Technical Program Manager – Machine Learning

FieldAI; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Field AI in Irvine, CA is seeking a Technical Program Manager to lead large-scale robotics and autonomy programs from inception through deployment.

You'll coordinate across engineering, product, operations, and customer success, translating customer needs into plans and milestones, and guiding execution with cross-functional teams, including on-site deployments up to 30% travel.

Qualifications

• Must have experience leading complex technical programs in a fast-paced technology environment.
• Strong understanding of software, systems, or hardware engineering.
• Hands-on understanding of autonomy or self-driving software systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale robotics and autonomy programs from planning through deployment and handoff.
• Own execution across software, systems, hardware, data, and operations for customer engagements.
• Translate customer requirements into clear technical plans, milestones, and delivery timelines.
• Drive cross-functional execution across engineering, product, operations, support, and customer success.
• Oversee field deployments and surface issues for resolution by owners.
• Manage risks, dependencies, and tradeoffs to ensure positive customer outcomes.
• Communicate project status and mitigation plans to stakeholders and customers.
• Support on-site customer engagements and deployments (up to 30% travel).

Skills

Program leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

SDLC & Agile

Communication skills

Autonomy systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Job description

About Field AI

Field AI is at the forefront of robotic embodied AI, transforming industries like construction, security, mining, and manufacturing. Our autonomous robots operate globally, often in harsh environments, delivering critical insights to customers. Whether monitoring construction progress, ensuring safety compliance, or conducting predictive maintenance, Field AI is advancing technology to make a meaningful impact.

Learn more at https://fieldai.com.

About the job

We are seeking a highly motivated Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead large-scale, customer-focused robotics and autonomy programs from inception through deployment and ongoing operations. This role is designed for a technically strong program leader who can own complex delivery efforts for real customers operating in real environments.

The ideal candidate brings deep technical understanding, strong execution skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally across engineering, operations, and customer-facing teams to deliver high-quality autonomy-driven solutions.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Lead large-scale, customer-focused robotics and autonomy programs from planning through deployment and operational handoff.


• Act as the technical project lead for customer engagements, owning execution across autonomy software, systems, hardware, data, and operations.


• Translate customer requirements into clear technical plans, milestones, and delivery timelines.


• Drive cross-functional execution with engineering, product, operations, technical support, and customer success teams.


• Oversee operational readiness and field deployments; surface operational issues and ensure they are addressed by the appropriate technical owners.


• Proactively manage project risks, dependencies, and tradeoffs to ensure successful customer outcomes.


• Communicate project status, challenges, and mitigation plans clearly to internal stakeholders and customers.


• Support on-site customer engagements and deployments (up to 30% travel).

What You Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.


• 1+ years of experience leading complex technical programs in a fast-paced technology environment.


• Strong technical background in software, systems, or hardware engineering.


• Hands‑on understanding of autonomy or self‑driving software systems (minimum requirement). Experience delivering projects involving robotics, embedded systems, or real‑time platforms.


• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and drive execution without direct authority.


• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles (SDLC) and Agile methodologies.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical topics to both technical and non‑technical audiences.


• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple customer programs simultaneously.

The Extras That Set You Apart

• Experience with mobile robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, or embedded systems.


• Background in data delivery, data capture, security, or system‑level integration.


• Experience working closely with field operations or customer deployments in production environments.


• PMP, Scrum Master, or Agile certification.


• Experience in a startup or high‑growth company with a strong bias for ownership and execution.


• Comfort acting as a trusted technical partner to customers in high‑stakes, real‑world deployments

Why Join Field AI?

We are solving one of the world’s most complex challenges: deploying robots in unstructured, previously unknown environments. Our Field Foundational Models set a new standard in perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, ensuring our approach is explainable and safe for deployment.

You will have the opportunity to work with a world‑class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. With a decade-long track record of deploying solutions in the field, winning DARPA challenge segments, and bringing expertise from organizations like DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise Self‑Driving, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, we are set to achieve our ambitious goals.

Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution

To tackle such ambitious challenges, we need a team as unique as our vision — innovators who go beyond conventional methods and are eager to tackle tough, uncharted questions. We’re seeking individuals who challenge the status quo, dive into uncharted territory, and bring interdisciplinary expertise. Our team requires not only top AI talent but also exceptional software developers, engineers, product designers, field deployment experts, and communicators.

We are headquartered in always‑sunny Irvine, Southern California and have US based and global teammates.

Join us, shape the future, and be part of a fun, close‑knit team on an exciting journey!

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.