Technical Program Manager (212658)

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

Job summary

Aquent is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager – Hardware NPI to lead complex hardware development programs from concept through EVT, DVT, PVT, and into production ramp. This hardware-focused role requires coordinating across hardware, software, firmware, functional safety, systems engineering, procurement and manufacturing teams.

You will own integrated schedules, milestones, risks and executive-level reporting while partnering with external contract manufacturers on prototype builds,

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hardware TPM or hardware NPI program management experience.
• End-to-end ownership of physical hardware from concept to production ramp.
• Experience with automotive or complex consumer electronics development.
• Bachelor's in Electrical/Mechanical engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end hardware development programs from concept to production ramp.
• Develop integrated schedules, milestones, dependencies, and risks.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, safety, systems, procurement, and manufacturing.
• Drive DFM/DFT feedback into product development.
• Maintain program reporting and communicate progress to leadership.

Skills

Hardware TPM

End-to-end ownership

Strong communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Jira

Gantt charts

Program dashboards

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 its next generation of self-driving vehicles. The Advanced Hardware Engineering team delivers the autonomous hardware, electronic control units, and electrical components that power this innovative fleet. If you are ready to make a tangible impact on the future of mobility, this is your opportunity to join a fast-moving team solving complex engineering challenges and scaling its impact through structured innovation.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Technical Program Manager – Hardware NPI to lead complex hardware development programs from initial concept and architecture through engineering validation—including EVT, DVT, and PVT—and into production ramp.

This is a hardware-focused program management role requiring direct experience leading physical products through development builds, manufacturing readiness, and production—not a software-only Technical Program Manager position. You will own integrated schedules, milestones, dependencies, build readiness, risks, and executive-level reporting while partnering closely with internal engineering teams and external contract manufacturers.

The ideal candidate has led the development of integrated hardware systems or subsystems within the automotive, autonomous vehicle, robotics, or complex consumer electronics industries. If you excel at influencing without formal authority, navigating technical dependencies, and bringing structure to rapidly evolving programs, this role offers the opportunity to directly influence the delivery of next-generation mobility technology.

What You'll Do

• Own end-to-end program management for next-generation hardware development programs, from concept and architecture through EVT, DVT, and PVT builds and into production ramp.
• Develop and manage integrated program schedules, milestones, cross-functional dependencies, engineering-build readiness, risks, and deliverables.
• Translate corporate strategy and major program milestones into detailed product roadmaps, execution plans, timelines, and team-level deliverables.
• Work closely with hardware, software, firmware, functional safety, systems engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and vehicle development teams to align priorities, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Ensure that each contributing team clearly understands its responsibilities, deadlines, dependencies, and criteria for successful delivery.
• Partner directly with external contract manufacturers to plan and execute prototype builds, engineering validation builds, manufacturing-readiness activities, and production ramp.
• Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for testability (DFT) feedback into the product-development process.
• Establish and maintain standardized program reporting, clearly communicating progress, accomplishments, decisions, issues, and risks to cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
• Identify technical, operational, and schedule risks early and proactively drive mitigation plans and corrective actions to closure.
• Structure meetings around the critical decisions needed to eliminate bottlenecks, resolve dependencies, and minimize program risk.
• Support key business and technical decisions by collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, finance, and strategy.

Qualifications We're Looking For

• 6+ years of hardware Technical Program Management, Engineering Program Management, or hardware NPI program management experience.
• Demonstrated end-to-end ownership of physical hardware products or systems from concept and architecture through EVT, DVT, PVT, and production ramp.
• Experience managing the development of an integrated hardware system or subsystem rather than only an isolated component or individual workstream.
• Strong preference for candidates with end-to-end development experience in the automotive or complex consumer electronics industries.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline—or equivalent professional experience—combined with a strong hardware foundation.
• Direct experience working with external contract manufacturers to plan and execute prototype builds, engineering validation builds, manufacturing-readiness activities, and production ramp.
• Working knowledge of DFM, DFT, engineering-build readiness, and hardware manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional programs involving hardware, software, firmware, functional safety, systems engineering, procurement, and manufacturing.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to report program status, technical dependencies, decisions, and risks clearly and concisely to engineers and senior leaders.
• Proficiency with tools used to manage complex programs, such as Jira, Gantt charts, integrated schedules, risk registers, and program dashboards.
• Ability to operate effectively through rapid development cycles while remaining flexible, organized, and calm in the face of uncertainty.
• Self-motivated and proactive problem-solver with a demonstrated ability to influence without formal authority.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Direct ownership of two or more complete development cycles for integrated systems involving hardware, firmware, and software.
• End-to-end program management experience with automotive electronics, electronic control units, infotainment systems, embedded computing, sensors, robotics, or autonomous vehicle hardware.
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Technical Program Management experience supporting mass production and post-mass-production sustaining programs.
• Experience working in a fast-paced research and development or startup environment.
• Strong references highlighting the ability to build productive working relationships with senior leaders, engineers, manufacturers, and cross‑functional partners.