Technical Program Manager [AQ-16054]

About the role

Aquent is partnering with a pioneering organization at the forefront of autonomous technology that is revolutionizing transportation by developing advanced hardware for future fleets of self-driving vehicles. Their hardware engineering team creates the foundational compute, control, and electrical systems that bring these vehicles to life. We are seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Technical Program Manager to lead critical operational initiatives and spearhead the adoption of cutting-edge AI automation tools, enhancing team productivity and project delivery. You will be instrumental in shaping how the team plans, executes, and scales its efforts, directly contributing to the realization of groundbreaking autonomous technology and the success of the company's ambitious goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic operational planning, including quarterly cycles, budgeting, and continuous improvement initiatives for the hardware engineering team, developing systematic approaches to planning and issue management frameworks.
• Define, develop, and roll out advanced AI automation tools designed to significantly elevate the productivity of program managers and engineers through agentic integration across various productivity and IT tools.
• Drive effective issue resolution by overseeing hygiene and target achievement for issue tracking systems, ensuring critical issues and cross-team requests are resolved efficiently and within agreed timelines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across hardware, firmware, software, vehicle engineering, procurement, and manufacturing to streamline firmware configuration processes across all project phases and target configurations.
• Actively foster an inclusive environment, inviting and valuing diverse perspectives in decision-making to strengthen team outcomes.
• Develop and maintain clear, concise standard reports and one-pagers to effectively communicate program status, risks, issues, and achievements to key stakeholders and leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in Technical Program Management, with a proven track record of leading and successfully delivering complex cross-functional programs in hardware and/or software development.
• Hands-on familiarity with end-to-end product development processes and proficiency in program management tools such as Gantt charts, risk tracking and reporting, Smartsheet, and issue tracking systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of Large Language Models (LLMs), prompt engineering, and experience with various AI tools.
• Proficiency in agentic coding workflows using various Integrated Development Environments.
• Exceptional ability to maintain a strategic overview while providing clear, well-structured, and concise communications tailored to diverse audiences. Excellent written, presentation, and verbal communication skills are essential.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Proven experience in building AI-based solutions for small to medium businesses or enterprise environments to automate workflows across various productivity tools.
• Previous experience in product development Operations Program Management, covering areas such as budgeting, organization-wide planning cycles, risk management, reporting (e.g., dashboards), and process development.