Technical Program Manager [AQ-18553]

Aquent; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent, partnering with a pioneering organization shaping the future of transportation through advanced software, infrastructure, connectivity, and AI-driven systems, seeks a seasoned Technical Program Manager to lead large-scale engineering initiatives.

You will align VP- and Director-level leaders, define program management frameworks, manage dependencies, and advocate for architectural considerations while leveraging AI tools to inform decisions and optimize delivery across multiple teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years leading multi-team software programs across the full SDLC.
• Strong technical grounding for architecture discussions and risk assessment.
• Proven ability to influence executives without formal authority.
• Experience applying AI tools to analysis, design, or code decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management for large-scale engineering initiatives.
• Collaborate with VP- and Director-level leaders to shape roadmaps and priorities.
• Define and improve program management frameworks and processes.
• Manage complex dependencies and delivery risks across teams and partners.

Skills

Program management

Executive communication

SDLC experience

AI tooling usage

Ambiguity navigation

Education

PMP

PgMP

Agile / Scrum

Tools

Kafka

Protobuf

AWS

API Gateway

mTLS

Job description

Aquent is partnering with a pioneering organization that is shaping the future of transportation through advanced software, infrastructure, connectivity, and AI-driven systems. This is an unparalleled opportunity to join a team that is redefining mobility, where your contributions will directly impact the development and deployment of cutting-edge autonomous technology.

What You Will Do

• Lead end-to-end program management for large-scale, multi-team engineering initiatives, from strategy and technical planning through execution and delivery.
• Partner closely with VP- and Director-level engineering and product leaders to influence roadmaps, resourcing decisions, sequencing, and organizational priorities.
• Define and continuously improve program management frameworks, processes, and best practices across the engineering organization.
• Drive alignment across complex dependencies involving multiple engineering teams, external partners, and competing priorities.
• Anticipate and proactively manage technical risks, escalations, trade-offs, and delivery challenges at both the program and portfolio level.
• Communicate clearly with executive audiences, translating technical complexity into business impact and strategic recommendations.
• Actively participate in architecture, system design, and technical scoping discussions, providing informed input on feasibility, sequencing, dependencies, and delivery risk.
• Leverage AI tools to support technical decision-making, program execution, and evaluation of design or code changes.

What You Bring

• 7+ years of experience in technical program management, with a strong track record of delivering complex, organization-wide engineering programs.
• Deep experience managing multi-team software programs across the full SDLC, including platform, infrastructure, distributed systems, or product initiatives.
• Strong technical foundation with the ability to engage credibly in architectural discussions, understand system design trade-offs, and assess technical risk.
• Exceptional communication and executive presence, with demonstrated success influencing without direct authority.
• Experience building, scaling, or improving program management processes, frameworks, and tooling.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, create clarity, and make sound decisions in fast-paced, technically complex environments.
• Experience using AI tools to support technical analysis, design evaluation, or code-related decision-making.
• Understanding of agentic AI models, AI agents, and chatbot-based systems, including experience supporting or executing programs involving these technologies.
• Technical knowledge across areas including:
  • Wireless Technologies: 4G/5G, Multi-WAN load balancing
  • Networking: UDP/TCP, NAT traversal, network security, mTLS
  • Data & Distributed Systems: Kafka / KafkaJS, Protobuf serialization
  • Cloud Infrastructure: AWS, API Gateway, and related cloud services

Stand Out With

• Experience within a software organization supporting infrastructure, platform, networking, connectivity, or product engineering.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure and distributed systems architecture.
• PMP, PgMP, Agile, or Scrum certification.
• Previous experience as a software engineer or in another hands-on technical role.
• Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and debugging skills.

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!

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.