Head of Hardware TPM

Kodiak AI; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. is seeking a Head of Hardware Technical Program Management to lead end-to-end hardware programs—from sensors and compute to vehicle integration.

You will manage a team of 3 TPMs and partner with engineering, manufacturing, and operations to de-risk programs and ensure on-time delivery. The role requires 10+ years in technical program management with hardware experience and a proven track record shipping complex systems.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in technical program management with hardware focus
• 4+ years managing TPMs or program managers directly
• Deep familiarity with hardware development lifecycles (DFM/DFA, EVT/DVT/PVT)

Responsibilities

• Own the hardware program roadmap: schedules, milestones, dependencies, risk tracking
• Lead and grow a team of 3 TPMs, set standards for program rigor and cross-functional communication
• Partner with Hardware Eng, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, Safety/Compliance to de-risk programs
• Drive design reviews, gate reviews, and change management to keep programs moving
• Own escalation paths and drive resolution, involving leadership when needed
• Create visibility for executives: status reports, risk registers, roadmap health
• Set strategy for hardware program management processes, tooling, and metrics
• Represent hardware program status in cross-functional, exec, and customer-facing settings
• Collaborate with hardware engineering leadership on org design, resourcing, prioritization

Skills

Hardware TPM leadership

People management

Program risk management

Executive communication

Autonomous vehicle hardware

Job description

Head of Hardware Technical Program Management

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 and has become a leader in autonomous ground transportation committed to a safer and more efficient future for all. The company has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology stack purpose-built for commercial trucking and the public sector. The company delivers freight daily for its customers across the southern United States using its autonomous technology. In 2024, Kodiak became the first known company to publicly announce delivering a driverless semi-truck to a customer. Kodiak is also leveraging its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.

About the Role

We're looking for a Head of Hardware TPM to lead program management across our hardware organization, spanning sensor systems, compute, electrical/mechanical integration, and vehicle-level hardware platforms. You'll own the end-to-end execution rigor that gets hardware from concept through validation to fleet deployment, and you'll lead a team of 3 TPMs covering these programs. This is a leadership role reporting directly to the Director of Program, with high visibility across Engineering, Operations, and executive leadership.

What You'll Do

• Own the hardware program roadmap: schedules, milestones, dependencies, and risk tracking across concurrent hardware programs (sensors, compute, harnessing, vehicle integration, etc.)
• Lead and grow a team of 3 TPMs, setting standards for program rigor, reporting, and cross-functional communication, and developing them as they take on increasing scope
• Partner closely with Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, and Safety/Compliance to de-risk programs before they become fire drills
• Drive design reviews, gate reviews, and change management processes (ECOs/ECRs) to keep programs moving without sacrificing quality
• Own escalation paths: identify blockers early, drive resolution, and know when to pull in leadership
• Create and maintain program-level visibility for executives: status reporting, risk registers, and roadmap health
• Set the strategic direction for hardware program management processes, tooling, and metrics org-wide (e.g., PLM systems, release processes)
• Represent hardware program status in cross-functional, executive, and customer-facing settings as needed
• Act as a key partner to hardware engineering leadership on org design, resourcing, and prioritization tradeoffs

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years in technical program management, with deep experience in hardware (mechanical, electrical, or systems-level), robotics, automotive, aerospace, or similar hardware-intensive industries strongly preferred
• 4+ years managing TPMs or program managers directly, with experience developing senior ICs
• Deep familiarity with hardware development lifecycles: DFM/DFA, EVT/DVT/PVT-style validation gates, ECO/PLM processes
• Proven track record shipping complex hardware systems on schedule at scale, with a bias toward identifying and killing risk early
• Excellent executive communication: able to distill complex, multi-workstream programs into clear risk/status narratives for leadership
• Comfortable owning ambiguous, high-stakes problems with no clean home
• Bonus: experience with autonomous vehicle systems, sensor hardware (lidar/radar/camera), or safety-critical hardware development

Why This Role Matters

Hardware programs are the backbone of getting real vehicles into the real world. This role will set the direction for how hardware program management scales as the org grows, balancing speed, quality, and risk across a widening portfolio of programs.

The pay range listed below reflects the base salaryin our SF/Silicon Valley location,across several internal levels. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors including: work location, experience, relevant training, education, skill level and performance during interview. Total compensation at Kodiak includes base pay, equity, bonus and a competitive benefits package

$195,000 - $260,000 USD

At Kodiak, we strive to build a diverse community working towards our common company goals in a safe and collaborative environment where harassment of any kind is strictly prohibited. Kodiak is committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

In alignment with its business operations, Kodiak adheres to all relevant statutes, regulations, and administrative prerequisites. Accordingly, roles that carry more sensitive requirements may be limited to candidates that can satisfy additional scrutiny and eligibility for such positions may hinge on verification of a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status. Should the position require, and Kodiak determines that a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status necessitate an export license, bar the candidate from the position, or otherwise fall under national security-related restrictions, Kodiak will consider the candidate for alternative positions unaffected by such restrictions, under terms and conditions set forth at Kodiak’s sole discretion, or, as an alternative, opt not to proceed with the candidate’s application. If applicable, Kodiak may provide visa sponsorship for eligible candidates.