Project Manager_Embedded Software_Hybrid, Madison, WI

Senior Technical Program / Project ManagerMultidisciplinary Product Development | Engineering DeliveryROLE OVERVIEW Lead day-to-day execution and delivery across a complex engineering program spanning hardware, electrical engineering, embedded software, connectivity, application software, mobile dependencies, and distributed teams.Position OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Senior Technical Program/Project Manager to support a next-generation architectural lighting platform. This large, multidisciplinary product-development program spans hardware, electrical engineering, firmware and embedded software, wireless connectivity, Linux-based application software, mobile application dependencies, and geographically distributed engineering teams.This leader will partner closely with engineering and project leadership to strengthen execution, coordination, visibility, and accountability. The role will connect work across technical teams, identify stalled deliverables and dependencies, maintain execution discipline in Jira, and ensure risks, decisions, ownership, and next steps are clear.The successful candidate will have the technical fluency to follow complex engineering discussions, ask informed questions, identify inconsistencies, and drive clarity without being the person responsible for solving every technical problem.Key ResponsibilitiesDrive day-to-day execution across a complex, multidisciplinary engineering program.Partner with engineering leadership, project management, principal and senior engineers, internal teams, and external engineering partners to keep work moving.Maintain clear visibility into current work, ownership, due dates, blockers, dependencies, and next steps.Identify and manage dependencies across hardware, electrical engineering, firmware and embedded software, wireless connectivity, application software, mobile applications, and related engineering workstreams.Maintain the Jira work environment so it accurately reflects priorities, ownership, commitments, dependencies, and status.Engage directly with technical teams to validate progress rather than relying solely on high-level status reports.Identify execution bottlenecks and distinguish among capacity constraints, technical dependencies, planning gaps, coordination issues, unclear ownership, and leadership or accountability concerns.Surface schedule risks and execution issues early, providing leadership with a reliable view of program health.Facilitate communication, alignment, and decision-making across geographically distributed engineering teams.Drive accountability while respecting the roles of existing engineering and project leadership.Collaborate closely with the existing project-management structure while providing dedicated attention to the program.Provide frequent, direct updates to senior leadership on progress, obstacles, risks, decisions, and areas requiring intervention.Technical ExperienceThe ideal candidate does not need to be a hands-on expert in every engineering discipline, but must have sufficient technical fluency to lead delivery within a multidisciplinary product-development environment. Experience should include exposure to several of the following:Hardware and product developmentElectrical engineering and electronicsFirmware and embedded softwareSoftware engineeringLinux-based applications or platformsWireless and connectivity technologiesHardware/software integrationMobile application dependenciesComplex systems integrationJira-based engineering executionCritical requirement: The candidate must be able to participate credibly in technical conversations, understand dependencies and risks, ask appropriate follow-up questions, and translate technical issues into clear execution actions.Leadership and Delivery ProfileExperience stepping into a complex or challenged engineering program and creating structure, visibility, and execution clarity.Comfort working with principal engineers, senior engineers, engineering managers, project managers, and executives.Ability to challenge assumptions professionally and ask difficult questions without creating unnecessary friction.Proven ability to drive accountability through influence rather than formal authority.Ability to recognize when an apparent project-management issue is actually related to engineering ownership, dependencies, capacity, or technical leadership.Comfort operating in an environment where roles and responsibilities may overlap.Ability to establish credibility quickly with experienced technical teams.Maturity to navigate organizational dynamics while remaining focused on delivery.Good judgment regarding escalation, with a preference for working directly with the people involved before elevating issues.A hands-on approach and willingness to work in the details rather than operating only at the steering-committee or executive-status level.A senior-level, proactive, self-directed mindset with the ability to move work forward in ambiguous situations.MADTS112_1793628386