Senior Automotive SDV Customer Program Management

NXP Semiconductors; San Jose, Austin, Novi (CA, TX, MI); On-site; CAD 308,000 - 423,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid leave

Equity incentive

Job summary

NXP Semiconductors NV in San Jose, CA seeks a Senior Customer Program Manager to lead strategic Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) programs with top-tier automotive OEMs. You will own end-to-end delivery across hardware, software, and systems, and engage OEM executives and cross-functional teams to turn complex challenges into structured plans.

This role requires deep automotive semiconductor experience, executive communication, and a proven track record delivering large, global programs with strong

Qualifications

• BSEE or equivalent technical degree.
• 10+ years leading strategic customer programs in semiconductor/automotive environments.
• Executive-level engagement with OEMs.
• Global cross-functional team leadership.
• Strong commercial acumen and risk management.
• Expert in customer escalation and problem resolution.
• Outstanding presentation and negotiation skills.
• Deep knowledge of automotive semiconductor hardware, software, and systems.
• Ability to build long-term executive relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of strategic SDV customer programs with clear plans and ownership across hardware, software, and systems integration.
• Own and drive escalations with structured root-cause analysis and resolution pathways.
• Interface with OEM leadership to align priorities, risks, and recovery plans.
• Create strong cross-functional alignment across engineering, products, operations, and sales.
• Establish program governance with milestones, risks, decisions, and executive progress.
• Identify and mitigate risks impacting delivery, quality, or customer satisfaction.
• Enable executive decision-making through concise communication and trade-off recommendations.
• Recover and accelerate at-risk programs by building actionable execution plans and restoring customer confidence.

Skills

Executive stakeholder mgmt

Cross-functional leadership

Automotive semiconductors

Customer escalation management

Presentation & negotiation

Strategic relationship building

Education

BSEE

Job description

Job Title: Customer Program Management, Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV)

Primary Location: San Jose, CA

Secondary locations: Austin, TX or Novi, MI

Role Summary

Seeking an experienced and highly influential Senior Customer Program Manager to lead strategic Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) programs with top-tier automotive OEMs, driving projects from planning through successful delivery. This leadership role creates momentum, aligns teams around clear outcomes, engages directly with NXP senior leadership and OEM executives, and turns complex technical and delivery challenges into structured, achievable plans for success.

Job Responsibility

• Lead end-to-end execution of strategic SDV customer programs, clear plans, strong ownership, and successful delivery across hardware, software, and systems integration
• Own and drive critical escalations with a positive, solutions-focused approach, establishing clear root cause, accountability, and resolution pathways at pace
• Act as the senior interface to OEM leadership, building trust and aligning on priorities, risks, and recovery plans
• Create strong cross-functional alignment across engineering, products, operations, and sales, enabling teams to overcome complex program challenges and deliver with confidence
• Implement structured program governance that provides clarity on milestones, risks, decisions, and executive-level progress toward successful outcomes
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks impacting delivery, quality, or customer satisfaction
• Enable decision-making at executive level through clear, concise communication and trade-off recommendations
• Recover and accelerate at-risk programs by building clear execution plans, restoring customer confidence, and protecting long-term strategic relationships

Job Qualification

• BSEE required; may consider other similar technical degrees
• 10+ years leading strategic customer programs in semiconductor, automotive, OEM, or Tier 1 environments.
• Executive-level customer engagement, influence, and stakeholder management.
• Proven leadership of global, cross-functional teams delivering complex programs.
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of driving business growth and customer success.
• Expert in customer escalation management, risk mitigation, and complex problem resolution.
• Outstanding customer-facing, presentation, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Deep understanding of automotive semiconductor hardware, software, and system solutions.
• Ability to build long-term executive relationships, partnerships, and strategic alliances.

The base salary range for this position is as mentioned below per year. We also provide competitive benefits, incentive compensation, and/or equity for certain roles.
Company benefits include health. dental, and vision insurance. 401(k), and paid leave. Please note that the base salary range (OR hourly rate) is a guideline, and individual total compensation may vary based on a number of factors such as qualifications, skill level, work location, and other business and organizational needs. This base pay range is specific to California and is not applicable to other locations. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range as of the date of this posting is:

$220,400 to $303,100 annually

More information about NXP in the United States…

NXP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status as a disabled veteran and/or veteran of the Vietnam Era or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, NXP will provide reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.