Zoox is building a fleet of purpose-built robotaxis from the ground up — and the Advanced Hardware Engineering (AHE) team delivers the physical intelligence that makes autonomy real: the sensors, compute, and electronics that let our vehicles perceive, reason, and drive. At the very heart of that architecture sits the Primary Compute Unit (PCU), the brain that runs the AI stack powering every autonomous mile. We are now developing the next generation of the PCU from an early, clean-sheet design phase, and we are looking for a deeply experienced Technical Program Manager to lead it end-to-end — from early architecture and design through validation, integration, and production.
This is one of the most complex, mission-critical, and highly visible programs at Zoox. You will lead with a true helicopter perspective - translating company strategy and vehicle milestones into an end-to-end program plan, then dropping into the technical and schedule detail to make it real. Across hardware, firmware, systems, software, safety, supply chain, quality, manufacturing, and vehicle integration, you will align teams on shared objectives, establish clear accountability, and deliver timely, high-quality results throughout the entire product lifecycle.
The person we are looking for is a big-picture thinker and detail-oriented executor, a gentle-yet-radical truth-teller, and a natural cross-functional weaver. You connect the dots across the organization, bring executive attention to the right topics at the right time, and drive root-cause analysis and resolution when the unexpected happens. You lead through influence rather than authority, communicate with clarity and executive presence at every level, and build the trust and partnerships that turn a group of brilliant specialists into One Team. Most of all, this is your chance to shape the future of transportation - safer, cleaner, more efficient, and a lot more fun.
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 suppliers (JDM, CM) 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
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in an engineering discipline, or equivalent experience
- At least 10 years of work experience
- At least 5 years of program management experience
- Deep experience with hardware development and hardware/software integration
- Significant experience working with JDM and CM suppliers to deliver products from conception through production
- Proficiency with complex project management tools, including JIRA and Smartsheet
- Strong track record managing complex, cross-functional projects
- Ability to manage 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Zoox Insights
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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