quantum and deep-tech programs.
  
• Translate mission objectives and research goals into concrete technical roadmaps, milestones, and deliverables.
  
• Ensure coherence across architecture, protocols, hardware, software, and systems integration.
  

Research-to-Deployment Transition

• Drive movement from lab research to prototypes, pilots, field trials, and production-ready systems.
  
• Support technology readiness level (TRL) advancement across programs.
  
• Identify technical risks early and propose mitigation strategies.
  

Startup & Industry Integration

• Work closely with deep-tech startups supported by the Foundation on product architecture, validation, and integration.
  
• Coordinate joint development efforts between academia, startups, and industry partners.
  
• Support technical due diligence and evaluation of startup proposals.
  

Technical Governance & Reviews

• Support Technical Review Committees, architecture reviews, and design audits.
  
• Ensure documentation of system designs, specifications, test results, and compliance requirements.
  
• Maintain alignment with national and international standards where applicable.
  

Infrastructure & Testbed Management

• Coordinate usage and evolution of shared labs, testbeds, networks, and pilot infrastructures.
  
• Work with operations teams on procurement and deployment of technical infrastructure.
  

Technology Strategy & Foresight

• Track global trends in quantum communications, cryptography, networking, and adjacent domains.
  
• Provide inputs into long-term technology strategy, platform thinking, and national capability building.
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related deep-tech domains.
  
• 8–12 years of experience in advanced R&D, systems engineering, or technology program management.
  
• Strong understanding of one or more areas: quantum communications, cryptography, networking, hardware-software co-design, or large-scale systems.
  

Desired Skills & Attributes

• Ability to engage deeply with researchers while maintaining system-level perspective.
  
• Strong technical documentation and review skills.
  
• Comfort operating at the intersection of research, engineering, and policy-driven missions.
  
• High intellectual curiosity, rigor, and execution focus.
  

Reporting & Interface

• Reports to: CEO, IITM CDOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation
  
• Works closely with: Faculty PIs, C-DOT technical teams, startup CTOs, system integrators, and government technical committees.
  

These roles are mission-critical positions supporting India’s national deep-tech and quantum technology ecosystem through IITM CDOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation.