Senior Technical Program Manager - Compute and Sensors

Zoox
Foster City, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward senior-level technical program managers comfortable with cross-functional hardware-software integration, working in Foster City, CA, and managing long-running projects in the autonomous vehicle domain.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with senior-level technical program management experience in hardware-software integration for autonomous systems
    — “8+ years of technical program management experience, with a track record on programs spanning embedded software and hardware”
  • Individuals who can manage cross-functional teams without direct authority and build strong relationships
    — “Strong references that highlight your ability to build strong working relationships with senior leaders and engineers across functions and departments and to advance your goals without having direct authority”
  • Candidates with a deep understanding of systems and hardware-software interfaces
    — “Deep familiarity with software, hardware, or automotive development processes”

Things to consider

  • The role requires a high level of communication to senior leadership about program status and risk
    — “comfortable presenting program status and risk to senior leadership”
  • Candidates must be able to drive decisions with engineering leadership through technical trade-off discussions
    — “Facilitate technical trade-off discussions (performance, power, cost, timeline) and drive decisions to closure with engineering leadership”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your ability to manage cross-functional projects and resolve technical dependencies
    — “Identify and drive resolution of cross-team dependencies, technical risks, and schedule conflicts before they become blockers”
  • Showcase your experience in building program management processes for fast-moving hardware-software programs
    — “Establish and evolve program management processes (planning cadences, milestone reviews, launch readiness criteria) for a fast-moving hardware-software program”
  • Demonstrate your ability to own end-to-end program plans for complex systems
    — “Own the end-to-end program plan for next-gen compute and sensor software workstreams, from architecture definition through bring-up, validation, and production readiness”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

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

What success looks like

  • successful delivery of complex programs
  • alignment of cross-functional teams
Typical background
BS or MS in computer science or engineering8+ years of technical program management experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Technical Program ManagementCross-functional Project ManagementRisk ManagementHardware-software Integration

Preferred

Autonomous Vehicle TechnologySemiconductor Industry Knowledge

Stack & domain

Technical Program ManagementEmbedded SoftwareHardwarePerceptionPlatform SoftwareArchitecture DefinitionBring-upValidationProduction ReadinessHardware EngineeringSystems IntegrationProgram Management ProcessesPlanning CadencesMilestone ReviewsLaunch Readiness CriteriaCommunicationTeamworkLeadershipProblem-solvingDecision-makingRisk ManagementProject ManagementAutonomous VehiclesHardware-software InterfacesEmbedded SystemsSensor ArchitectureCompute PlatformSocsSemiconductorsAutomotive Systems

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. We’re looking for a technical program manager to drive cross-functional programs delivering our next-generation compute platform and sensor architecture — the hardware and software backbone of our autonomous vehicle stack. You'll own program strategy, execution, and risk management across hardware, embedded software, and systems integration teams, working closely with hardware engineering, perception, and platform software groups to ship on schedule.

In this role, you will::

  • Own the end-to-end program plan for next-gen compute and sensor software workstreams, from architecture definition through bring-up, validation, and production readiness.
  • Partner with hardware, firmware, perception, and systems engineering leads to align on requirements, interfaces, and milestones across the compute/sensor stack.
  • Identify and drive resolution of cross-team dependencies, technical risks, and schedule conflicts before they become blockers.
  • Build and maintain program schedules, tracking mechanisms, and executive-level status reporting.
  • Facilitate technical trade-off discussions (performance, power, cost, timeline) and drive decisions to closure with engineering leadership.
  • Establish and evolve program management processes (planning cadences, milestone reviews, launch readiness criteria) for a fast-moving hardware-software program.

Qualifications:

  • BS or MS degree in computer science, engineering or equivalent job experience
  • 8+ years of technical program management experience, with a track record on programs spanning embedded software and hardware (compute platforms, SoCs, sensors, or similar)
  • Strong track record of managing complex, long-running, cross-functional projects
  • Deep familiarity with software, hardware, or automotive development processes
  • An ability to keep the big picture in focus and to provide clear, well-structured, and concise communications tailored to each appropriate audience
  • Strong Technical and Analytical Skills: Ability to contribute to architecture/methodology docs, understand systems/hardware-software interfaces, excellent written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting program status and risk to senior leadership
  • Strong references that highlight your ability to build strong working relationships with senior leaders and engineers across functions and departments and to advance your goals without having direct authority

Bonus Qualifications:

  • Background in autonomous vehicles, robotics, semiconductors, or automotive systems is a strong plus.

Compensation:

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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