Program Manager Jobs 2026 (Now Hiring) – Smart Auto Apply

Responsibilities:

• Lead multiple programs for complex robotic development, ensuring on-time, high-quality deliverables from conception to deployment and production scaling.
• Drive strategic schedules for critical programs across the robotics portfolio, ensuring timely delivery of key milestones and proactively managing dependencies.
• Enable core engineers to focus on critical development and innovation by optimizing workflows, eliminating operational bottlenecks, and building scalable processes.
• Partner with engineering, product management, technology development, and operations leadership to define program strategy, project requirements, technical milestones, and success metrics.
• Develop comprehensive program plans, schedules, and risk management strategies for programs involving mechanical, electrical, embedded systems, and software components.
• Drive cross-functional coordination and communication at all levels to resolve technical challenges, align teams toward common objectives, and maintain program momentum across the organization.
• Own and optimize the Engineering Change Management (ECM) process, ensuring efficient BOM management, drawing release workflows, version control, and traceability.
• Manage stakeholder expectations across engineering teams, executives, external partners, and customers, providing clear program updates, reports, and proactive risk mitigation plans.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and best practices in robotics development and warehouse automation.
• Lead partnerships with supply chain, manufacturing, and deployment teams to ensure seamless integration, production scaling, and field deployment of robotics solutions.
• Establish and track program health metrics, identify risks early, and drive corrective actions to keep critical programs on track.
• Mentor junior TPMs and engineers on program management best practices, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills:

• 8+ years of experience in technical program management in robotics, automation, or closely related fields such as autonomous systems, industrial robotics, or hardware-intensive product development.
• Robotics experience or experience in a closely related field is required.
• Deep knowledge of robotics systems, including sensors, actuators, embedded systems, motion control, and complex hardware/software integration.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering complex, multi-disciplinary programs from conception to deployment and production scaling in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Strong experience with Engineering Change Management (ECM), BOM management, drawing release processes, and configuration management. Familiarity with Arena or similar PLM tools is highly desirable.
• Expert understanding of Waterfall, Phase-Gated, Agile, and Scrum project management methodologies with demonstrated ability to apply them effectively. Deep familiarity with Jira, Smartsheet, or similar tools.
• Exceptional ability to identify technical trade-offs, prioritize critical tasks, and solve complex challenges in robotics development with minimal guidance.
• Proven ability to influence and align engineering teams, executives, and external partners on program goals and drive consensus across competing priorities.
• Experience with robotics automation, industrial robotics, autonomous systems, or warehouse automation is highly desirable.
• Strong background in supply chain, manufacturing, and production scaling for robotics hardware.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in fast-paced, dynamic environments with evolving priorities, ambiguity, and technical complexity.
• Exceptional communication and cross-functional collaboration skills with ability to operate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Self-driven, highly organized, strategic thinker excited to work in an R&D-heavy robotics environment.
• Willing to work at least 3 days per week at our offices in Charlestown, Massachusetts.