Senior/Staff Technical Program Manager - Autonomy Behaviors

Zoox
Foster City, CA
Hybrid

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for technical program managers with deep AI/ML and autonomous vehicle domain expertise who can drive cross-organizational alignment and scale processes.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 10-12 years of experience managing cross-functional AI/ML programs across multiple teams
    — “10-12+ years of experience in engineering program management, including experience owning programs spanning multiple orgs or director-level+ stakeholders
  • Individuals with a track record of translating high-level strategy into detailed execution plans
    — “Translate ambiguous, top-down corporate strategy into structured roadmaps
  • Professionals who can bridge technical depth with strategic communication for leadership
    — “Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to flex between technical depth with engineers and strategic framing with executives

Things to consider

  • Compensation is tied to geographic location and interview performance, not just experience
    — “Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level
  • The role involves direct communication with senior leadership and high-level risk mitigation
    — “Present program status, trade-offs, and recommendations directly to senior leadership, building credibility and alignment at the executive level

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with AI/ML and autonomous systems in your resume and interview narrative
    — “Deep experience with AI/ML, autonomous vehicles, computer vision, reinforcement learning, simulation, and/or automotive or aerospace processes
  • Showcase examples of resolving cross-organizational risks and aligning leadership
    — “Demonstrated track record of resolving high-ambiguity, cross-organizational risks and driving alignment across senior leadership
  • Emphasize your ability to define and track program-level metrics with data-driven insights
    — “Define and track program-level metrics, using data to proactively surface systemic risks and drive process improvements across the org
  • Demonstrate your ability to build and scale program management processes and tooling
    — “Experience building or scaling program management processes, strategy, and tooling for a broader team or function
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · CompanyLevel · Senior

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

What success looks like

  • driving complex AI/ML programs
  • translating corporate strategy into roadmaps
  • managing program schedules
Typical background
10+ years in engineering program management

Skills & requirements

Required

Technical Program ManagementAi/mlCross-functional CollaborationStrategic Planning

Preferred

Autonomous VehiclesReinforcement Learning

Stack & domain

Ai/mlAutonomous VehiclesComputer VisionReinforcement LearningSimulationProgram ManagementEngineering Program ManagementAI Tools/agents IntegrationJIRA Or Similar ToolsCross-functional CollaborationAmbiguity ResolutionAlignment With ExecutivesCommunicationTechnical DepthStrategic FramingRobotics

About the role

Original posting from Zoox via Lever

Zoox has embarked on a highly ambitious journey to develop a full-stack autonomous mobility solution for our cities. As a technical program manager, you will work cross-functionally with engineering leaders across software, hardware, vehicle engineering, product and beyond to drive our corporate strategy into tactical and detailed road maps that facilitate effective execution at each stage of our growth curve. You will work with each engineering team to develop program schedules, identify milestones, flag risks, estimate budgets, and clearly communicate ongoing progress.

In this role, you will::

  • Own and drive Zoox's most complex, cross-organizational AI/ML programs, spanning multiple engineering teams and director-level+ stakeholders, from strategy through delivery
  • Translate ambiguous, top-down corporate strategy into structured roadmaps, resolving conflicting priorities across teams before they become executive-level escalations
  • Define and track program-level metrics, using data to proactively surface systemic risks and drive process improvements across the org
  • Present program status, trade-offs, and recommendations directly to senior leadership, building credibility and alignment at the executive level
  • Build and scale program management practices, tooling, and processes for the broader TPM function, and mentor other TPMs

Qualifications:

  • BS/MS in computer science, engineering, technical field, or equivalent job experience

10-12+ years of experience in engineering program management, including experience owning programs spanning multiple orgs or director-level+ stakeholders

  • Deep experience with AI/ML, autonomous vehicles, computer vision, reinforcement learning, simulation, and/or automotive or aerospace processes
  • Demonstrated track record of resolving high-ambiguity, cross-organizational risks and driving alignment across senior leadership
  • Experience building or scaling program management processes, strategy, and tooling for a broader team or function
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to flex between technical depth with engineers and strategic framing with executives

Bonus Qualifications:

  • Experience in the AV industry or robotics
  • Experience integrating AI tools/agents into program management workflows
  • Experience using JIRA or other similar tools

Base Salary Range

There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.

Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.

Source: Zoox careers (Lever)

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