Program Manager (Japan, Japanese Speaker)

Plusai; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Flexible working

Health benefits

Equity, 401k and FSA options

Professional development

Catered lunches

Job summary

PlusAI is seeking 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.

You will independently manage ongoing programs with PlusAI’s Japanese customers, acting as the primary point of contact for program-level matters, translating context and priorities in English and Japanese, gathering progress data, and delivering detailed status reports to

Qualifications

• Solid program management experience with cross-functional delivery.
• Fluent in Japanese and English, with strong bilingual communication.
• Experience with Japanese automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers.
• Willingness to travel to Japan ~25%.
• Experience in the automotive, autonomous vehicle, or trucking industry.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day management of Japan-based programs and be the primary contact for program-level matters.
• Coordinate between Japanese partner teams and PlusAI’s cross-functional engineering, product, and operations teams in the Bay Area.
• Gather and integrate project performance and progress information from engineering, quality, and partner teams.
• Prepare and deliver detailed status reports—accomplishments, upcoming deliverables, metrics, and risks—to leadership and partners in English and Japanese as needed.
• Prepare and maintain project plans, deliverable timelines, KPIs, and milestones across Japan programs.
• Identify dependencies and risks early, and drive mitigation plans across internal and partner teams.
• Travel to Japan (~25%) to represent PlusAI in reviews and milestones.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Organizational skills

Bilingual JP/EN

Communication

Automotive/AV industry

Industry experience

Travel readiness

Job description

• 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
• 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

Benefits

• Unlimited PTO: Unlimited paid time off on top of company holidays to recharge and enjoy as needed
• Flexible working: Flexibile work arrangements and technology to help manage life’s demands at the office and remote
• Health benefits: Tiered options in medical, dental, and vision insurance to fit your unique needs
• Future building: Equity, 401k and FSA options for all eligible employees to help build for your future
• Professional development: Company-sponsored professional development opportunities such as conferences, training, and workshops
• Catered lunches: Daily catered lunches at both of our Santa Clara and Fremont offices

Willingness and ability to travel to Japan approximately 25% of the timeStrong organizational and planning skills; a natural leader in providing structure, prioritization, and decisivenessSolid program management experience, with a proven track record of building and executing complex, cross-functional programsFluent in Japanese and English, with the ability to work professionally in both languages — written, verbal, and in real-time discussionExcellent written and verbal communication skills, with the judgment to adapt style and approach for different audiences and cultural contextsPrior professional experience living or working in Japan, with first‑hand familiarity with Japanese business norms and communication styleExperience working with Japanese automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliersExperience in the automotive, autonomous vehicle, or trucking industry