Senior/Staff Technical Program Manager - Compute Hardware
Job Summary
Job Description
Zoox's Advanced Hardware Engineering team is responsible for delivering autonomous hardware, infotainment electronic control units, and electrical components for their self-driving vehicle fleet. The Primary Compute Unit (PCU) is central to the hardware architecture, running the AI stack for autonomous driving. This role involves owning the PCU program end-to-end, including the integrated program schedule. The Technical Program Manager will collaborate with various teams such as vehicle engineering, systems engineering, software, safety, supply chain, quality, and manufacturing to achieve strategic objectives and tactical milestones. Key responsibilities include developing project schedules with dependencies, mapping program milestones, mitigating risks, estimating budgets, solving complex problems, navigating ambiguity, ensuring team accountability, and communicating expectations and progress. The role requires the ability to adapt to a fast-paced startup environment, wear multiple hats, and tackle challenging problems across cross-functional teams. Experience in developing structured ways of working and influencing without formal authority is highly valued.
Must have:
- Drive PCU program with leadership
- Support architecture alignment
- Develop detailed product roadmaps
- Create program assets and communication channels
- Plan and track engineering development work
- Manage technical supplier activities
- Coordinate issue root-cause analysis
- Communicate program status to stakeholders
- Facilitate discussions and decision-making
- BS/MS in engineering or equivalent experience
- 10+ years of work experience
- 5+ years in program management
- Experience with hardware development
- Experience with HW/SW integration
- Experience with contract manufacturers
- Proficiency in project management tools (JIRA, Smartsheets)
- Strong track record in complex projects
- Ability to deal with rapid design cycles
- Self-motivated problem-solver
Good to have:
- Automotive industry experience
- Experience developing compute systems
- Building strong working relationships
Perks:
- Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights
- Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
- Sign-on bonus may be offered
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Paid time off (sick leave, vacation, bereavement)
- Unpaid time off
- Health insurance
- Long-term care insurance
- Long-term and short-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
4 skills required
Job Details
Zoox’s Advanced Hardware Engineering team is in charge of delivering all the autonomous hardware, infotainment electronic control units and electrical components that go into Zoox’s future fleet of self-driving vehicles. At the heart of our hardware architecture is the Primary Compute Unit (PCU) - the compute system that runs the AI stack that enables the vehicle to drive autonomously. We are looking for a seasoned technical program manager own the PCU program end-to-end, including the integrated program schedule.
In this role, you will work cross-functionally with our vehicle engineering, systems engineering, software, safety, supply chain, quality, manufacturing and integration teams to achieve our strategic objectives and tactical milestones. You will develop project schedules with numerous dependencies, map program milestones to company milestones, flag and mitigate risks, estimate and maintain budgets, identify solutions to complex problems, navigate ambiguity, all the while holding teams accountable and clearly communicating expectations and ongoing progress.
As with any startup, we move fast here at Zoox, and many candidates will be asked from time to time to wear many hats. We would love to hear from you if you are up for solving very challenging problems across numerous cross-functional teams, delivering milestones with numerous dependencies, and scaling your impact by developing and adopting structured ways of working. Additionally, if you are an expert at herding cats and influencing without formal authority, then this role was made for you!
In this role, you will:
- Drive the PCU program forward with thought and energetic leadership, including supporting architecture alignment, hardware development, validation, integration, cross-functional alignment and company-wide communication.
- This will be done in close partnership with the technical lead and other core team members across multiple departments.
- Work with department leaders to translate the top-down corporate strategy and milestones into detailed product roadmaps, timelines, and deliverables
- Create and maintain program assets and communication channels that ensure every team member understands what they need to deliver at all times, and is held accountable for delivering them.
- Help especially internal engineering development and test teams plan their work, and use a task management system (e.g. JIRA) to clearly structure, communicate and track the work that needs to be done.
- Work with cross-functional leaders and Finance teams to define and track resource requirements and spend against budget
- Manage technical supplier activities such as build planning and execution, and ensure robust end of line tests are put in place prior to delivery. Work closely with procurement and supplier quality teams to ensure an excellent partnership with suppliers.
- Work with our in-house manufacturing experts to ensure all is in place to perform final PCU assembly, and be accountable for ensuring needed parts are delivered on time, and to specifications.
- Coordinate issue root-cause analysis, issue resolution and overall response for issues that occur on the fleet; ensure the right level of cross-functional communication (including JIRA ticket hygiene), prioritization and momentum is placed on the topics.
- Work with all relevant departments as needed to ensure the successful delivery of our goals, including the Program Management Office, SW/FW teams, safety teams and vehicle manufacturing teams
- Provide concise and effective communications to key stakeholders on program status, issues/risks, and accomplishments, in writing and via presentations.
- Facilitate both non-technical conversations (and technical ones as needed), align team perspectives, and support the development of options matrices to help the cross-functional program team make the right decisions
- Bring a disciplined business and meeting cadence to the program, ensuring agendas are set for critical topics to be discussed at each meeting
Qualifications
- BS or MS degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent experience
- At least 10 years of work experience, and at least 5 of those in program management
- Deep experience with hardware development and HW/SW integration
- Significant experience working with contract manufacturers (CMs) to deliver products from conception to production
- Proficiency in and experience using tools required to manage complex projects (i.e. JIRA, smartsheets).
- Strong track record in managing complex, cross-functional projects
- Understands and deals with well with rapid design cycles; remains flexible and calm in the face of uncertainty
- Self-motivated and proactive problem-solver
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience working in the automotive industry, or prior experience developing compute systems
- Strong references that highlight your ability to build strong working relationships with senior leaders and engineers across functions and departments
$172,000 - $273,000 a year
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.
About Zoox
Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.
Accommodations
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter.
A Final Note:
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.
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About The Company
Zoox is transforming mobility-as-a-service by developing a fully autonomous, purpose-built fleet designed for AI to drive and humans to enjoy.
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