Technical Program Manager, drive unit and actuators

Ridealso
Palo Alto, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to experienced program managers with a technical background in electromechanical systems working in electric mobility and consumer product development.

Best fit for

  • Experienced program managers with a background in drive unit and actuator development for consumer EVs
    — “responsible for driving the drive unit and actuator modules end to end from concept/proto development phase through mass production”
  • Candidates with a strong grasp of New Product Introduction (NPI) processes and global supplier coordination
    — “Familiarity with New Product Introduction (NPI) processes, including tooling qualification, PPAP, DVT/PVT, and first-article inspections”
  • Individuals who can translate technical complexity into strategic decisions for leadership
    — “Ability to understand technical discussions and provide decision framework to make technical decisions and accelerate development”

Things to consider

  • Travel expectations include domestic and international trips, estimated at 10-15% of time
    — “Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (estimated ~10-15%)”
  • The role requires managing multi-disciplinary hardware projects with a focus on production readiness
    — “managing drive unit programs from architecture and prototyping through validation, industrialization and production ramp”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with end-to-end drive unit and actuator product development in your resume and interviews
    — “Demonstrated success in shipping drive unit and actuator products from initial concept through mass production”
  • Showcase your ability to manage complex, interdependent electromechanical systems
    — “Experience managing programs involving electromechanical systems with multiple interdependent subsystems”
  • Emphasize your track record in planning and executing comprehensive program schedules
    — “Develop and manage comprehensive program schedules via Gantt charts, technical issues, design release management, certification, manufacturing, and resource needs”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

  • Successfully managed drive unit and actuator modules from concept to mass production
Typical background
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or related engineering field7+ years of experience in program management, engineering, or similar cross-functional role

Skills & requirements

Required

Program ManagementTechnical Program ManagementProduct DevelopmentCross-functional CollaborationProject ManagementRisk ManagementNPI ProcessesElectromechanical SystemsContract ManufacturersGlobal SuppliersTechnical DiscussionsCommunication

Preferred

Ray

Stack & domain

PythonReactLeadershipCommunicationAWSCFAFinanceHealthcare

About the role

Original posting from Ridealso via Ashby

About ALSO.

We’re ALSO, an electric mobility company originally conceived as a part of Rivian. We’re a passionate team of builders, dreamers, doers and innovators, focused on creating entirely new (not to mention, innovative and delightful) vertically integrated, small EVs designed to meet the global mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. Our mission is to inspire everyone to ride ALSO—replacing many local car, truck and SUV miles with ones on vehicles that are more affordable, more enjoyable and 10-50x more efficient.

In this role, you will be a member of Also’s Technical Program Management team, responsible for driving the drive unit and actuator modules end to end from concept/proto development phase through mass production. You will partner with product, mechanical, electrical, firmware, test, supply chain, industrial design, and other cross-functional teams to drive product development in consumer-facing products.

What You Will Do

  • As a Technical Program Manager, you’ll use your product development expertise to lead multi-disciplinary hardware projects from start to finish: managing drive unit programs from architecture and prototyping through validation, industrialization and production ramp.
  • You’ll work with stakeholders to plan requirements, identify and manage risks early leading to rapid reaction plans to keep the program on track, and communicate clearly with cross-functional partners across the company.
  • Drive the planning and implementation of customer features with the cross-functional teams to hit roadmap goals, tracking progress, while communicating status, blockers, and risks to leadership.
  • Develop and manage comprehensive program schedules via Gantt charts, technical issues, design release management, certification, manufacturing, and resource needs with engineering, supply chain, and cross-functional teams.
  • Identify and solve the top program blockers and adapt lean processes to the organization.

What You Will Bring

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, or a related engineering field
  • 7+ years of experience in program management, engineering or similar cross-functional role
  • Demonstrated success in shipping drive unit and actuator products from initial concept through mass production.
  • Familiarity with New Product Introduction (NPI) processes, including tooling qualification, PPAP, DVT/PVT, and first-article inspections.
  • Experience managing programs involving electromechanical systems with multiple interdependent subsystems (motors, PCBAs, sensors, structural assemblies).
  • Experience working directly with contract manufacturers and global suppliers on industrialization and production readiness.
  • Ability to understand technical discussions (driven by curiosity to understand how the entire system works) and provide decision framework to make technical decisions and accelerate development.
  • Clear communicator - able to hold conversations with engineering and supply chain while distilling status and decisions for executive leadership.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (estimated ~10-15%)

The salary for this position ranges from $200,000 - $250,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, and location.

Perks and Benefits

  • Robust health coverage. Excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by Also. with FSA & HSA options.
  • One Medical membership and dedicated insurance advocates.
  • Rich fertility and family building benefits with Progyny.
  • Flexible time off. 
  • 401(k) match.

Why ALSO.

We’re passionate about helping the world find a better way to get there—wherever it is you’re headed.

We’re located in the heart of Silicon Valley and have brought together a world-class team from some of the biggest brands in the technology, automotive, cycling, outdoor recreation and retail spaces. 

Together we’re working hands-on to imagine, design and build an entirely new solution to a global set of transportation challenges.

Source: Ridealso careers (Ashby)

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