Program Manager [AQ-24002]

Aquent; Campbell (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent is supporting a pioneering autonomous driving technology company seeking a Program Manager to optimize validation operations across testing fleets. The role blends strategic coordination with hands-on depot presence, requiring 1–2 days on-site per week and 15–30% local travel.

You will analyze daily operations, generate concise performance briefings, and manage vendor relationships to ensure on-time platform rollouts.

Qualifications

• Hands-on operations background in physical operations environments.
• Experience in operations coordination or program management.
• Strong Excel/Google Sheets skills with pivot tables.
• Experience using generative AI tools for productivity.
• Willingness to travel 15–30% for depot presence.

Responsibilities

• Analyze daily operational data and track fleet metrics.
• Generate daily briefings and performance summaries for Regional Validation Managers.
• Spend 1–2 days/week on-site at depots to observe launches and triage delays.
• Act as ops contact for third-party vendors and ensure alignment with goals.
• Triage escalations and prioritize time-sensitive field blockers.
• Leverage AI tools to accelerate reporting and trend analysis.
• Collaborate with site ops leads, product, safety, and engineering.

Skills

Operations management

Program management

Logistics tracking

Data analysis

Google Sheets

AI tooling mindset

Vendor coordination

Stakeholder communication

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Operations/Analytics/Logistics

Relevant practical operations experience

Tools

Looker

Tableau

Power BI

SQL basics

Job description

Aquent, a leading talent solutions partner, is excited to support a pioneering autonomous driving technology company dedicated to making transportation safe and accessible for everyone. This innovative organization is at the forefront of developing self-driving technology that will revolutionize how people and goods move. As a key contributor, you will play a critical role in ensuring the continuous safety and reliability of this groundbreaking technology, directly impacting the future of mobility.

About the Role: Driving Operational Excellence and Innovation

We are seeking an adaptable, proactive, and operationally grounded Program Manager to join a dynamic team focused on optimizing validation operations across autonomous vehicle testing fleets. This pivotal role bridges strategic program coordination with ground-level operational oversight (approximately a 65% operations and 35% program management balance).

Location:

• San Francisco Bay Area, CA
• Note: This is a remote/home-based role requiring an average of 1–2 days per week on-site at local operational vehicle depots (approx. 15%–30% local travel). Candidates must reside within commuting distance (ideally within a 50-mile radius) of the designated market.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze Daily Operational Data: Track shift fulfillment, online vehicle rates, and fleet configuration metrics across dashboards and spreadsheets; conduct root-cause deep dives into performance dips (e.g., staffing gaps or vehicle downtime).
• Leadership Briefings & Performance Reporting: Generate clear, concise daily briefings and performance summaries for Regional Validation Managers, translating raw field data into actionable operational insights.
• Depot Ground Coordination: Spend an average of 1–2 days per week on-site at operational vehicle depots to observe platform launches, triage operational delays, and inspect fleet rollout bottlenecks alongside vendor leads.
• Vendor Partner Oversight: Act as an operational point of contact for third-party service vendors responsible for day-to-day driving operations and test execution, ensuring clear communication and alignment with program goals.
• Fast-Paced Prioritization & Escalation Handling: Triage incoming operational escalations, ad-hoc pings, and shift changes in real time, exercising sound judgment to prioritize time-sensitive field blockers.
• AI-Assisted Workflow Optimization: Utilize modern AI tools (including LLMs like Gemini and AI assistants) to accelerate operational reporting, synthesize findings, analyze trends, and automate repetitive administrative workflows.
• Hands-On Problem Solving: Adapt to evolving program needs without hesitation, demonstrating a low-ego willingness to execute intensive manual reviews (such as auditing daily route prioritization matrices or dispatch plans) when systems require human verification.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner seamlessly with site operations leads, regional managers, product managers, safety teams, and engineering peers to coordinate vehicle platform rollouts. (Note: This role does not involve vehicle driving or mechanical/maintenance repairs.)

Required Qualifications

• Location: Must reside within commuting distance (ideally within 50 miles) of one of the target hubs: San Francisco Bay Area, CA; Phoenix, AZ; or Washington, D.C.
• Physical Operations Background: Hands-on experience working in environments with physical operations (e.g., fleet operations, logistics, warehousing, delivery fulfillment, transportation, or AV depot environments). Purely digital/software-only project management will not suffice.
• Educational Background: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Business Analytics, Supply Chain/Logistics, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical operations experience).
• Operational Coordination Experience: Demonstrated experience in operations coordination, program management, logistics tracking, or technical operations.
• Spreadsheet Proficiency: Strong hands-on capability with Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel (experience building formulas, organizing raw datasets, and utilizing pivot tables to detect operational trends).
• AI Tooling Mindset: Active experience leveraging generative AI tools (e.g., Gemini, ChatGPT, or internal LLMs) as a daily productivity multiplier to draft documentation, interpret data trends, or streamline personal workflows.
• Adaptability & Resilience: High comfort with ambiguity and rapid organizational iteration (“things are always changing”); demonstrated self-management skills and ability to balance manual groundwork with high-level stakeholder communication.
• Mobility & Depot Presence: Willingness and ability to spend an average of 1–2 days per week on-site at operational depots (approx. 15%–30% local travel).
• Tooling: Advanced proficiency with Google Workspace applications (Google Sheets, Docs, Slides, and Chat/Meet).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience within Alphabet, Google, Waymo, or similar high-growth autonomous vehicle (AV), robotics, or tech-logistics environments.
• Experience collaborating with third-party vendor operations, staffing agencies, or service supplier POCs.
• Familiarity with operational dashboards and BI platforms (e.g., Looker, Tableau, Power BI) or basic SQL queries (nice-to-have, not required).
• Experience presenting operational metrics and project roadmaps to cross-functional and senior leadership teams.

Client Description

Join one of the world’s most iconic technology visionaries, consistently recognized as a global leader in digital innovation. Our client offers a high-energy, collaborative environment where you will work alongside some of the industry’s brightest minds. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience within a multi-billion dollar tech giant, contributing to high-visibility projects that influence how the world connects and learns. For professionals looking to elevate your career, there is no better place to build your portfolio and witness large-scale innovation in action.