Customer Program Manager

Wayve
JP
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mid-level professionals with automotive software program management experience and fluency in Japanese, working in a hybrid office setting in Japan.

Best fit for

  • Program managers with deep automotive industry knowledge and bilingual Japanese-English skills.
    — “Extensive program management experience in complex automotive software development
  • Technical collaborators who can bridge customer needs with internal development teams.
    — “Collaborate closely with teams across Product, R&D, and other departments
  • Proactive problem-solvers comfortable with international travel requirements.
    — “Willingness to travel as needed

Things to consider

  • Office-based role with hybrid policy requiring physical presence in Yokohama or Tokyo.
    — “This is a full-time, office-based role located in Yokohama or Tokyo
  • Must maintain business-level English alongside native Japanese fluency.
    — “Fluent Japanese and business-level English are required

How to stand out

  • Demonstrate specific examples of translating automotive customer requirements into technical solutions.
    — “translate customer demands into clear, actionable technical requirements
  • Highlight AI/AV knowledge beyond just automotive experience to address desirable qualifications.
    — “Knowledge of current AI advancements, including Generative AI, AV 2.0
  • Show cross-functional leadership in complex software development programs.
    — “Lead and support cross-functional teams in executing complex customer programs
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Lead customer programs from early-stage to full-scale production
  • Ensure efficient reporting to customers and internally
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams
Typical background
Extensive program management experience in automotive software development

Skills & requirements

Required

Program ManagementProject PlanningRisk ManagementChange ManagementCustomer Engagement

Preferred

Automotive Industry KnowledgeEmbodied AI Systems UnderstandingJapanese Language Proficiency

Stack & domain

Program ManagementProject PlanningRisk ManagementChange ManagementTask CoordinationCustomer SupportCommunicationTeamworkProblem-solvingAutomotiveAI

About the role

Original posting from Wayve

About us   

Founded in 2017, Wayve is the leading developer of Embodied AI technology.  Our advanced AI software and foundation models enable vehicles to perceive, understand, and navigate any complex environment, enhancing the usability and safety of automated driving systems.

Our vision is to create autonomy that propels the world forward.  Our intelligent, mapless, and hardware-agnostic AI products are designed for automakers, accelerating the transition from assisted to automated driving. 

In our fast-paced environment big problems ignite us—we embrace uncertainty, leaning into complex challenges to unlock groundbreaking solutions. We aim high and stay humble in our pursuit of excellence, constantly learning and evolving as we pave the way for a smarter, safer future.

At Wayve, your contributions matter.  We value diversity, embrace new perspectives, and foster an inclusive work environment; we back each other to deliver impact.  

Make Wayve the experience that defines your career!  

The role 

In this role, you will be responsible for leading and overseeing programs with OEM customers, spanning from early-stage advanced development initiatives to full-scale production programs. You will collaborate closely with the customer to define and manage project plans, ensuring that requirements are seamlessly integrated into the internal development pipeline and delivered on schedule. A deep understanding of the automotive industry and the development of embodied AI systems is essential to effectively guide these programs, identify and report potential risks, and implement a robust change management. You will be at the forefront of delivering meaningful impact to real-world customers.

Key responsibilities:

Lead and support cross-functional teams in executing complex customer programs, ensuring the successful achievement of program objectives.

Establish and maintain a comprehensive project management framework, including project planning, risk management, change management, and task coordination.

Engage with customers to understand and address their technical requirements and needs.

Collaborate closely with teams across Product, R&D, and other departments to translate customer demands into clear, actionable technical requirements.

Ensure efficient reporting both externally to customers and internally within the organisation.

Work closely with internal development teams to align customer requirements with internal milestone planning and execution.

Provide first-level support to customers, ensuring their needs are met promptly and effectively.

About you  

In order to set you up for success as a Customer Program Manager at Wayve, we’re looking for the following skills and experience.  

Essential 

Extensive program management experience in complex automotive software development.

Proficient in utilising program management tools (e.g., Jira) to optimise workflow efficiency and ensure seamless project execution.

Robust technical expertise with comprehensive knowledge of the automotive industry.

A proactive problem-solving mindset.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Willingness to travel as needed.

Fluent Japanese and business-level English are required for collaboration with international teams and stakeholders

Desirable 

Knowledge of current AI advancements, including Generative AI, AV 2.0, and Large Language Models (LLMs).

Hands-on experience in software development.

A Master’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science.

This is a full-time, office-based role located in Yokohama or Tokyo, depending on the candidate's place of residence. At Wayve we want the best of all worlds so we operate a hybrid working policy that combines time together in our offices and workshops to fuel innovation, culture, relationships and learning, and time spent working from home. We operate core working hours so you can determine the schedule that works best for you and your team. 

 

Wayve is committed to creating an inclusive interview experience. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to participate fully in our interview process, please let us know.

We understand that everyone has a unique set of skills and experiences and that not everyone will meet all of the requirements listed above. If you’re passionate about self-driving cars and think you have what it takes to make a positive impact on the world, we encourage you to apply.

At Wayve we're committed to creating a diverse, fair and respectful culture that is inclusive of everyone based on their unique skills and perspectives, and regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition  (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law.  

For more information visit Careers at Wayve. 

To learn more about what drives us, visit Values at Wayve 

DISCLAIMER: We will not ask about marriage or pregnancy, care responsibilities or disabilities in any of our job adverts or interviews. However, we do look to capture information about care responsibilities, and disabilities among other diversity information as part of an optional DEI Monitoring form to help us identify areas of improvement in our hiring process and ensure that the process is inclusive and non-discriminatory.

 

 

Source: Wayve careers

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