Senior Technical Program Manager - Compute and Sensors

AI Chopping Block; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoox is seeking a Technical Program Manager to own the end-to-end plan for next‑gen compute and sensor software workstreams, coordinating across hardware, embedded software, and systems integration teams.

You will drive risk management, schedule tracking, and executive reporting while facilitating critical trade‑offs and ensuring timely readiness for production. This role emphasizes strong communication and architecture understanding across the autonomous mobility stack.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of technical program management experience spanning embedded software and hardware (compute platforms, SoCs, sensors)
• Strong track record of managing complex, long‑running cross‑functional projects
• Deep familiarity with software, hardware, or automotive development processes
• Ability to communicate clearly to different audiences and keep the big picture in focus
• Strong technical and analytical skills; ability to contribute to architecture/methodology docs and to present status to leadership
• Excellent relationship-building with senior leaders and engineers without direct authority

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end program plan for next‑gen compute and sensor software workstreams from definition to bring‑up and production readiness
• Collaborate with hardware, firmware, perception, and systems engineering to align on requirements and milestones across the compute/sensor stack
• Identify and resolve cross‑team dependencies, risks, and schedule conflicts
• Develop and maintain program schedules, tracking, and executive status reporting
• Lead technical trade‑off discussions (performance, power, cost, timeline) and drive decisions to closure with engineering leadership
• Establish and evolve program management processes for a fast‑moving hardware‑software program

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Risk management

Architecture understanding

Education

BS or MS in CS/Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Zoox has embarked on a highly ambitious journey to develop a full-stack autonomous mobility solution for our cities. We’re looking for a technical program manager to drive cross‑functional programs delivering our next‑generation compute platform and sensor architecture — the hardware and software backbone of our autonomous vehicle stack. You'll own program strategy, execution, and risk management across hardware, embedded software, and systems integration teams, working closely with hardware engineering, perception, and platform software groups to ship on schedule.

In this role, you will:

• Own the end-to-end program plan for next‑gen compute and sensor software workstreams, from architecture definition through bring‑up, validation, and production readiness.
• Partner with hardware, firmware, perception, and systems engineering leads to align on requirements, interfaces, and milestones across the compute/sensor stack.
• Identify and drive resolution of cross‑team dependencies, technical risks, and schedule conflicts before they become blockers.
• Build and maintain program schedules, tracking mechanisms, and executive‑level status reporting.
• Facilitate technical trade‑off discussions (performance, power, cost, timeline) and drive decisions to closure with engineering leadership.
• Establish and evolve program management processes (planning cadences, milestone reviews, launch readiness criteria) for a fast‑moving hardware‑software program.

Qualifications

• BS or MS degree in computer science, engineering or equivalent job experience
• 8+ years of technical program management experience, with a track record on programs spanning embedded software and hardware (compute platforms, SoCs, sensors, or similar)
• Strong track record of managing complex, long‑running, cross‑functional projects
• Deep familiarity with software, hardware, or automotive development processes
• An ability to keep the big picture in focus and to provide clear, well‑structured, and concise communications tailored to each appropriate audience
• Strong Technical and Analytical Skills: Ability to contribute to architecture/methodology docs, understand systems/hardware‑software interfaces, excellent written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting program status and risk to senior leadership
• Strong references that highlight your ability to build strong working relationships with senior leaders and engineers across functions and departments and to advance your goals without having direct authority

Bonus Qualifications

• Background in autonomous vehicles, robotics, semiconductors, or automotive systems is a strong plus.