Project Manager

smartdept. is searching for a Project Manager for a medical device/robotics client located in Sunnyvale, CA. The ideal candidate will come with 4+ years of experience. This is a full-time, hybrid (minimum 3 days per week onsite), 12-month contract opportunity with the possibility of an extension. Compensation for this position is expected to be 75-78/hour depending on experience level and fit.

This role provides cross-functional project management on behalf of the company's Global Services organization, supporting new product development and key strategic initiatives. The Project Manager acts as the main liaison between Engineering and the Field Service, Technical Support, Customer Success, and Service Operations teams, driving service readiness for new products from development through launch.

What You'll Do:

Provide functional, strategic, and tactical leadership to project teams responsible for new product introductions and ongoing product sustainment, ensuring proper planning, communication, risk mitigation, and readiness ahead of launch dates
Build and maintain project schedules and budgets, and communicate status and risks to stakeholders across the business
Partner with Engineering during product development to bring service requirements into the design process, shaping how the product is installed, serviced, and maintained in the field
Maintain a portfolio of active projects, lead design review meetings with service leadership, and keep marketing and engineering teams aligned throughout development
Coordinate with partner teams to align on project priorities, staffing needs, and organizational readiness for upcoming business needs
Drive continuous improvement across project management and product development processes
Communicate effectively across technical and non-technical audiences, tailoring updates for engineers, suppliers, and leadership
Proactively flag risks and give early warning on deadlines while managing multiple competing priorities
Lead root cause analysis on complex, cross-functional issues and confirm proposed solutions actually work

What You'll Need:

Proven experience bringing products to market as a project manager on behalf of Field Service or Service Operations
Minimum 4+ years managing complex capital equipment projects (medical device or robotics experience strongly preferred), spanning mechanical, electrical, and software components
Experience working within a Field Service or Technical Support organization
Experience influencing product development on behalf of service, with familiarity in Design for Serviceability/Maintenance (DFS/DFM) practices
Strong ability to influence others, build cross-departmental relationships, and advocate for a point of view
A strategic, innovative thinker who connects the dots others miss and turns information into insight
Sharp and fast-moving, quick to respond to shifting priorities and questions
Able to clearly summarize and communicate complex ideas to technical and non-technical audiences, including leadership

Education/Experience:
Four-year degree (Bachelor's or global equivalent) in Engineering or a scientific field required. Candidates with a degree in business, finance, or a related field will be considered in conjunction with relevant experience.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

PMP or other project management certification
Comfortable managing multiple simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment, adaptable and scrappy under tight timelines
Experience working in a regulated environment, with familiarity in medical device regulations (CFR & ISO)