Robot Program Director

Zoox; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 292,000 - 351,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off (sick leave, vacation)

Health insurance

Long-term and short-term disability insurance

Life insurance

Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights

Amazon RSUs

Job summary

Zoox is seeking a Robot Program Director to lead the design and execution of its revolutionary Robotaxi. This pivotal role involves program management and technical leadership across various teams, ensuring milestones are met and the project stays on schedule.

The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of experience in engineering or program management in the automotive industry, with a proven track record in launching vehicle programs. A comprehensive benefits package and competitive salary range of $292,000 - $351,000 a year are offered.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in engineering or program management in the automotive industry.
• Proven experience launching vehicle programs from start to finish.
• Extensive experience in product development at all stages.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the Robotaxi, driving cross‑functional teams.
• Define program milestones and deliverables.
• Create regular status checks to ensure the program remains on track.

Skills

Program management

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Gantt chart proficiency

Problem resolution

Education

BS or MS in Engineering or equivalent experience

Job description

Zoox is developing autonomous mobility from the ground up. The Vehicle Program team ensures that this groundbreaking vehicle is delivered, meeting its high-performance targets while remaining on time, within budget, and to a very high-quality standard.

Reporting to the VP of Vehicle Development, the Robot Program Director is responsible for program management and delivery of one of the vehicle programs within Zoox. The role serves as the chief technical and program lead for one of our robotaxi vehicles. You will be responsible for high-impact decisions, both technical and strategic in nature.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development of the Robotaxi, driving cross‑functional teams across Zoox to plan and execute the vehicle program.
• Determine program milestones: Work with core team members to define key program timing.
• Define the deliverables: Align on requirements for each team at each milestone and define the benchmark for completing them.
• Set the schedule: Build a realistic and achievable timing plan with input from core program team members.
• Review progress: Create regular status checks to ensure the program remains on track.
• Track Progress: Create and maintain a clear dashboard showing program status.
• Resolve or escalate issues: Collaborate with teams to find solutions or mitigations.
• Escalate for management support: Ensure appropriate resources are in place across the cross‑functional team to execute program deliverables.

Qualifications

• BS or MS degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
• 15+ years of experience in engineering or program management in the automotive or equivalent industry.
• Proven experience launching at least one vehicle program from start to finish, preferably multiple programs.
• Extensive experience in product development at all stages; product ideation, design, release, prototyping, validation, launch and production.
• Proficient in tools required to manage complex projects (i.e. Gantt charts).

$292,000 - $351,000 a year

Base Salary Range

There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign‑on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.

Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long‑term care insurance, long‑term and short‑term disability insurance, and life insurance.