Program Manager - Japan (Bilingual Japanese/English)

AI Chopping Block, Inc.; Santa Clara, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

PlusAI, a Bay Area-based Physical AI company, seeks a Program Manager to own Japan-based programs, coordinating between Japanese partners and PlusAI’s engineering, product, and operations teams in the Bay Area. This role requires Japanese fluency and involves regular travel to Japan (~25%).

You will translate priorities in both directions, manage program plans, KPIs, and milestones, and serve as the primary contact for cross-functional collaboration across regions.

Qualifications

• Fluent in Japanese and English, strong communication skills across multilingual teams.
• Proven track record in managing complex, cross-functional programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with adaptable style for different audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and decisive leadership in planning and execution.
• Ability to travel to Japan ~25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage ongoing programs with Japanese customers, serving as the primary point of contact for program-level matters.
• Act as the connective tissue between Japan-based partner teams and PlusAI's cross-functional U.S. teams, translating priorities bidirectionally.
• Gather and integrate project performance data from engineering, quality, and partner teams.
• Prepare and present status reports with milestones, metrics, and risk analysis for leadership and partners, in English and Japanese as needed.
• Maintain detailed project plans, timelines, KPIs, and milestones for Japan programs.
• Identify dependencies and risks early, driving mitigation plans across teams and partners.
• Travel to Japan (~25%) to participate in partner reviews and testing activities.

Skills

Japanese fluency

English fluency

Program management

Cross-functional teamwork

Strong communication

Job description

PlusAI is a Physical AI company pioneering AI-based virtual driver software for factory-built autonomous trucks. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with operations in the United States and Europe, Plus was named by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Partners including TRATON GROUP's Scania, MAN, and International brands, Hyundai Motor Company, Iveco Group, Bosch, and DSV are working with Plus to accelerate the deployment of next-generation autonomous trucks. If you're ready to make a huge impact and drive the future of autonomy, Plus is looking for talented individuals to join its fast-growing teams.

About the role:

PlusAI is looking for a Program Manager to serve as the day-to-day owner of Japan-based programs - the connective tissue between our Japanese partners and PlusAI's engineering, product, and operations teams in the Bay Area.

This role is based in the Bay Area with regular, though not full-time, travel to Japan (approximately 25%). Japanese fluency is required, since you will be operating as a trusted, direct point of contact for partner teams who communicate primarily in Japanese.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage ongoing programs with PlusAI's Japanese customers, acting as the primary point of contact for program-level matters.
• Serve as the connective tissue between Japan-based partner teams and PlusAI's cross-functional engineering, product, and operations organizations in the U.S., translating context and priorities accurately in both directions.
• Gather and integrate project performance and progress information from engineering, quality, and partner teams.
• Prepare and deliver detailed status reports - accomplishments, upcoming deliverables, project metrics, and risk analysis - for both PlusAI leadership and partner stakeholders, in English and Japanese as needed.
• Prepare and maintain detailed project plans, deliverable timelines, KPIs, and milestones across Japan programs.
• Identify dependencies and risks early, and drive mitigation plans across internal teams and partner organizations.
• Travel to Japan (~25%) to represent PlusAI in person at key partner reviews, program milestones, and testing activities.

Required Skills

• Fluent in Japanese and English, with the ability to work professionally in both languages - written, verbal, and in real-time discussion.
• Solid program management experience, with a proven track record of building and executing complex, cross-functional programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the judgment to adapt style and approach for different audiences and cultural contexts.
• Strong organizational and planning skills; a natural leader in providing structure, prioritization, and decisiveness.
• Willingness and ability to travel to Japan approximately 25% of the time.

Preferred Skills

• Prior professional experience living or working in Japan, with first-hand familiarity with Japanese business norms and communication style.
• Experience working with Japanese automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers.
• Experience in the automotive, autonomous vehicle, or trucking industry.