Senior/Staff Technical Program Manager - Compute Hardware

Posted 2 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Foster City, CA, USA
In-Office
213K-296K Annually
Senior level
Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Transportation • Design • Manufacturing
Zoox is an autonomous mobility company that’s created a purpose-built robotaxi to give the world a better way to ride.
The Role
Own the Primary Compute Unit program end to end, coordinating hardware development, software integration, validation, manufacturing, suppliers, quality, safety, and fleet issue resolution. Build integrated schedules, roadmaps, budgets, milestones, risk mitigation plans, and communication processes. Lead cross-functional teams, manage contract manufacturers and supplier activities, track work in JIRA, ensure assembly readiness and on-time parts delivery, and communicate program status to senior stakeholders while influencing without formal authority.
Summary Generated by Built In
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

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.

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Accommodations
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to [email protected] 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.

Skills Required

  • BS or MS degree in an engineering discipline, or equivalent experience
  • At least 10 years of professional work experience
  • At least 5 years of program management experience
  • Deep experience with hardware development and hardware/software integration
  • Significant experience working with contract manufacturers to deliver products from conception through production
  • Proficiency with complex project management tools such as JIRA and Smartsheet
  • Strong track record managing complex, cross-functional projects
  • Ability to work through rapid design cycles and remain flexible and calm amid uncertainty
  • Self-motivated and proactive problem-solving ability
  • Automotive industry experience or prior experience developing compute systems
  • Strong references demonstrating relationship-building with senior leaders and engineers across functions

Zoox Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Zoox and has not been reviewed or approved by Zoox.

  • Healthcare Strength Healthcare is extensive, with broad medical and vision options, company‑paid disability coverage, and multiple mental‑health resources. Feedback suggests coverage breadth and auxiliary programs support a wide range of needs.
  • Parental & Family Support Family supports include paid parental leave, additional pregnancy disability time, fertility coverage, and adoption/surrogacy assistance. Backup care and family‑oriented programs further reinforce support across life stages.
  • Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits Day‑to‑day perks are robust, including free daily meals, fitness subsidies, commuter support, and on‑site amenities. Feedback suggests these lifestyle benefits enhance convenience and workplace experience, especially for office‑based roles.

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The Company
HQ: Foster City, CA
2,900 Employees
Year Founded: 2014

What We Do

Zoox is an autonomous mobility company that was founded to provide a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable future on the road. To achieve that goal, the company has spent the past 10 years creating a purpose-built robotaxi that gives the world a better way to ride.

Why Work With Us

At Zoox, we are working to solve one of the greatest technological challenges of our generation. From the beginning, we have been focused on our goal of reimagining transportation from the ground up. We are a mission-driven community of innovators working together to create a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable future on the road.

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