Sr. Staff Technical Program Manager

Rivian VW Group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is seeking an experienced Technical Program Manager to lead software delivery for new vehicle launches in a highly integrated software‑hardware environment. You will drive plans, coordinate cross‑functional teams, and ensure quality across software and hardware features.

The role requires a strong background in engineering program management, Agile and Waterfall methods, and excellent communication at all levels.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• 10+ years of progressive Technical or Engineering Program Management experience delivering software for complex integrated products.
• Proven expertise launching new products with software/hardware interdependencies.
• Exceptional communication and ability to influence diverse cross‑functional teams and leaders.
• Strong mastery of Agile and Waterfall, with Jira and PM tools.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive plans for software‑impacting hardware changes and new software features.
• Influence milestones to align with software schedules.
• Lead software‑hardware integration and cross‑domain coordination.
• Foster collaboration across the organization to ensure successful vehicle variant launches.
• Prioritize and resolve software issues during development.
• Manage verification test plans for new product variants.
• Provide updates on software delivery to teams and leadership.
• Identify and mitigate risks to timelines and quality.
• Lead continuous process improvements in software and program management.
• Mentor other Technical Program Managers.

Skills

Technical Program Management

Software delivery

Cross-functional leadership

Agile methodologies

Waterfall methodologies

Jira

Education

BS/MS in CS or EE

Tools

Jira

Job description

About Us

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software‑defined vehicles around the world.

The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.

Role Summary

Are you a highly experienced Technical Program Manager with a proven track record of successfully delivering high-quality software for evolving product platforms in complex, integrated software‑hardware environments? We are seeking a dynamic and results‑oriented individual to take a leading role in managing the software delivery for new vehicle launches. As a critical member of our Software Technical Program Team, you will be instrumental in launching new vehicle variants and ensuring the seamless integration of new features, while upholding the highest standards of software quality.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive comprehensive plans for software‑impacting hardware changes and new software features, for both consumer and commercial vehicles

• Influence company and program milestones to align with software schedules

• Drive software‑hardware integration efforts, acting as a principal liaison and problem‑solver for the most challenging cross‑domain dependencies

• Cultivate strong working relationships across all levels of the organization and foster deep collaboration to ensure seamless software integration and the successful launch of new vehicle variants

• Take ownership of prioritizing and driving the swift resolution of software issues that arise during development

• Manage verification test plans tailored to the unique software and hardware configurations of new product variants

• Deliver clear, concise, and insightful updates on the progress of software delivery to the program team, executive leadership, and key stakeholders

• Proactively identify and strategically mitigate systemic risks to software delivery timelines or quality, implementing effective mitigation strategies and healthily escalating concerns as needed

• Initiate, champion, and lead significant continuous process improvements within the software development lifecycle and program management frameworks

• Mentor and provide technical guidance to other Technical Program Managers, fostering best practices and contributing to the growth and development of the program management function

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field

• 10+ years of progressive Technical or Engineering Program Management experience, demonstrating a strong and successful track record in software delivery for complex, integrated software‑hardware products at scale

• Proven expertise in spearheading the strategic development and successful production launch of new products, particularly those with intricate interdependencies between software and electrical hardware systems

• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and influencing skills, with a proven ability to effectively lead, align, and motivate diverse cross‑functional teams and senior stakeholders in highly dynamic and ambiguous environments

• Deep, practical mastery of both Agile and Waterfall development methodologies, with advanced proficiency in Jira and other program management tools to manage complex software delivery, and to define and implement best practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a software or hardware product development engineer

• Experience with over‑the‑air (OTA) software update strategies and deployment for connected devices or systems

• Experience in the automotive industry

Total Rewards

Full‑time positions include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.

In addition to base salary, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies offers benefits tailored to the local market. For more information on the benefits available for full‑time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site.

External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site https://rivianvw.tech/#careers. If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at [e-mail].

Candidate Data Privacy

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies” may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) record keeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.

If you provide a mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use that number to contact you via SMS text message for recruitment‑related purposes, including scheduling, logistics, and status updates. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of applying for or being considered for employment.

Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.

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Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.