Technical Program Manager, Autonomy

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

Job summary

DiDi's autonomous driving unit seeks a dedicated Technical Program Manager to accelerate and optimize software development, manage schedules, resources, and deliverables. You will partner with engineering and operations teams to drill down our roadmap and ensure timely execution across growth stages.

You will track milestones, flag risks early, and clearly communicate ongoing progress to keep autonomous vehicles advancing toward production smoothly.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. degree in a technical discipline (CS, EE, Systems, Automotive) required.
• 1–3 years of hands-on experience in engineering or program management.
• Familiarity with software development lifecycles or automotive development processes.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects.
• Excellent communication across technical teams.
• Experience with Agile software development.

Responsibilities

• Plan milestones by breaking down strategies into detailed deliverables.
• Track progress and ensure clear ownership and timelines.
• Coordinate daily software releases and cross-team communication.
• Define development processes and run regular syncs.
• Monitor progress and escalate issues when schedules drift.

Skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional coordination

Analytical thinking

Agile software development

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. or M.S. in CS / EE / Systems / Automotive Eng

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Job description

About The Company

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 Company

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‑assistance 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