Senior/Staff Technical Program Manager - Autonomy Behaviors

Zoox; Foster City (CA); Hybrid; USD 213,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoox, based in California, is seeking a Technical Program Manager to drive cross-functional AI/ML programs across software, hardware, vehicle engineering, product and beyond. You will create schedules, identify milestones, flag risks, estimate budgets, and communicate progress to leadership.

You will translate strategy into structured roadmaps, define metrics, present trade-offs to senior leaders, and mentor other TPMs while building scalable program management practices.

Qualifications

• 10-12+ years of experience in engineering program management, including owning programs spanning multiple orgs or director-level+ stakeholders
• Deep experience with AI/ML, autonomous vehicles, computer vision, reinforcement learning, simulation, and/or automotive or aerospace processes
• Demonstrated track record of resolving high-ambiguity, cross-organizational risks and driving alignment across senior leadership
• Experience building or scaling program management processes, strategy, and tooling for a broader team or function
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to flex between technical depth with engineers and strategic framing with executives

Responsibilities

• Own and drive Zoox's most complex, cross-organizational AI/ML programs, spanning multiple engineering teams and director-level+ stakeholders, from strategy through delivery
• Translate ambiguous, top-down corporate strategy into structured roadmaps, resolving conflicting priorities across teams before they become executive-level escalations
• Define and track program-level metrics, using data to proactively surface systemic risks and drive process improvements across the org
• Present program status, trade-offs, and recommendations directly to senior leadership, building credibility and alignment at the executive level
• Build and scale program management practices, tooling, and processes for the broader TPM function, and mentor other TPMs

Skills

AI/ML program management

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic roadmapping

Risk management

Stakeholder communication

Program governance

Education

BS/MS in CS/Engineering/technical field

Tools

JIRA

Job description

Zoox has embarked on a highly ambitious journey to develop a full-stack autonomous mobility solution for our cities. As a technical program manager, you will work cross-functionally with engineering leaders across software, hardware, vehicle engineering, product and beyond to drive our corporate strategy into tactical and detailed road maps that facilitate effective execution at each stage of our growth curve. You will work with each engineering team to develop program schedules, identify milestones, flag risks, estimate budgets, and clearly communicate ongoing progress.

In this role, you will:

• Own and drive Zoox's most complex, cross-organizational AI/ML programs, spanning multiple engineering teams and director-level+ stakeholders, from strategy through delivery
• Translate ambiguous, top-down corporate strategy into structured roadmaps, resolving conflicting priorities across teams before they become executive-level escalations
• Define and track program-level metrics, using data to proactively surface systemic risks and drive process improvements across the org
• Present program status, trade-offs, and recommendations directly to senior leadership, building credibility and alignment at the executive level
• Build and scale program management practices, tooling, and processes for the broader TPM function, and mentor other TPMs

Qualifications

• BS/MS in computer science, engineering, technical field, or equivalent job experience
  10-12+ years of experience in engineering program management, including experience owning programs spanning multiple orgs or director-level+ stakeholders
• Deep experience with AI/ML, autonomous vehicles, computer vision, reinforcement learning, simulation, and/or automotive or aerospace processes
• Demonstrated track record of resolving high-ambiguity, cross-organizational risks and driving alignment across senior leadership
• Experience building or scaling program management processes, strategy, and tooling for a broader team or function
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to flex between technical depth with engineers and strategic framing with executives

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience in the AV industry or robotics
• Experience integrating AI tools/agents into program management workflows
• Experience using JIRA or other similar tools

$213,000 - $273,000 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.