Director of TPM, Connected Devices

Motive is seeking an exceptional leader to build and guide its Technical Program Managers for Connected Devices Engineering initiatives. This strategic role involves defining execution across the engineering organization, leading a team of TPMs specializing in embedded software, hardware, and regulatory compliance. The Director will drive flawless execution of mission-critical programs, shape strategic direction, champion operational excellence, and serve as an escalation point for technical and organizational challenges, ensuring timely delivery and continuous improvement.

Must Have

• 10+ years of hands-on experience managing complex technical programs in Embedded Software or IoT domains, with demonstrated success shipping multiple products from concept through mass production.
• 5+ years of progressive people management experience, including managing managers.
• Deep hardware product development expertise, including prototyping, DVT/PVT phases, certification, manufacturing ramp, and post-launch support.
• Strong technical fluency in IoT ecosystems, embedded systems architecture, firmware development, wireless connectivity protocols, and hardware-software integration.
• Demonstrated resilience and adaptability in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

Perks & Benefits

• Health, pharmacy, optical and dental care benefits
• Paid time off
• Sick time off
• Short term and long term disability coverage
• Life insurance
• 401k contribution

Who we are:

Motive empowers the people who run physical operations with tools to make their work safer, more productive, and more profitable. For the first time ever, safety, operations and finance teams can manage their drivers, vehicles, equipment, and fleet related spend in a single system. Combined with industry leading AI, the Motive platform gives you complete visibility and control, and significantly reduces manual workloads by automating and simplifying tasks.

Motive serves nearly 100,000 customers – from Fortune 500 enterprises to small businesses – across a wide range of industries, including transportation and logistics, construction, energy, field service, manufacturing, agriculture, food and beverage, retail, and the public sector.

Visit gomotive.com to learn more.

About the Role:

We are seeking an exceptional leader to build and guide our Technical Program Managers. This is a strategic, high-impact role that will be instrumental in defining how we execute across our engineering organization as we develop cutting-edge custom hardware and software solutions. You will lead a team of Technical Program Managers—including specialists in embedded software, hardware engineering, and regulatory compliance—who orchestrate the daily execution of our Connected Devices Engineering initiatives.

This role demands exceptional cross-functional leadership, as you'll serve as a critical bridge between engineering, product, operations, and business stakeholders. You'll have executive-level visibility and will be accountable for ensuring our most strategic programs deliver on time while continuously improving our operational efficiency. Beyond keeping programs on track, you'll be responsible for cultivating a culture of transparent communication, proactive problem-solving, and seamless collaboration across embedded software, hardware, firmware, manufacturing, and all supporting functions throughout Motive.

What You’ll Do:

• Build and scale a high-performing TPM organization by recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent across both individual contributor TPMs and TPM managers, establishing clear career paths and growth frameworks
• Drive flawless execution of mission-critical programs by maintaining schedule integrity, proactively identifying and eliminating blockers, clarifying requirements, and ensuring alignment across all stakeholders
• Shape strategic direction by influencing product roadmaps, driving data-informed feature prioritization decisions, and owning end-to-end schedule commitments with full accountability for delivery
• Champion operational excellence by designing, implementing, and continuously refining scalable processes, frameworks, and rituals that enhance cross-functional collaboration, visibility, and decision-making velocity
• Serve as an escalation point for high-stakes technical and organizational challenges, demonstrating sound judgment in navigating trade-offs and making decisions under uncertainty

What We’re Looking For:

• 10+ years of hands-on experience managing complex technical programs in Embedded Software or IoT domains, with demonstrated success shipping multiple products from concept through mass production
• 5+ years of progressive people management experience, including managing managers, with a proven track record of building cohesive teams, developing talent, and driving organizational culture change
• Deep hardware product development expertise, with direct experience leading teams that delivered custom hardware devices through the full lifecycle—including prototyping, DVT/PVT phases, certification, manufacturing ramp, and post-launch support
• Strong technical fluency in IoT ecosystems, embedded systems architecture, firmware development, wireless connectivity protocols, and hardware-software integration challenges—sufficient to earn credibility with engineering teams and make informed trade-off decisions
• Demonstrated resilience and adaptability in fast-paced, ambiguous environments where priorities shift and resourcefulness is essential

This role will require 2 days a week in our San Francisco, CA office.

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