Senior Technical Program Manager – Hardware NPI [AQ-18365]

Aquent; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidized health, vision, and dental

Paid sick leave

Retirement plans with company match

Free online training via Aquent Gymnas

Job summary

Aquent Talent partners with a pioneering autonomous-vehicles company to recruit a visionary Advanced Hardware Program Manager. Lead end-to-end hardware programs from concept through EVT/DVT/PVT and mass production, coordinating HW, SW, firmware, and supply chain across multiple teams.

You will collaborate with external contract manufacturers, define roadmaps, manage risks, and communicate progress to leadership in a fast-paced environment. This role is based in the Bay Area.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hardware TPM/Engineering PM experience from concept through EVT/DVT/PVT to production ramp.
• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline with strong hardware background.
• Experience working with outside contract manufacturers throughout development and ramp.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams spanning hardware, software, firmware, functional safety, and systems engineering.
• Strong communication to report program progress and risks clearly to leadership.
• Proficiency in tools to manage complex programs (e.g., JIRA, Gantt charts).
• Ability to navigate rapid development cycles with flexibility and composure.
• Self-motivated problem-solver with ability to influence without formal authority across diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end hardware development programs from concept to production ramp.
• Translate corporate strategy into detailed roadmaps, timelines, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with HW, SW, FW, Functional Safety, System, Procurement, and Vehicle Development teams to align priorities and deliverables.
• Partner with outside contract manufacturers to plan builds, implement DFM/DFT feedback, and prepare for ramp.
• Establish and maintain standard reporting mechanisms, communicating progress, risks, and accomplishments to teams and leadership.
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation actions in collaboration with engineering teams and CMs.
• Facilitate efficient decision-making by setting agendas for key meetings to reduce bottlenecks.
• Support cross-functional decisions with engineering, finance, and strategy for optimal outcomes.

Skills

Hardware TPM

Cross-functional collaboration

JIRA

Gantt charts

Communication skills

Education

BS in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering

MS in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

JIRA

Gantt charts

Job description

Aquent is proudly partnering with a pioneering company at the forefront of autonomous technology, revolutionizing transportation with innovative self-driving vehicles. This organization is dedicated to developing the advanced hardware, electronic control units, and electrical components that power the future of mobility, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a rapidly evolving industry.

Are you ready to make a monumental impact on the future of transportation? We are seeking a visionary leader to join a dynamic Advanced Hardware Engineering team, where you will drive the development of cutting‑edge hardware for next-generation autonomous mobility solutions. This is an unparalleled opportunity to shape the very foundation of future self‑driving fleets, leading programs from initial concept through to mass production. Your expertise will be critical in collaborating with diverse engineering disciplines and partnering with external manufacturers to bring revolutionary products to market. If you thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment and are adept at orchestrating complex projects with numerous dependencies, this role offers the chance to scale your impact and contribute to a transformative mission.

What You’ll Do

• Own end-to-end program management for next-generation hardware development programs for autonomous vehicles, guiding them from concept and architecture through EVT/DVT/PVT builds and into production ramp.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate overarching corporate strategy and milestones into detailed product roadmaps, timelines, and deliverables.
• Work closely with diverse internal teams—including Hardware (HW), Software (SW), Firmware (FW), Functional Safety, System, Procurement, and Vehicle Development—to align priorities, manage dependencies, and ensure clear understanding of deliverables across all stakeholders.
• Partner strategically with outside contract manufacturers (CMs) to plan and execute prototype and engineering builds, integrate Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Testability (DFT) feedback into designs, and prepare programs for successful production ramp.
• Establish and maintain standard reporting mechanisms, regularly communicating program progress, status, identified issues/risks, and accomplishments to cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Ensure full transparency on problems, proactively identify risks early, and drive risk-mitigation actions to closure in collaboration with relevant engineering teams and CMs.
• Facilitate efficient decision-making by setting clear agendas for key meetings, thereby eliminating bottlenecks and minimizing program risks.
• Support critical cross-functional decisions by collaborating across engineering, finance, and strategy to achieve optimal outcomes.

Must-Have Qualifications

• 6+ years of hardware Technical Program Management or Engineering Program Management experience, with demonstrated end-to-end hardware development experience taking products from concept through EVT/DVT/PVT to production ramp.
• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline (or equivalent experience), coupled with a strong hardware background.
• Prior experience working with outside contract manufacturers (CMs) throughout development builds and production ramp.
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with cross-functional teams spanning hardware, software, firmware, functional safety, and systems engineering.
• Strong communication skills, with a proven ability to report program progress and risks clearly and concisely to cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Proficiency in tools required to manage complex programs (e.g., JIRA, Gantt charts).
• A proven ability to navigate rapid development cycles, maintaining flexibility and composure in the face of uncertainty.
• Self-motivated and proactive problem-solver with a knack for influencing without formal authority and effectively “herding cats” across diverse teams.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Directly managed 2+ full program development cycles for a system involving both hardware and software integration.
• MS degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• TPM experience on production programs during mass production (MP) and post-MP sustaining phases.
• Strong references highlighting your ability to build robust working relationships with senior leaders and engineers across various functions and departments.

About Aquent Talent

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

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.