Technical Program Specialist, Foundational Research (Fixed-Term Contract)

Snapshot

Join Foundational Research as a Technical Program Manager to accelerate AI research velocity. You'll partner with research leads to shape and drive complex, ambiguous programs, influencing strategic direction with your technical insight. This role involves translating research goals into actionable plans, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, and turning promising ideas into impactful initiatives aligned with objectives. This role is a 12 months Fixed-Term Contract.

About us

Artificial Intelligence could be one of humanity’s most useful inventions. At , we’re a team of scientists, engineers, machine learning experts and more, working together to advance the state of the art in artificial intelligence. We use our technologies for widespread public benefit and scientific discovery, and collaborate with others on critical challenges, ensuring safety and ethics are the highest priority.

The role

As a (Technical) Program Manager on the Foundational Research Team, you will be instrumental in advancing AI research. You'll work closely with research leads and domain experts to define, plan, and execute strategic initiatives. This involves applying your technical acumen to help shape program direction, identify opportunities to accelerate research progress, and ensure projects align with the unit's broader research objectives and mission. You will drive complex programs, fostering collaboration and bringing clarity to ambiguous research challenges.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with AI Research Leads to co-develop program strategies, goals, priorities, and success metrics for complex and often ambiguous research initiatives
• Apply deep technical understanding and program management expertise to guide research programs, influence technical decision making, and accelerate the delivery of research breakthroughs
• Lead the planning and execution of strategic research programs, performing technical due diligence to evaluate scope, establish milestones, and determine engineering resourcing needs
• Develop and implement mechanisms to monitor program performance, anticipate and manage risks, and track interdependencies with other research programs and teams
• Proactively identify, own, and implement opportunities for continuous improvement in research processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance research velocity and engineering excellence
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between research teams and with wider /Google stakeholders, ensuring alignment with business objectives and responsible development practices
• Manage external partnerships with academic and industry organisations
• Distill complex technical information and program updates into clear and actionable insights for diverse audiences, including leadership
• Champion and contribute to a culture of excellence, impact, and creativity within the research unit

About you

You thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced research environment, with a passion for accelerating AI research through strategic program leadership and deep technical engagement. You are adept at navigating ambiguity and exercising independent judgment to develop novel solutions, especially where processes may not exist.

To set you up for success as a Technical Program Manager at , we look for the following skills and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years of experience in Technical Program Management, Program Management, or a related role within an advanced technical or research environment
• Proven experience partnering directly with research or engineering leads to define, drive, and deliver on high-impact, technically complex projects
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills, with a demonstrated ability to understand complex technical systems and identify opportunities for optimization and acceleration
• Comprehensive understanding of program management methodologies, tools, and processes, with experience adapting them to research-centric environments
• Excellent technical communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage in deep technical discussions, distill complex ideas, and guide technical decision-making
• Experience in identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
• Demonstrated ability to build effective cross-functional teams and manage programs that span multiple disciplines
• A strong curiosity and capacity to quickly learn about new AI/machine learning concepts and research domains

In addition, the following would be an advantage:

• Direct experience in AI/machine learning research or development
• Experience open-sourcing and launching industry AI products end to end
• Experience influencing technical strategy and roadmaps in a research setting

Note: In the event your application is successful and an offer of employment is made to you, any offer of employment will be conditional on the results of a background check, performed by a third party acting on our behalf. For more information on how we handle your data, please see our Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy.

At , we value diversity of experience, knowledge, backgrounds and perspectives and harness these qualities to create extraordinary impact. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.

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