Technical Program Manager (Santa Clara)

Forward is transforming how the world’s most complex networks are managed and secured. Founded in 2013 by four Stanford Ph.D.s, we built the industry’s first network digital twin, a mathematically precise model of the production network that gives IT teams unmatched visibility, verification, and agility across every major cloud and vendor environment.Our customers include global leaders such as Goldman Sachs, PayPal, S&P Global, IBM, and Dell, as well as fast-growing enterprises and government agencies. According to IDC, Forward customers realize an average of $14.2 million in annual benefits through improved efficiency and security.Backed by world-class investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Goldman Sachs, MSD Partners, and Threshold Ventures, Forward offers a people-centric, innovative culture where brilliant minds are shaping the future of network reliability, security, and AI-ready operations.Forward is looking for a Technical Program ManagerCore accountability: Drive execution across engineering programs, including releases, cross-functional initiatives, and the communications and coordination infrastructure that keeps a scaling org aligned.What you'll own:Release management end-to-end: SDLC coordination from product definition through production deployment, dependency mapping, release cadence, risk identification, and escalation before deadlines slipCross-functional programs that span engineering, product, and the technical field: scoping, sequencing, and driving them to outcomesInternal engineering communications: status reporting, exec updates, and the cadence of how engineering keeps the rest of the org informedProcess design that gets teams aligned without adding bureaucracy. Lightweight, followed, and retired when no longer usefulAutomation and AI leverage: identify what should be automated, partner with engineers to implement, and use AI for status tracking, documentation, and dependency analysisWhat matters:Track record running multi-team SaaS releases and broader engineering programs with complex dependenciesTechnical depth to distinguish realistic from fantasy (networking or infrastructure background a plus)Translates fluently between technical teams and business stakeholdersBuilds lightweight processes that actually get followedKnows when to push back on scope or timeline vs. when to escalateComfortable being the person who asks are we still on track? repeatedly, and the one who reframes the question when the answer keeps being yes but the evidence says otherwiseWhat this isn't:Pure project management. You need technical credibilityPure engineering. You're not writing runbooks or going on-callOrder-taker. You'll challenge unrealistic commitments and unclear program goalsCustomer-facing. This role is internalThe base pay range for this role is between $190,000 and $220,000. Base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location