Technical Program Manage

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

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidized health

Vision

Dental plans

Paid sick leave

Retirement plans with a match

Free online training through AquentGym

Job summary

Aquent Talent seeks an experienced Hardware Program Manager in Foster City, CA to lead next-generation autonomous hardware programs from concept through EVT/DVT/PVT to production ramp. You will drive roadmaps, align hardware, software, firmware, and manufacturing teams, and manage external partners for prototype builds.

The role requires strong communication, proactive risk management, and hands-on governance to deliver complex hardware projects on time and within scope.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hardware TPM/engineering program management experience.
• Experience taking hardware from concept through EVT/DVT/PVT to production ramp.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with hardware, software, firmware, and manufacturing teams.
• BS degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering (or related).

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end hardware development programs from concept through production ramp.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate strategy into detailed roadmaps and deliverables.
• Coordinate with external contract manufacturers for prototype and production builds, DFM/DFT feedback.
• Maintain program reports and communicate progress, risks, and milestones to leadership.
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation actions with engineering teams and manufacturers.
• Prepare clear agendas for meetings to eliminate bottlenecks and support critical decisions.

Skills

Hardware Program Management

Cross-functional leadership

End-to-end hardware development

Communication skills

JIRA

Gantt charts

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

JIRA

MS Excel

Gantt charts

Job description

Aquent, a leading talent solutions partner, is thrilled to connect exceptional talent with groundbreaking opportunities. Our client, a visionary leader in autonomous vehicle technology, is revolutionizing transportation by developing cutting-edge hardware for their next-generation self-driving vehicles. Their Advanced Hardware Engineering team is at the forefront, delivering all the critical autonomous hardware, electronic control units, and electrical components that power their innovative fleet. If you’re ready to make a tangible impact on the future of mobility, this is your chance to join a team that moves fast, embraces challenges, and scales impact through structured innovation.

About the Role

Are you a seasoned program leader with a passion for hardware innovation and a knack for orchestrating complex projects? We are seeking a dynamic individual to spearhead new product development programs for groundbreaking hardware. In this pivotal role, you will guide systems from initial concept through all phases of engineering validation (EVT/DVT/PVT) and into full production ramp. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of autonomous mobility, driving innovation, and directly influencing product delivery by working seamlessly across internal teams and external manufacturing partners. If you thrive on solving challenging problems, influencing without formal authority, and expertly navigating dependencies, you will find immense satisfaction and growth here.

What You’ll Do

• Own end-to-end program management for next-generation hardware development programs, from concept and architecture through EVT/DVT/PVT builds and into production ramp.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate corporate strategy and milestones into detailed product roadmaps, timelines, and deliverables.
• Work closely with hardware, software, firmware, functional safety, system, procurement, and vehicle development teams to align priorities, dependencies, and deliverables, ensuring clarity across all contributors.
• Partner closely with external contract manufacturers to plan and execute prototype and engineering builds, integrate design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for testability (DFT) feedback, and prepare programs for production ramp.
• Establish and maintain standard reports, regularly communicating program progress, status, issues/risks, and accomplishments to cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Ensure transparency of problems, identify risks early, and proactively drive risk-mitigation actions to closure with relevant engineering teams and manufacturers.
• Set clear agendas for key decisions in meetings to eliminate bottlenecks and minimize risks.
• Support critical decisions by collaborating across engineering, finance, and strategy to achieve optimal outcomes.

Qualifications We’re Looking For

• 6+ years of hardware Technical Program Management or Engineering Program Management experience, with demonstrated end-to-end hardware development experience taking products from concept through EVT/DVT/PVT to production ramp.
• Strong preference for candidates with end-to-end development experience in the automotive industry or consumer electronics at the systems or sub-system level.
• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline (or equivalent experience), with a strong hardware background.
• Prior experience working with outside contract manufacturers through development builds and production ramp.
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with cross-functional teams spanning hardware, software, firmware, functional safety, and systems engineering.
• Strong communication skills, with a proven ability to report program progress and risk clearly and concisely to cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Proficient in tools required to manage complex programs (e.g., JIRA, Gantt charts).
• Understands and deals well with rapid development cycles; remains flexible and calm in the face of uncertainty.
• Self-motivated and proactive problem-solver.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Directly managed 2+ full program development cycles for a system with hardware and software integration involved.
• MS degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Program management experience on production programs during mass production and post-mass production sustaining phases.
• Strong references that highlight your ability to build robust working relationships with senior leaders and engineers across functions and departments.

About Aquent Talent

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

• subsidized health
• vision
• dental plans
• paid sick leave
• retirement plans with a match
• free online training through Aquent Gymnasium

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.