Technical Program Manager, Hardware

Mind Robotics; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Mind Robotics in Palo Alto seeks a Technical Program Manager to lead hardware programs from architecture through production ramp, overseeing actuators, electronics, structures, and sensors.

You will coordinate across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software teams, manage schedules, risks, and supplier collaborations, and ensure DVT/PVT readiness and BOM accuracy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of technical program management for complex hardware products.
• Proven track record shipping products from concept to mass production.
• Ability to engage in mechanical, electrical, and firmware discussions.
• Experience with electromechanical systems with multiple interdependent subsystems.
• Familiarity with NPI processes including PPAP, DVT/PVT, and first-article inspections.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers and global suppliers.
• Strong ownership, urgency, and engineering curiosity.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Ownership: Lead the hardware development schedule from initial architecture and prototyping through validation, industrialization, and production ramp.
• Program Planning: Create and maintain comprehensive program plans, Gantt charts, and action trackers across all active hardware subsystems (actuators, electronics, structures, and sensors).
• Metric Tracking: Monitor and report on key program metrics—including cost, mass, reliability, and performance—against the schedule, while communicating status, blockers, and risks to leadership.
• Risk Mitigation: Identify and elevate technical and supply chain risks early, leading rapid reaction plans to keep programs on track.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Coordinate across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software teams to align design milestones, integration timelines, and test readiness.
• Supply Chain Collaboration: Partner with supply chain, supplier industrialization, and contract manufacturers to ensure parts and assemblies are delivered on time and to specification.
• Configuration Management: Drive rigorous design reviews, change control processes, and BOM accuracy across all subsystems to ensure documentation is efficient and precise.
• Validation & Testing: Support the planning and execution of DVT and PVT across all hardware subsystems.

Skills

Program management

Hardware systems

Cross-functional leadership

NPI processes

Manufacturing engagement

Ownership mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical/electrical) or equivalent

Job description

• End-to-End Ownership: Lead the hardware development schedule from initial architecture and prototyping through validation, industrialization, and production ramp.
• Program Planning: Create and maintain comprehensive program plans, Gantt charts, and action trackers across all active hardware subsystems (actuators, electronics, structures, and sensors).
• Metric Tracking: Monitor and report on key program metrics—including cost, mass, reliability, and performance—against the schedule, while communicating status, blockers, and risks to leadership.
• Risk Mitigation: Identify and elevate technical and supply chain risks early, leading rapid reaction plans to keep programs on track.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Coordinate across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software teams to align design milestones, integration timelines, and test readiness.
• Supply Chain Collaboration: Partner with supply chain, supplier industrialization, and contract manufacturers to ensure parts and assemblies are delivered on time and to specification.
• Configuration Management: Drive rigorous design reviews, change control processes, and BOM accuracy across all subsystems to ensure documentation is efficient and precise.
• Validation & Testing: Support the planning and execution of Design Validation Testing (DVT) and Production Validation Testing (PVT) across all hardware subsystems.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Ownership: Lead the hardware development schedule from initial architecture and prototyping through validation, industrialization, and production ramp.
• Program Planning: Create and maintain comprehensive program plans, Gantt charts, and action trackers across all active hardware subsystems (actuators, electronics, structures, and sensors).
• Metric Tracking: Monitor and report on key program metrics—including cost, mass, reliability, and performance—against the schedule, while communicating status, blockers, and risks to leadership.
• Risk Mitigation: Identify and elevate technical and supply chain risks early, leading rapid reaction plans to keep programs on track.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Coordinate across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software teams to align design milestones, integration timelines, and test readiness.
• Supply Chain Collaboration: Partner with supply chain, supplier industrialization, and contract manufacturers to ensure parts and assemblies are delivered on time and to specification.
• Configuration Management: Drive rigorous design reviews, change control processes, and BOM accuracy across all subsystems to ensure documentation is efficient and precise.
• Validation & Testing: Support the planning and execution of Design Validation Testing (DVT) and Production Validation Testing (PVT) across all hardware subsystems.

Qualifications

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, or a related field) or equivalent practical experience.
• Industry Experience: 5+ years of experience in technical program management for complex hardware products (e.g., robotics, consumer electronics, automotive, or aerospace).
• Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success in shipping physical products from initial concept through mass production.
• Technical Depth: Strong technical fundamentals with the ability to engage meaningfully in mechanical, electrical, and firmware design discussions without requiring translation.
• System Complexity: Experience managing programs involving electromechanical systems with multiple interdependent subsystems (motors, PCBAs, sensors, structural assemblies).
• NPI Mastery: Familiarity with New Product Introduction (NPI) processes, including tooling qualification, PPAP, DVT/PVT, and first-article inspections.
• Manufacturing Engagement: Experience working directly with contract manufacturers and global suppliers on industrialization and production readiness.
• Execution & Ownership: High sense of urgency, comfortable with ambiguity, and driven by an "engineering curiosity" to understand how the entire system works.