Sr. Software Program Manager

Overview

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The Senior Software Program Manager plays a key role in driving the successful planning, tracking, and delivery of software across vehicle programs—from program kick-off to Start of Production (SOP). This role requires a detail-oriented, highly organized individual who can align cross-functional teams, enforce program discipline, and ensure engineering milestones and software deliverables are achieved on schedule. The ideal candidate combines strong program management expertise with experience in software development environments, particularly within the automotive sector, and has a solid understanding of A-SPICE and Agile methodologies.

• Lead the end-to-end planning and execution of software development milestones across vehicle programs from concept through SOP.
• Define, develop, and maintain engineering milestone tracking tools and critical task lists to support software program delivery.
• Collaborate with engineering, validation, systems, and quality teams to align schedules, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Drive the Karma engineering target-setting program:
  Ensure all vehicle/system/software targets are established, documented, and input into program planning tools;
  Track and report target delivery status through each gateway and program phase;
  Ensure target alignment through SOP.
• Develop and standardize templates and processes that guide engineering teams through all phases of vehicle software development.
• Implement Agile best practices, including backlog grooming, sprint planning, and retrospectives; work with Scrum teams to support cadence and commitment.
• Support A-SPICE assessments and process improvements related to software program management.
• Identify program risks early and coordinate mitigation plans across stakeholders.
• Provide regular reporting to leadership on status, risks, and readiness of software deliverables for each vehicle program.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in software project/program management, ideally in the automotive, mobility, or embedded systems domain.
• Strong understanding of software development life cycles, including Agile and waterfall models.
• Direct experience managing large-scale software programs tied to hardware platforms and vehicle timelines.
• Familiarity with A-SPICE frameworks and assessments.
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills; ability to influence across multiple disciplines and leadership levels.
• Proficiency with Agile tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence) and scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project, Excel, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to standardize and improve engineering processes and documentation.
• Experience working on ADAS programs, Infotainment programs, and collaborating closely with system architecture teams.

• Experience managing programs in an OEM or Tier-1 automotive supplier environment.
• Background in embedded software, systems engineering, or vehicle electronics.
• Certification in project management (PMP, SAFe, or similar).

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to frequently use or operate a computer, mouse, and/or other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer printer, etc.
• Ability to frequently use hand(s) for repetitive actions (grasping and fine manipulation).
• Ability to frequently walk or move – to regularly move about inside the office.
• Ability to frequently see or detect, identify, recognize, or assess surroundings while in the office.
• Ability to occasionally bend, kneel, crouch, turn, and stoop.
• Ability to frequently sit or be stationary for extended continuous periods of time.
• Ability to stand for occasional periods of time.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or push/pull up to 20 pounds.

The work environment…