Senior Technical Program Manager - Hardware NPI

Skill; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent is partnering with a leading autonomous-vehicle hardware developer to identify a strategic Technical Program Manager who can guide complex hardware programs from concept through EVT, DVT, PVT and into production ramp.

You will own integrated schedules, manage cross-functional dependencies across hardware, software, firmware, and manufacturing, and report progress to executives while mitigating risks and ensuring manufacturing-readiness for next-generation mobility hardware.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in hardware Technical Program Management, Engineering TPM, or hardware NPI program management.
• End-to-end ownership of physical hardware products from concept through production ramp.
• Experience with integrated hardware systems and cross-functional delivery in automotive or complex electronics.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end program management for next-gen hardware development from concept through EVT, DVT, PVT and production ramp.
• Develop and manage integrated schedules, milestones, cross-functional dependencies, and risk tracking.
• Translate strategy into detailed roadmaps, plans, timelines, and team deliverables.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, systems engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and vehicle teams.
• Ensure responsibilities, deadlines, and criteria for delivery are clear and traceable.
• Work with external contract manufacturers for prototype builds, EVT/validation builds, and manufacturing readiness.

Skills

Program management

End-to-end ownership

Cross-functional leadership

DFM and DFT

Hardware development cycles

Communication with senior leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

Program management software

Integrated schedules

Risk registers

Program dashboards

External contract manufacturers

Job description

Placement Type:

Temporary

Salary:

$79.77-88.64 Hourly

Start Date:

Sep 15, 2026

Aquent, a leading talent solutions partner, is excited to connect exceptional talent with a visionary leader in autonomous vehicle technology. Our client is revolutionizing transportation by developing cutting-edge hardware for its next generation of self-driving vehicles. Their Advanced Hardware Engineering team is at the forefront, delivering the innovative hardware, computing systems, and electrical components that power this groundbreaking fleet. This is an unparalleled opportunity to make a tangible impact on the future of mobility, joining a fast-moving team dedicated to solving complex engineering challenges and scaling its influence through structured innovation.

Are you ready to shape the future of transportation? We are seeking an experienced leader to drive complex hardware development programs from initial concept and architecture through engineering validation-including EVT, DVT, and PVT-and into full production ramp. This is a critical, hardware-focused program management role where your expertise will directly influence the delivery of next-generation mobility technology. You will be instrumental in leading physical products through development builds, manufacturing readiness, and production, owning integrated schedules, milestones, dependencies, build readiness, risks, and executive-level reporting. Partnering closely with diverse internal engineering teams and external contract manufacturers, you will bring structure to rapidly evolving programs and ensure the seamless delivery of groundbreaking hardware.

What You'll Do

• Own end-to-end program management for next-generation hardware development programs, from concept and architecture through EVT, DVT, and PVT builds and into production ramp.
• Develop and manage integrated program schedules, milestones, cross-functional dependencies, engineering-build readiness, risks, and deliverables.
• Translate corporate strategy and major program milestones into detailed product roadmaps, execution plans, timelines, and team-level deliverables.
• Work closely with hardware, software, firmware, functional safety, systems engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and vehicle development teams to align priorities, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Ensure that each contributing team clearly understands its responsibilities, deadlines, dependencies, and criteria for successful delivery.
• Partner directly with external contract manufacturers to plan and execute prototype builds, engineering validation builds, manufacturing-readiness activities, and production ramp.
• Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for testability (DFT) feedback into the product-development process.
• Establish and maintain standardized program reporting, clearly communicating progress, accomplishments, decisions, issues, and risks to cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
• Identify technical, operational, and schedule risks early and proactively drive mitigation plans and corrective actions to closure.
• Structure meetings around the critical decisions needed to eliminate bottlenecks, resolve dependencies, and minimize program risk.
• Support key business and technical decisions by collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, finance, and strategy.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hardware Technical Program Management, Engineering Program Management, or hardware New Product Introduction (NPI) program management experience.
• Demonstrated end-to-end ownership of physical hardware products or systems from concept and architecture through EVT, DVT, PVT, and production ramp.
• Experience managing the development of an integrated hardware system or subsystem rather than only an isolated component or individual workstream.
• Strong preference for candidates with end-to-end development experience in the automotive or complex consumer electronics industries.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline-or equivalent professional experience-combined with a strong hardware foundation.
• Direct experience working with external contract manufacturers to plan and execute prototype builds, engineering validation builds, manufacturing-readiness activities, and production ramp.
• Working knowledge of DFM, DFT, engineering-build readiness, and hardware manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional programs involving hardware, software, firmware, functional safety, systems engineering, procurement, and manufacturing.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to report program status, technical dependencies, decisions, and risks clearly and concisely to engineers and senior leaders.
• Proficiency with tools used to manage complex programs, such as program management software, integrated schedules, risk registers, and program dashboards.
• Ability to operate effectively through rapid development cycles while remaining flexible, organized, and calm in the face of uncertainty.
• Self-motivated and proactive problem-solver with a demonstrated ability to influence without formal authority.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Direct ownership of two or more complete development cycles for integrated systems involving hardware, firmware, and software.
• End-to-end program management experience with automotive electronics, embedded computing, sensors, robotics, or autonomous vehicle hardware.
• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Technical Program Management experience supporting mass production and post-mass-production sustaining programs.
• Experience working in a fast-paced research and development or startup environment.
• Strong references highlighting the ability to build productive working relationships with senior leaders, engineers, manufacturers, and cross-functional partners.

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.