Palo Alto, CA General Engineering Technical Project Manager - Hardware General Engineering Technical Project Manager - Hardware

Pivotal; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

401k

Job summary

Pivotal is hiring a Technical Project Manager to lead and manage cross-functional projects related to design changes, test & release, and product launches.

You will collaborate across teams, apply Scrum/Agile methods and traditional project management, and drive accountability to deliver on time with safety top of mind.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in engineering design or test of complex electro-mechanical systems.
• 3+ years of project leadership in related industries.
• Strong knowledge of project management fundamentals; PMI certification or equivalent knowledge.
• Strong knowledge of Jira and MS Project and their use in enterprise settings.
• Experience in growth-stage companies and larger, best-practice organizations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage projects using Jira / MS Project across design updates, test & release, and product launches.
• Carry out regular reviews with task owners and leadership, ensuring to keep activities on track and address scope/schedule slips.
• Be a champion for project management fundamentals and share your skills with others.
• Maintain safety focus while delivering aviation history and driving teamwork.

Skills

Scrum/Agile

Jira

MS Project

Cross-functional leadership

Engineering design

Education

Degreed engineer

PMI certification (preferred)

Tools

Jira

MS Project

Job description

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.

Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in 2026.

Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

As the Technical Project Manager, you will develop, lead,maintainschedules and budgets, and manage projects related to design changes, test & release, early adopter programs, product launches, andsupportingmanufacturing development projects. You work seamlessly across functions and are comfortable with Scrum/Agile, as well as traditional water-fall critical-path project management. You are comfortable with a range of project management tools, including Git Lab and MS Project, and are confidentpresenting totechnical groups and executive management alike. You are tenacious and drive accountability andleveragethe collective smarts of teams to find better solutions – committed to “finding a way”.Ideally, you also bring a passion for technology, aviation, and the future of personal flight!

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage projects,leveragingin Jira / MS Project or similar enterprise project management tools, related to a range of cross-functional initiatives such as design updates,testand release, & product launch
• Carry out regular reviews and regular check-ins with task owners and leadership, ensuring to keep activities on track and quickly address new scope, schedule slips and setbacks while finding opportunities to improve time-to-market
• Be a champion for project management fundamentals and share your greatest skills with others, empowering others to take ownership
• Make sure we are having fun together creating aviation history while maintaining an uncompromising focus on safety of human flight!

Qualifications

• 5+years experiencein engineering design or test of complex electro-mechanical systems
• Background in engineering product development and three or more years of project leadership experience in the same and/or related industries
• Strong knowledge of project management fundamentals. PMI associated certification or equivalent knowledge and experience
• Strong knowledge of Jira and MS Project and use/applicability of implementation
• Experience in growth stage companies and larger, best-practice organizations

Preferred Qualifications

• Degreed engineer with hands-on design/development experience that has taken multiple system-level integrated productstomanufacturing transition (inclusive ofsoftware) and market ramp and has transitioned to project management as aprimary discipline
• Expert-level proficiency in Jira, including advanced configuration (workflows, schemes, automation, dashboards) to support complex, cross-functional programs
• Experience and excels in start-up environments – running New Product Introduction programs while followingPivotal program management process
• Experience in aircraft certification and verification / validation
• Optimistic and driven, always finds a way
• A lean mindset: Always thinking about how to make things more efficient
• A growth mindset: Love learning and being challenged
• Strong work ethic and detail-oriented
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, communication, and collaboration skills

Attributes aligned with Core Values

• Safety Above All: Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily work, identifying and mitigating risks, encouraging open dialogue about safety concerns, and continuously improving practices and protocols.
• Customer Focus: Puts customers at the center of every action by understanding their challenges, delivering meaningful value, and supporting their success.
• Work Better Together: Seeks and values diverse perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication and commitment to shared decisions.
• Be the Pilot: Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes.
• Embrace the Unknown: Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical approaches to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
• Respect for People: Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support by balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.

Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.

Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.