Senior Technical Program Manager

Job Summary

The Senior Technical Program Manager will lead firmware development programs for existing and next-generation robotaxi platforms, spanning sensor and perception hardware firmware, compute platform BSP and bootloader, and infotainment ECU firmware. The role will own end-to-end program management from requirements and architecture through bring-up, integration, validation, production release, and sustaining. The TPM will coordinate cross-functional engineering teams, suppliers, and contract manufacturers while driving release plans, hardware and firmware milestones, risk mitigation, manufacturing readiness, and executive communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end program management for firmware development across sensor and perception hardware, compute platform BSP and bootloader, and infotainment ECUs.

• Drive programs from requirements and architecture through bring-up, integration, validation, production release, and sustaining.

• Build and manage firmware release plans covering feature freeze, code complete, integration, validation, and sign-off.

• Synchronize firmware release plans with hardware build events including EVT, DVT, and PVT and broader vehicle program milestones.

• Coordinate Hardware, Firmware, Functional Safety, Validation, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Vehicle Development teams to align priorities, dependencies, and deliverables.

• Drive bring-up readiness to ensure bootloaders, drivers, diagnostics, and test firmware are available when hardware boards arrive.

• Own firmware manufacturing activities including factory flashing and provisioning, secure key injection, end-of-line test firmware, firmware version control at contract manufacturers, and firmware content for build events.

• Establish standardized program reporting and communicate progress, accomplishments, issues, risks, and defect burn-down to cross-functional teams and leadership.

• Identify risks and dependencies early and drive mitigation actions through closure with engineering teams, contract manufacturers, and vendors.

• Establish agendas and decision points for key meetings to eliminate bottlenecks and minimize program risks.

• Support cross-functional decisions involving engineering, finance, and strategy.

• Drive release management and defect triage activities for embedded software, including branching and release strategy, code freeze, and sign-off criteria.

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of Technical Program Management or Engineering Program Management experience supporting firmware or embedded software programs.

• Demonstrated end-to-end experience taking embedded products from requirements through bring-up, validation, and production release.

• Direct experience driving firmware through manufacturing, including factory flashing and provisioning, end-of-line test requirements, and firmware version control at a contract manufacturer.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent experience.

• Strong embedded systems or firmware background.

• Experience owning embedded software release management and defect triage, including branching and release strategies, code freezes, and sign-off criteria.

• Demonstrated ability to work across hardware, software, firmware, functional safety, and systems engineering teams.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly and concisely report program progress, risks, issues, and decisions to cross-functional teams and leadership.

• Proficiency with program management tools such as JIRA, Confluence, and Gantt charts.

• Comfortable working with Git-based workflows and CI systems.

• Ability to operate effectively in rapid development cycles and remain flexible and calm amid uncertainty.

• Strong self-motivation, ownership, and proactive problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• End-to-end development experience in the automotive or consumer electronics industry at the system or subsystem level.

• Working knowledge of embedded firmware development, including SoC and MCU bring-up, bootloaders, secure boot, Linux BSP, device drivers, sensor interfaces, time synchronization, field/OTA updates, and diagnostics.

• Experience with sensor interfaces such as MIPI/CSI, SerDes, Ethernet, SPI, and I2C.

• Experience holding silicon, sensor, and module vendors accountable to BSP and SDK delivery schedules.

• Experience managing two or more complete program development cycles for systems with tight hardware, firmware, and software integration.

• Experience with autonomous vehicles, test platforms, automotive processes, or aerospace processes.

• Experience managing production programs through mass production and post-production sustaining phases, including field firmware updates and firmware change control.

• Experience working with engineering, finance, and strategy teams on complex program decisions.

• Strong working relationships with senior leaders and engineering teams across functions and departments.

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.

Certifications

• PMP or equivalent certification.