Staff TPM: ML Ops & Perception for Humanoid Robotics

Perot Jain; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

Apptronik seeks a seasoned Staff Technical Program Manager to lead the first TPM in Sunnyvale, CA. This high-autonomy role spans ML ops, perception, and strategic partnerships, driving cross-functional programs and serving as the primary interface to a key AI partner.

You will stand up the Sunnyvale program, drive ML and perception execution, and shape how Apptronik collaborates with external AI teams. As a ground-floor hire, you’ll scale the PM function and influence the roadmap.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10+ years in technical program management or engineering management with cross-functional leadership in ML/AI and software.
• Preferred: robotics, autonomous systems, or embodied AI experience.
• Preferred: robot learning, manipulation/dexterous systems, modeling, or large-scale ML data/training programs.
• Preferred: edge AI inference platforms and embedded systems integration.

Responsibilities

• New Site Program Leadership: establish PM structure, cadences, and operating rhythms for the Sunnyvale site.
• MLOps Program Ownership: end-to-end ML infrastructure and ops programs including data pipelines, training/evaluation infrastructure, and model deployment tooling.
• Perception Program Leadership: manage perception team roadmaps, milestones, and integration into the robot stack.
• Strategic Partner Interface: serve as the main conduit to a key external AI partner; manage joint milestones and ensure alignment.
• Ownership: set strategic direction and drive execution across company goals and roadmap.
• Orchestration: coordinate with engineering leadership to align stakeholders and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Communication: provide clear program status, risks, decisions to executives and partners.
• Leadership & Mentorship: mentor junior TPMs and evolve PM practices and tooling.

Skills

MLOps program leadership

Perception systems

Partner management

Hands-on technical partnership

Ambiguity tolerance

System-level product development

Cross-disciplinary integration

New technology adoption

Program execution

Strategic thinking

Influence in constrained environments

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or Applied Physics

Job description

Apptronik seeks a seasoned Staff Technical Program Manager to lead the first TPM in Sunnyvale, CA. This high-autonomy role spans ML ops, perception, and strategic partnerships, driving cross-functional programs and serving as the primary interface to a key AI partner.

You will stand up the Sunnyvale program, drive ML and perception execution, and shape how Apptronik collaborates with external AI teams. As a ground-floor hire, you’ll scale the PM function and influence the roadmap.