Technical Program Manager
Overview
Schedule
Full-time
Education
Engineering (PE)
Career level
Director
Remote
On-site
Compensation
$150,000-$280,000/year
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Job Description
The Role:
- Shape the vision and strategy of our vehicle program, working directly with engineering leadership to define product priorities, technical roadmaps, and long-term development goals.
- Own end-to-end program execution, from early prototype development through production, with the authority to drive priorities, resolve blockers, and influence critical decisions.
- Help define what we build, not just how we build it, contributing to product requirements, performance targets, engineering tradeoffs, and strategic direction.
- Drive high-impact technical and business decisions, balancing performance, cost, schedule, risk, and manufacturability to determine the best path forward.
- Lead cross-functional execution across Mechanical, Electrical, Software, AI, Operations, and Leadership, aligning teams around a shared vision and measurable outcomes.
- Play a central role in resource allocation and strategic planning, influencing engineering investments, development priorities, supplier strategies, and build-versus-buy decisions.
- Own the transition from prototype to production, defining development milestones, validation strategies, manufacturing readiness, and the processes required to scale.
- Work directly with company leadership on the program's biggest challenges, with the autonomy to identify opportunities, propose solutions, and drive meaningful organizational change.
What Kind of person are we looking for
- 3 (minimum for Senior) to 10+ years spanning hands-on engineering and technical leadership (TPM, engineering management, or equivalent) on complex multidisciplinary products.
- Proven track record delivering integrated hardware-electronics-software systems from concept through manufacturing release.
- Strong technical fluency grounded in real build experience — able to recognize when a decision requires more rigor vs when to move fast.
- First-principles thinking with sound instincts for strategic tradeoffs (e.g., buy vs. build, specialization vs. generalization).
- Experience with mechanical systems involving motion, kinematics, sensing, and closed-loop control, and software for embedded or hardware-adjacent systems.Strong bias for ownership and clarity in ambiguous environments.
- Experience with iterative, incremental hardware development in fast-moving or startup contexts.
- Demonstrated ability to structure ambiguous programs — breaking them down into fundamental components, dependencies, and a fast cycle-time execution model.
- Strong executive presence and communication — trusted by both technical teams and leadership.
- High EQ and sound judgment navigating complex people dynamics across technical organizations.
- BS or higher in relevant engineering field, or equivalent experience
- Experience driving reliability growth, scaling readiness, and manufacturing release processes.
Benefits
We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.). Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits.Salary
The annual compensation is expected to be between $150,000 - $280,000. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.
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FAQs About Technical Program Manager Jobs at Foundation
What is the work location for this position at Foundation?
This job at Foundation is located in San Francisco, California, according to the details provided by the employer. Some roles may also include multiple work locations depending on the requirement.
What pay range can candidates expect for this role at Foundation?
Candidates can expect a pay range of $150,000 and $280,000 per year.
What employment applies to this position at Foundation?
Foundation lists this role as a Full-time position.
What experience level is required for this role at Foundation?
Foundation is looking for a candidate with "Director" experience level.
What education level is required for this job?
The education requirement for this position is Engineering (PE). Candidates with relevant qualifications or equivalent experience may also be considered.
What benefits are offered by Foundation for this role?
Foundation offers following benefits: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, 401k Matching/Retirement Savings, and Health & Wellness Programs for this position. Actual benefits may vary depending on the employer's policies and employment terms.
What is the process to apply for this position at Foundation?
You can apply for this role at Foundation either through Sonara's automated application system, which helps you submit applications 10X faster with minimal effort, or by applying manually using the direct link on the job page.