1. What is a Project Manager at Celestial AI?

At Celestial AI, the role of a Project Manager—specifically designated as a Technical Program Manager (TPM)—is central to our mission of revolutionizing data center infrastructure. We are moving beyond traditional System-on-Chip (SoC) limitations to create "systems of chips" through our proprietary Photonic Fabric™ technology. This role is not merely administrative; it is the strategic engine that drives complex hardware programs from IP conception to full platform delivery.

You will sit at the intersection of advanced innovation and rigorous execution. As we scale our optical interconnect technology to deliver tenfold performance increases for AI accelerators and GPUs, your job is to align cross-functional engineering teams, operations, and tier-1 customer partnerships. You are responsible for ensuring that our groundbreaking hardware solutions—ranging from optical interface chiplets to multi-chip interconnect bridges—are delivered on time, within scope, and with the quality required by hyperscalers.

This position offers a unique opportunity to define how large-scale hardware programs are run in a high-growth startup environment. You will not only manage schedules but also help build the "playbook" for how Celestial AI operates. You will interface directly with silicon, hardware, and software teams, ensuring that our optical interconnects seamlessly integrate into the next generation of high-performance computing architectures.

2. Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for Celestial AI requires a shift in mindset. You are not just being evaluated on your ability to track tasks; you are being evaluated on your ability to bring structure to complex, ambiguous hardware development cycles. Expect a deep focus on your operational toolkit and your understanding of the semiconductor lifecycle.

Role-Related Knowledge (Semiconductor Lifecycle) – You must demonstrate a deep understanding of the end-to-end hardware development process, from digital/analog IP design to SoC integration, packaging, and platform validation. Interviewers will expect you to speak the language of silicon engineering and understand the dependencies inherent in tape-outs and hardware bring-up.

Operational Rigor & Methodology – Celestial AI is in a phase of rapid scaling and process definition. We evaluate candidates on their mastery of program management tools, workflows, and methodologies. You will likely be asked detailed questions about how you structure programs, the specific tools you use to track dependencies, and how you implement cross-functional workflows in large organizations.

Strategic Stakeholder Management – Because this role involves direct interaction with tier-1 customers and strategic partners, we assess your ability to manage external expectations, handle escalations, and present technical updates to executive leadership. You need to show that you can be the "face" of the program to our most critical clients.

Problem Solving & Risk Mitigation – In hardware development, mistakes are costly and time-consuming. We look for candidates who proactively identify risks before they become issues. You should be ready to discuss how you have managed supply chain constraints, technical blockers, or design changes in previous roles.

3. Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Celestial AI is rigorous and practical. Unlike standard behavioral interviews, our sessions often feel like "working meetings." Because we are an early-stage company rapidly building our internal infrastructure, interviewers are keenly interested in your past experiences with established workflows at major tech or semiconductor companies.

You should expect an initial screening followed by a series of deep-dive interviews with key stakeholders, including engineering leads and product executives. The conversation will likely pivot quickly from high-level summaries to granular details about your day-to-day execution. Candidates often report that interviewers dig deep into the "how" and "what"—asking about specific software tools, dashboard structures, and communication protocols you have implemented.

The goal is to assess not just if you have managed projects, but if you possess the blueprint for operational excellence that Celestial AI needs to adopt. Be prepared for a dynamic exchange where you are expected to act as a subject matter expert on program management methodology.

The timeline above illustrates the typical flow from application to final decision. Use the time between the technical screens and the onsite/final rounds to review your portfolio of past projects. Be ready to whiteboard workflows or verbally walk through a complex program schedule step-by-step.

4. Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To succeed, you must be prepared to discuss the following core areas in depth. We focus heavily on your ability to execute in a hardware-centric environment.

Program Lifecycle Management (The "Playbook")

This is a critical evaluation area. Interviewers want to understand the mechanics of how you run a program. They are looking for evidence that you can implement rigorous processes in a startup environment.

Be ready to go over:

• Tooling and Infrastructure – The specific software (Jira, MS Project, Smartsheet, custom dashboards) you use and how you configure them for hardware tracking.
• Process Definition – How you set up a program from scratch, including defining milestones, gates, and entry/exit criteria.
• Reporting Cadence – How you structure status reports for engineering teams vs. executive leadership.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk us through the exact dashboard you used to track SoC validation progress in your last role."
• "How do you structure your cross-functional syncs? Who attends, and what is the standing agenda?"
• "If we asked you to build a program tracking system from scratch tomorrow, what tools would you select and why?"

Technical Acumen (Semiconductor & Hardware)

You do not need to be a chip designer, but you must understand the flow of silicon development.

Be ready to go over:

• Integration Dependencies – Managing the interplay between IP design, silicon fabrication, packaging (2.5D/3D), and software stack integration.
• Validation Cycles – Understanding post-silicon validation, EVT/DVT/PVT stages, and hardware debugging timelines.
• Supply Chain & Operations – Coordinating with external vendors for assembly and testing.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you managed a tape-out that was at risk of delay. What levers did you pull to recover the schedule?"
• "How do you manage dependencies between the hardware team and the software/firmware teams?"
• "What is your approach to managing risk in a complex 2.5D packaging project?"

Customer & Stakeholder Interface

As a TPM, you are often the bridge between internal engineering and external customers.

Be ready to go over:

• Tier-1 Engagement – Managing expectations for large hyperscalers or strategic partners.
• Escalation Management – How you handle bad news (delays, bugs) and communicate it to customers without damaging the relationship.
• Alignment – Ensuring internal engineering goals match external customer deliverables.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "A key customer requests a feature change late in the design cycle. How do you handle this internally and externally?"
• "Tell me about a time you had to deliver a difficult status update to a VP or C-level executive."

