Senior Technical Program Manager - Milestone Execution

DeWinter BH; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

DeWinter Group in Foster City, CA is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead cross-functional milestones for mobility solutions, from strategy through delivery. You will partner with vehicle development, software, hardware, manufacturing, and operations to drive milestone execution.

The role requires strong program leadership and the ability to translate complex technical work into clear actions, with a focus on launches, validation, testing and readiness. Onsite, 6-month assignment.

Qualifications

• Lead execution of major milestones with test strategy and feature lock activities.
• Define KPIs and milestone metrics aligned to business goals.
• Drive stakeholder alignment and executive buy-in on metrics and decisions.
• Communicate program status, risks, issues and dependencies clearly.
• Present to engineering management, leadership, and executives.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, systems engineering, manufacturing and operations.
• Apply PM tools like Gantt charts, risk matrices, and Smartsheet.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional programs from strategy through delivery.
• Translate complexity into clear actions and measurable outcomes.
• Influence stakeholders and maintain escalation-ready communication.
• Ensure readiness for product launches, validation and testing.
• Resolve release blockers with multi-team coordination.

Skills

Milestone execution

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Cross-functional leadership

Risk assessment

Project estimation

Decision making

Problem solving

Education

BS/MS in engineering

Equivalent engineering experience

Tools

JIRA

Smartsheet

Gantt charts

Job description

Senior Technical Program Manager - Milestone Execution

Overview

Lead complex, cross-functional product and service milestones that advance the development and launch of innovative mobility solutions. As a Senior Technical Program Manager, you will partner with leaders across vehicle development, systems engineering, software, manufacturing, fleet operations, and business functions to drive milestone execution from strategy through delivery.

You will translate technical and organizational complexity into clear actions, measurable outcomes, timely decisions, and effective execution. This role is ideal for a collaborative program leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, can influence stakeholders across disciplines, and brings strong judgment to product launches, validation, testing, and operational readiness.

Required Skills

• Lead execution of major product or service milestones, including milestone test strategy and feature lock activities.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestone success metrics that align progress with business goals.
• Drive stakeholder alignment and executive buy-in on success metrics and program decisions.
• Provide concise, effective communications regarding program status, accomplishments, risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Present information to functional engineering management, engineering leadership, and executive leadership.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, systems engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to resolve issues and remove release blockers.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of one or more of the following:
• Vehicle platforms
• Software development lifecycles
• Safety clearance processes
• Test operations
• Manage complex, cross-functional programs involving multiple technical and operational teams.
• Apply project management tools and processes, including Gantt charts, risk matrices, Smartsheet, JIRA, or comparable solutions.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving, negotiation, influencing, and escalation-management abilities.
• Communicate complex technical and program information clearly and concisely at the senior executive level.
• Hold a BS or MS degree in an engineering discipline, or possess equivalent engineering experience in lieu of an engineering degree.
• Have at least 8 years of experience in engineering or program management, with a focus on product launches, validation, and/or testing.
• Have a proven track record managing complex cross-functional projects.
• Bring experience with automotive or aerospace processes, test platforms, simulation, autonomous vehicles, or verification and validation disciplines.

Nice to Have Skills

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
• Experience with autonomous vehicles, test platforms, simulation, or automotive or aerospace processes.
• Experience developing and scaling program strategies, processes, plans, procedures, and reporting.
• Experience managing escalations and coordinating resolution of high-priority, cross-functional issues.
• Experience working in a program management office supporting complex organizational decisions and major corporate milestones.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering preferred; equivalent engineering experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Eight or more years of experience in engineering or technical program management.
• Professional experience focused on product launches, validation, testing, milestone execution, or related technical program delivery.
• Demonstrated success coordinating initiatives across engineering, software, hardware, systems, manufacturing, and operations teams.

Other Requirements

• Work arrangement: Onsite.
• Location: Foster City, CA.
• Employment type: W2 only.
• Assignment duration: Approximately 6 months.
• Start: ASAP.