Sr. Technical Program Manager

Socket.dev; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 121,500 - 151,900; Full time

Job summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies seeks a seasoned Technical Program Manager to lead the integration of hardware and software across the development life cycle. You will coordinate between RVT and VW Group Brand program teams to drive end-to-end initiatives.

The role requires 6+ years in technical program management and a strong background in systems engineering, hardware/software lifecycles, and risk management.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in technical/program management.
• 6+ years of technical or engineering program management experience.
• Experience with Systems Engineering principles.
• Experience with Hardware and/or Software Development Lifecycle.
• Experience with Test and Validation.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
• Expert in agile and waterfall development process using Jira and other PM tools.
• Understanding of hardware/software bring-up of distributed systems and managing dependencies.
• Proven track record with software development project planning, progress tracking and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end integration of hardware and software across the development life cycle.
• Manage cross-functional software programs across RVT and VW Group.
• Create and maintain technical schedules, priorities, and execution plans for multiple programs.
• Drive cross-functional software programs across internal teams and partners.
• Influence engineering, product, and technical partners to achieve goals.
• Identify, communicate, and mitigate dependencies and risks.
• Ensure designs are feasible, scalable, and quality-focused.
• Provide leadership to unblock obstacles and prioritize work.
• Provide progress updates to program team and executives.
• Escalate issues before they derail deliverables.
• Drive continuous process improvements.

Skills

Technical Program Management

Systems Engineering

Software/Hardware lifecycle

Test and validation

Communication

Agile and Waterfall

Jira

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS or MS in Computer Science/Engineering

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

Help us bring to life the next generation of vehicles by taking a leading role in managing the integration of Hardware and Software through the Development Life Cycle. As part of the Technical Program Management Team, you will be responsible for driving end‑to‑end initiatives that are part of the critical program delivery. You will lead as a key point between RVT and VW Group Brand program management teams.

Responsibilities

• Support our feature champion and feature partner structure to enable them to deliver across RVT and Volkswagen group
• Plan, create and maintain technical schedules, priorities, and execution plans for multiple software product development programs crossing organizational boundaries
• Drive broad/deep cross‑functional software programs internally and across partners
• Collaborate with and influence engineering, product and technical partners, including leadership and development teams, to achieve business and technical goals.
• Expertly manage stakeholder expectations, actively identifying, communicating, and mitigating dependencies and risks
• Ensure technical designs are properly evaluated for feasibility, scalability, and quality
• Provide strong leadership to unblock obstacles and rigorously prioritize
• Providing the program team and executive management progress updates
• Conducting healthy escalations in advance of a deliverable going out of bounds
• Identifying and executing continuous process improvements

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS or MS in Computer Science or Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or other related technical fields with 5+ years relevant experience
• 6+ years of Technical or Engineering Program Management experience
• Experience with Systems Engineering principles
• Experience with Hardware and/or Software Development Lifecycle
• Experience with Test and Validation
• Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration skills
• Expert in agile and waterfall development process using Jira and other program management tools
• Understanding of hardware/software bring‑up of distributed systems, managing project dependencies, and negotiating parallel activities to optimize project execution
• Proven track record with software development project planning, progress tracking, and risk management

Total Rewards

Total compensation packages for full‑time positions include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.

In addition, our benefits package has been designed to support the health and wellness of our employees. Benefit offerings include Flex Time Off, retirement savings plans as well as medical, vision and dental coverage. For more information on RV Tech’s comprehensive benefits package for full‑time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site.

External candidates can apply for this role through the RV Tech 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 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 tracking interactions with our recruiting system; carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; record keeping; ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with 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) for which you are applying; Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and 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.

We may use a mobile telephone 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.

Compensation

121.5K – 151.9K 132.5K – 151.9K Equity Offers Bonus

The posted salary represents the lowest and highest ranges RV Tech reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position. Any posted salary range pertains only to the estimated starting pay for the role. Actual starting pay is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, skillset, qualifications, specific competencies, relevant education, and location.