5. Key Responsibilities

As a Project Manager at Celestial AI, you will be the operational backbone of our engineering efforts. Your primary responsibility is to drive end-to-end program execution for our Photonic Fabric™ products. This means you will take ownership of programs from the initial IP conception phase all the way through to SoC integration and platform delivery.

You will be expected to define and manage integrated program plans. This involves creating detailed schedules that account for the long lead times and high interdependencies typical of semiconductor projects. You will constantly monitor resources, deliverables, and critical path items, ensuring that the silicon, hardware, and software teams are moving in lockstep.

A significant portion of your week will be spent collaborating with cross-functional teams. You will facilitate communication between digital/analog IP designers, system architects, and packaging suppliers. Additionally, you will interface directly with strategic customers, acting as the primary point of contact for program updates and milestone tracking. You will also be responsible for developing dashboards and reporting tools that provide transparency to the executive team, allowing leadership to make data-driven decisions.

6. Role Requirements & Qualifications

We are looking for seasoned professionals who can hit the ground running. The requirements for this role are specific to the semiconductor and high-performance computing domains.

• Must-Have Technical Experience:

  • 10+ years of Technical Program Management experience specifically within the semiconductor industry.
  • A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Proven experience managing programs involving IP design, SoC integration, and platform bring-up.
  • Deep familiarity with hardware development lifecycles (Waterfall, Hybrid Agile for Hardware).

• Must-Have Soft Skills:

  • Ability to interface with tier-one customers and manage high-stakes technical engagements.
  • Strong capability in risk assessment and "looking around corners" to prevent project stalls.
  • Excellent organizational skills to manage complex, multi-year programs.

• Nice-to-Have Qualifications:

  • PMP, PgMP, or similar project management certifications.
  • Experience with advanced packaging technologies (2.5D, interposers) or optical interconnects.

7. Common Interview Questions

The following questions are representative of what you might face. They are drawn from candidate experiences and the specific demands of this role. Note that Celestial AI interviewers often ask detailed follow-up questions to understand the depth of your involvement.

Operational & Process Questions

These questions test your ability to build and maintain rigorous workflows.

• "What specific tools have you used to track cross-functional dependencies in a hardware program?"
• "How do you adapt Agile methodologies for hardware development where lead times are long and fixed?"
• "Walk me through your process for conducting a post-mortem after a project milestone."
• "How do you ensure data integrity in your program dashboards?"

Technical Program Management Scenarios

These questions assess your domain knowledge in semiconductors.

• "Describe a critical technical risk you identified in a previous SoC project. How did you mitigate it?"
• "How do you handle resource contention between two high-priority chip projects?"
• "Explain how you manage the handoff between the design team and the validation team."
• "What metrics do you track to measure the health of a silicon program?"

Behavioral & Leadership

These questions evaluate your fit within a high-growth startup culture.

• "Tell me about a time you had to influence an engineering lead to change their approach without having direct authority."
• "How do you handle a situation where a strategic partner is unhappy with our progress?"
• "Describe a time you had to define a process in a chaotic or unstructured environment."

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How technical does the interview get? While you won't be asked to design circuits, you must demonstrate "technical acumen." You need to understand the inputs and outputs of digital/analog IP design, the challenges of packaging, and system validation. If you cannot discuss the semiconductor lifecycle fluently, you will struggle.

Q: What is the culture like for this role? Celestial AI is an early-stage startup tackling massive technical challenges. The culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and demanding. You are expected to be a "builder"—someone who doesn't just follow a process but helps create it.

Q: Why does the interview feel so focused on my current company's tools? As a growing company, Celestial AI is actively refining its own internal operations. Interviewers are looking for best practices and "playbooks" from established organizations. They want to know exactly what works in the industry so they can implement efficient systems quickly.

Q: What is the typical background of a successful candidate? Successful candidates almost exclusively come from semiconductor backgrounds (e.g., Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, Broadcom) or major hardware infrastructure companies. Pure software TPMs usually do not have the specific lifecycle experience required for this role.

9. Other General Tips

Be Specific About "The How": When answering questions, avoid generic statements like "I managed the project." Instead, say "I set up a Jira structure with these specific fields, established a bi-weekly sync with these stakeholders, and used a waterfall chart to track these specific dependencies." Detail is your ally here.

Demonstrate "Builder" Mentality: Since Celestial AI is a startup, show that you are comfortable working without a safety net. Highlight instances where you created a process from scratch rather than just inheriting one.

Know the Product: Read up on Photonic Fabric™, optical interconnects, and the shift from SoCs to "systems of chips." Understanding the business case—why optical interconnects are vital for AI scaling—will set you apart from candidates who treat this as just another hardware role.

10. Summary & Next Steps

The Project Manager (TPM) role at Celestial AI is a high-impact position for a veteran of the semiconductor industry. You will be instrumental in delivering the hardware infrastructure that powers the next generation of Generative AI. This is a role for someone who loves the complexity of silicon development and wants to build the operational scaffolding for a rapidly growing company.

To succeed, focus your preparation on your operational toolkits and your semiconductor domain knowledge. Be ready to open your playbook and show interviewers exactly how you manage risk, schedule, and quality in complex hardware programs. Approach the interview as a consultation where you are proving your expertise by demonstrating how you would solve Celestial AI's scaling challenges.

The salary range provided above reflects the target base compensation for this role in Santa Clara, CA. Note that as an early-stage startup, Celestial AI also offers a significant equity component, which is a major part of the total compensation package. Your final offer will depend heavily on the depth of your specific semiconductor experience and your performance during the interview process.

With the right preparation, you can demonstrate that you are the leader capable of orchestrating Celestial AI's ambitious technical vision. Good luck!