Technical Program Manager, Autonomy

Didi Labs; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

DiDi Autonomous Driving in Silicon Valley is seeking a Technical Program Manager (TPM) to accelerate software delivery for our autonomous driving stack. You will partner with engineering and operations to plan milestones, track progress, and ensure on-time releases for complex cross‑functional programs.

The role emphasizes structured processes, clear ownership, and proactive risk management, with a collaborative team across software, hardware, and product.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in CS/EE/Systems/Automotive or related technical discipline.
• 1–3 years hands-on experience in engineering, project management, or TPM roles.
• Familiarity with modern software dev lifecycles or automotive development processes.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects and communicating with technical leaders.
• Experience supporting Agile software development teams.

Responsibilities

• Milestone planning: break down strategies into deliverables with owners and timelines.
• Progress tracking: maintain objectives and schedules; ensure teams know what to deliver.
• Release logistics: manage daily software releases and cross‑team communication.
• Process & meetings: define development processes; drive agendas to remove bottlenecks.
• Reporting & action: track progress and escalate issues when schedules drift.

Skills

Communication

Cross-functional coordination

Agile development

Analytical skills

Project tracking

Education

B.S./M.S. in Computer Science / Electrical Engineering / Systems Engineering / Automotive Engineering

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Job description

DiDi's autonomous driving unit was established in 2016 with the mission of developing Level 4 autonomous driving (AD) technology to make transportation safer and more efficient. In August 2019, the unit became an independent company, DiDi Autonomous Driving, dedicated to advanced AD R&D, product application, and business expansion. We believe integrating AD technology into a shared-mobility fleet will generate immense social value. By leveraging DiDi's specialized technology, operational expertise, and integrated ecosystem, we are positioned to build and operate a highly efficient, user-oriented autonomous fleet.

About The Role

We are seeking a dedicated Technical Program Manager (TPM) to help us accelerate and optimize our software development processes and manage project schedules, resources, and deliverables. In this role, you will work closely with cross-functional teams to drill down our roadmap and facilitate effective execution at each stage of our growth curve. You will partner with engineering and operations teams to track project deliverables, identify milestones, flag risks early, and clearly communicate on‑going progress to ensure our autonomous vehicles navigate the path to production smoothly.

Responsibilities

Milestone Planning: Work with team leaders to break down high‑level strategies and project goals into detailed deliverables, clear owners, and realistic timelines.

Progress Tracking: Maintain project objectives and schedules by diligently tracking work progress, ensuring every project working team understands what they need to deliver at all times.

Release Logistics: Help manage daily software releases, logistics, workflow documentation, and cross‑team communication.

Process & Meetings: Define and manage development processes and regular syncs; set the agenda for key decisions to be made at each meeting to eliminate bottlenecks and retire risks early.

Reporting & Action: Track and report on overall project progress, proactively driving corrective actions and escalating issues as needed when schedules or scopes drift.

Qualifications

B.S. or M.S. degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

1–3 years of hands‑on experience in engineering, project management, or technical program management.

Deep familiarity with modern software development lifecycles or automotive development processes.

Strong track record or demonstrated ability in coordinating and supporting complex cross‑functional projects.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to build strong working relationships with technical leaders and engineers across different functional teams.

Strong analytical capability to identify and act on opportunities to improve processes, resolve inefficiencies, and increase overall team productivity.

Practical experience working within or supporting Agile software development teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with or strong interest in autonomous driving, robotics, or advanced driver‑assist systems.

Experience using modern project management and tracking tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence).

Prior internship or work experience in a technical role (e.g., software engineering, testing, or systems engineering) before transitioning to project management.

The base salary range for the Technical Program Manager position is $115,000–$165,000 annually, in addition to bonus, equity, and benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by the role, level, and location. Within the range, individual compensation is based on the work location as well as other factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education and training.

I acknowledge that prior to submitting this application, I have read and accepted the Privacy Notice for California Residents which is available on https://v.didi.cn/AQnxlBa