Sr. Staff Technical Program Manager

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

Equity

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies seeks a highly experienced Technical Program Manager to lead software delivery for new vehicle launches, coordinating software features with hardware across consumer and commercial vehicles.

You will drive cross‑functional collaboration, manage verification plans, mentor TPMs, and ensure delivery on schedule using Agile and Waterfall methodologies with Jira and PM tools.

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 with a strong track record in software delivery for complex, integrated software–hardware products at scale.
• Expertise in spearheading the strategic development and successful production launch of new products, especially those with intricate interdependencies between software and electrical hardware systems.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and influencing skills, with a proven ability to 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 define and implement best practices.

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.
• Build strong relationships across all levels of the organization, fostering deep collaboration to ensure seamless software integration and successful launch of new vehicle variants.
• Prioritize and resolve 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.
• Identify and mitigate systemic risks to software delivery timelines or quality, implementing effective mitigation strategies and escalating concerns as needed.
• 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.

Skills

Technical Program Management

Cross-functional leadership

Software delivery

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Education

BS or MS in Computer Science / Electrical Engineering

Tools

Jira

Job description

Role Summary

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. Will lead the software delivery for new vehicle launches, overseeing the seamless integration of new features and 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.
• Build strong relationships across all levels of the organization, fostering deep collaboration to ensure seamless software integration and successful launch of new vehicle variants.
• Prioritize and resolve 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.
• Identify and mitigate systemic risks to software delivery timelines or quality, implementing effective mitigation strategies and escalating concerns as needed.
• 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.

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 with a strong track record in software delivery for complex, integrated software‑hardware products at scale.
• Expertise in spearheading the strategic development and successful production launch of new products, especially those with intricate interdependencies between software and electrical hardware systems.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and influencing skills, with a proven ability to 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 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.

Benefits

Full‑time positions include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity. Additional benefits are tailored to the local market and can be reviewed on the Global Benefits Site.

EEO Statement

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 that requires accommodations, please email us at [e-mail].