Engineering Program Manager - Robotics Development

Job Description

Job Description

Engineering Program Manager - Robotics Development

Austin, Texas | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a fast-growing robotics company developing advanced automation platforms that are transforming aerospace and defense manufacturing. This is an opportunity to help drive the execution of next-generation robotic products that improve how complex aircraft structures are manufactured, maintained, and sustained. As the Engineering Program Manager, you will serve as the operational hub for multidisciplinary engineering programs, partnering closely with hardware, software, controls, manufacturing, and applications engineering teams to deliver advanced robotic systems from concept through customer deployment. You'll own execution across multiple concurrent development programs while ensuring engineering teams remain aligned, technical milestones stay on schedule, and customers receive a world-class experience. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working alongside engineers, solving complex technical challenges, and bringing innovative hardware products to market. Rather than functioning as a traditional project manager, you'll become an integral part of the engineering organization, helping accelerate product development and ensuring successful execution across every phase of the program lifecycle.

About Us

We are a venture-backed robotics company building standardized automation platforms for aerospace and defense manufacturing. Our products combine robotics, software, controls, machine vision, sensing technologies, and precision mechanical engineering to automate highly technical manufacturing and sustainment operations. Our engineering organization is intentionally small, allowing every employee to have meaningful ownership over products, customers, and technical decisions. We're focused on developing scalable robotic platforms that can be deployed across multiple production environments, creating long-term products rather than one-off automation projects. As we continue to grow, we're looking for collaborative leaders who thrive in fast-moving engineering environments and enjoy solving complex multidisciplinary challenges.

Job Duties

• Lead execution of multidisciplinary robotics development programs from concept through customer deployment.
• Own project schedules, milestones, technical deliverables, budgets, and overall program execution across multiple concurrent engineering efforts.
• Coordinate hardware, software, controls, manufacturing, and applications engineering teams to maintain alignment throughout product development.
• Serve as the primary customer-facing program manager for assigned engineering programs.
• Translate customer requirements into clear engineering priorities and executable development plans.
• Facilitate technical planning sessions, design reviews, engineering reviews, and customer status meetings.
• Track schedules, risks, dependencies, action items, and technical issues while proactively driving resolution.
• Coordinate prototype builds, system integration activities, validation testing, commissioning, and customer acceptance events.
• Partner with procurement, manufacturing, suppliers, and subcontractors to support program execution and production readiness.
• Manage scope changes while balancing customer expectations, technical priorities, and business objectives.
• Maintain accurate program documentation, schedules, and reporting throughout the development lifecycle.
• Identify opportunities to improve project execution, engineering workflows, and program management processes as the company continues to scale.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience leading engineering projects or technical programs within robotics, aerospace, manufacturing, automation, or related industries.
• Demonstrated success managing complex multidisciplinary engineering programs from concept through customer delivery.
• Strong understanding of hardware product development and engineering program execution.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional engineering teams across multiple technical disciplines.
• Proficiency with project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, or equivalent scheduling platforms.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage engineers, customers, suppliers, and executive leadership.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-growth engineering organization.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting robotics, industrial automation, or advanced manufacturing equipment development.
• Background in aerospace, defense, or government-funded engineering programs.
• Experience coordinating prototype development, product validation, and production readiness activities.
• Familiarity with systems integration, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and customer commissioning.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management training.
• Experience working within ITAR-controlled or other regulated engineering environments.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, supplier management, and engineering change management.
• Military experience supporting engineering, logistics, maintenance, or technical operations is a plus.

Why Join Us

• Drive the development of advanced robotics platforms that are transforming aerospace and defense manufacturing.
• Become an integral member of the engineering organization, partnering directly with technical leaders across every discipline.
• Own highly visible programs from customer kickoff through deployment, commissioning, and long-term product success.
• Help shape scalable robotic products designed for repeatable deployment rather than custom integration projects.
• Collaborate with experienced engineers solving complex challenges across robotics, controls, software, manufacturing, and mechanical design.
• Join a rapidly growing company where ownership is encouraged, bureaucracy is minimal, and individual contributions have a direct impact on product direction.
• Competitive compensation package.
• Performance-based bonus opportunity.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off.

Compensation Details

$120,000 - $170,000