Technical Program Manager, Hardware Modules

Waymo LLC; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 159,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

Waymo LLC is seeking a Technical Program Manager to own end-to-end program management for next-gen lidar and sensing modules, from concept through EVT and PVT, collaborating across hardware, software, and operations teams.

You will build bottoms-up schedules, manage long-lead items, drive design reviews, and maintain the program risk register, while coordinating with suppliers and contract manufacturers to deliver on-time, aligned with Waymo's ambitious deployment plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Optical, Systems or related engineering.
• 4+ years of technical program or project management delivering hardware modules.
• Experience taking at least one hardware module through Proto/EVT → DVT → PVT with design reviews, DFMEA, DV testing.
• Experience managing suppliers and contract manufacturers with SOWs and build coordination.
• Proficiency with Jira, Buganizer or Smartsheet for scheduling and tracking.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end program management for next-gen lidar and sensing hardware from concept through EVT/PVT and handover to operations.
• Build detailed, bottoms-up schedules with cross-functional dependencies and long-lead items; drive recovery when off track.
• Own prototype build plan and build readiness; publish build reports and drive issues to closure.
• Drive design releases and phase-gate reviews with engineering, reliability, DV, and vehicle integration teams.
• Manage supplier and contract manufacturer relationships; track SOWs, build schedules, and open issues.
• Maintain the program risk register and communicate status, risks, and decisions to stakeholders.

Skills

Cross-functional planning

Risk management

Scheduling

Communication

Jira

Buganizer

Smartsheet

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Optical/Systems engineering

Tools

Jira

Buganizer

Smartsheet

Job description

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver—The World's Most Experienced Driver™—to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.

Waymo’s Technical Program Managers and Program Managers are accountable for Waymo’s roadmap execution by providing thoughtful cross-functional planning, clarity, and proactive risk management. In the face of complex technical and operational challenges with no established playbooks to follow, we act with thoughtful urgency, driving conversations, discussions, and outcomes. Our team partners closely with every function of Waymo to structure, own and drive work towards real-world deployments of the Waymo Driver across platforms and geographies.

This role follows a hybrid work schedule and reports to the Technical Program Manager, Hardware.

You will:

• Own end-to-end program management for next gen lidar and other sensing and compute modules (e.g., cameras, telematics) from concept through Proto, EVT, DVT, PVT and handover to operations
• Build and drive detailed, bottoms-up schedules with cross-functional dependencies and long-lead items; identify when work is off track and drive recovery plans
• Own the prototype build plan and build readiness (materials, line and test readiness, quality), publish build reports, and drive issues to closure
• Drive design releases, design reviews (EE/ME/FW, DFM/DFA, DFMEA/PFMEA, EMC, SI/PI, thermal) and phase-gate reviews with Engineering, Reliability, DV, Systems and Vehicle Integration teams
• Manage technical relationships with suppliers and contract manufacturers in partnership with Global Supply Management: SOWs, build schedules, open-issue lists and supplier performance
• Own the program risk register and communicate status, risks and decisions clearly to stakeholders and leadership through weekly updates and program reviews

You have:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Optical, Systems or a related engineering field, or equivalent practical experience
• 4+ years of technical program or project management experience delivering hardware modules (sensors, cameras, electronics or electro-mechanical products)
• Experience taking at least one hardware module through a structured product development process (Proto/EVT → DVT → PVT), with working knowledge of design reviews, DFM/DFA, DFMEA, design verification (DV) and reliability testing
• Experience managing suppliers and contract manufacturers, including SOWs, build coordination and open-issue tracking
• Demonstrated ability to build and own complex schedules, manage risks and drive cross-functional issues to closure using tools such as Jira, Buganizer or Smartsheet
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to concisely summarize technical status and risks for engineers and leadership

We prefer:

• Experience with lidar, camera, radar or other perception sensor modules, including optical/opto-mechanical assembly and calibration
• Experience with automotive Tier 1 or OEM product development and quality processes (APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, DVP&R)
• Hands-on experience designing, building and testing a complete vehicle or robotic system as part of a small multidisciplinary team
• Experience with configuration and change management (CCB) and tracking prototype, engineering-vehicle and production configurations
• Familiarity with costed BOM management, PO tracking and material readiness planning with supply chain teams
• Experience organizing design validation across internal teams and suppliers (e.g., DVP dashboards) and aligning hardware milestones with software/perception vehicle-level testing

The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process.

Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.

Salary Range
$159,000—$196,000 USD