Technical Program Manager

About Us

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software‑defined vehicles around the world.

The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.

The Staff Technical Program Manager is responsible for the end‑to‑end planning and execution of complex software programs, from embedded systems to cloud services. This role serves as the nexus between software engineering, product management, and other technical partners. The ideal candidate possesses deep technical knowledge of the software development lifecycle and excels at creating and managing integrated schedules, unblocking engineering teams, and delivering high‑quality, scalable software on time.

• Drive the execution of full‑stack software programs, creating and maintaining technical schedules, priorities, and roadmaps.
• Lead planning and end‑to‑end integration of ECU HW and SW on various test assets, ensuring testing aligns with program milestones and quality standards.
• Drive continuous improvements in integration workflows, SW feature maturation process and test processes by implementing best practices to optimize efficiency and quality of deliverables.
• Collaborate with engineering and product leaders to ensure technical designs are properly evaluated for feasibility, scalability, and quality.
• Lead teams using Agile methodologies, facilitating sprint planning, managing dependencies, and rigorously prioritizing work to remove obstacles.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact, expertly managing stakeholder expectations and communicating program status, risks, and trade‑offs.
• Sponsor and refine software development best practices, including continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD), to increase development velocity.
• Proactively identify potential risks to software delivery timelines or quality, implement mitigation strategies, and elevate concerns as needed.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to other Technical Program Managers.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of progressive Technical or Engineering Program Management experience, with a strong track record in software delivery for complex, integrated software‑hardware products.
• Experience with Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and Systems Engineering principles.
• Deep understanding of software development life cycles, architectures for embedded (Linux/Android) and cloud‑based systems, and modern communication protocols.
• Expertise in Agile development processes and program management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence).
• Excellent critical thinking, problem‑solving, and communication skills, with a proven ability to lead and influence cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Understanding of hardware/software bring‑up of distributed systems, managing project dependencies, and negotiating parallel activities to optimize project execution.
• Proven track record with software development project planning, progress tracking, and risk management.

• Previous experience as a software or hardware product development engineer.
• Experience with over‑the‑air (OTA) software update strategies and deployment for connected devices or systems.
• Experience in the automotive industry.

Salary Range for Palo Alto, California Based Candidates: $167,400 - $209,300 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Salary Range for Irvine, California Based Candidates: $154,000 - $192,500 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Salary Range for British Columbia Based Candidates: $123,200 CAD -…