Technical Project Manager - Hardware (contract)

Pivotal; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Onsite HQ in Palo Alto

Job summary

Pivotal is seeking a Technical Project Manager who will lead diverse cross-functional projects in design changes, testing, releases, and manufacturing support. You will drive schedules, budgets, and accountability while collaborating with engineering, operations, and executives.

The role requires strong Agile experience and a passion for aviation and personal flight. Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in engineering project leadership, PMI or equivalent certification, and deep familiarity with Jira

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level or higher in engineering or related field.
• Experience leading electro-mechanical, cross-functional projects.
• PM certification or equivalent knowledge.
• Proficient in Jira and MS Project and related tools.
• Experience in growth-stage tech or aerospace industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage projects using Jira/MS Project and related tools across design, test, release, product launches.
• Lead regular check-ins with owners and leadership to keep scope and schedule on track.
• Advocate for project management fundamentals and mentor others in best practices.
• Ensure safety and accountability while driving time-to-market in a demanding aerospace environment.

Skills

PM fundamentals

Scrum/Agile

Stakeholder comms

Budget management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Jira

MS Project

GitLab

Job description

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.

Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in 2026.

Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

As the Technical Project Manager, you will develop, lead, maintain schedules and budgets, and manage projects related to design changes, test & release, early adopter programs, product launches, and supporting manufacturing development projects. You work seamlessly across functions and are comfortable with Scrum/Agile, as well as traditional water-fall critical-path project management. You are comfortable with a range of project management tools, including Git Lab and MS Project, and are confident presenting to technical groups and executive management alike. You are tenacious and drive accountability and leverage the collective smarts of teams to find better solutions - committed to "finding a way". Ideally, you also bring a passion for technology, aviation, and the future of personal flight!

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage projects, leveraging in Jira / MS Project or similar enterprise project management tools, related to a range of cross-functional initiatives such as design updates, test and release, & product launch
• Carry out regular reviews and regular check-ins with task owners and leadership, ensuring to keep activities on track and quickly address new scope, schedule slips and setbacks while finding opportunities to improve time-to-market
• Be a champion for project management fundamentals and share your greatest skills with others, empowering others to take ownership
• Make sure we are having fun together creating aviation history while maintaining an uncompromising focus on safety of human flight!

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in engineering design or test of complex electro-mechanical systems
• Background in engineering product development and three or more years of project leadership experience in the same and/or related industries
• Strong knowledge of project management fundamentals. PMI associated certification or equivalent knowledge and experience
• Strong knowledge of Jira and MS Project and use/applicability of implementation
• Experience in growth stage companies and larger, best-practice organizations

Preferred Qualifications

• Degreed engineer with hands-on design/development experience that has taken multiple system-level integrated products to manufacturing transition (inclusive of software) and market ramp and has transitioned to project management as a primary discipline
• Expert-level proficiency in Jira, including advanced configuration (workflows, schemes, automation, dashboards) to support complex, cross-functional programs
• Experience and excels in start-up environments - running New Product Introduction programs while following Pivotal program management process
• Experience in aircraft certification and verification / validation
• Optimistic and driven, always finds a way
• A lean mindset: Always thinking about how to make things more efficient
• A growth mindset: Love learning and being challenged
• Strong work ethic and detail-oriented
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, communication, and collaboration skills

Attributes aligned with Core Values

• Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment
• Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication - committing to shared decisions for the greater good
• Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level
• Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress
• Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose
• Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support - balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.

• Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.

Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.