Lead Program Manager

Who you are

• Operational & Program Leadership: 7–10+ years of experience leading complex technical programs or physical operations, with a proven ability to structure ambiguous initiatives from concept to execution
• Executive Presence & Communication: Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders, communicate trade-offs clearly to executive leadership, and manage high-stakes cross-functional relationships
• Hands-on / "Scrappy" Mindset: Willingness to engage directly with ground-level depot workflows and physical hardware when technical roadblocks require operational triage
• Cross-Functional Orchestration: Proven track record aligning cross-functional teams (Engineering, Product, Supply Chain, Safety, Legal) across shifting timelines and competing priorities
• Hardware / NPI Testing Experience: Direct experience launching or validating automotive, autonomous vehicle, or robotics hardware platforms
• Vendor & Field Operations: Experience managing third-party vendor operations, staffing models, or depot operations

What the job involves

• In this hybrid role, you will report to a Head of Validation Operations
• Lead NPI Platform Program Execution: Drive end-to-end program structuring for onboarding new platform variants into validation fleets, managing the critical path from arrival and upfit to testing and fleet deployment
• Executive Stakeholder Management & Influence: Serve as the primary operational partner to cross-functional leadership (Engineering, Product, Supply Chain, Safety), actively aligning dependencies, pushing back when necessary, and driving high-level decisions
• Hands-on Operational Problem Solving: Bridge high-level program strategy with ground-level realities, stepping directly into depot/field operations as needed to unblock issues and validate processes
• Align Planning with Execution: Spearhead operating plans that reconcile demand forecasts with field realities, dynamically adjusting for real-time vehicle online rates, upfit throughput, and operator constraints
• Executive Reporting & Visibility: Formulate, automate, and present executive dashboards and operating metrics, effectively communicating operational readiness, program risks, and fleet bottlenecks to senior leadership
• Optimize Fleet Efficiency & Yield: Partner cross-functionally to build capacity and forecasting frameworks that maximize validation yield and streamline vendor operational workflows

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health
• Personalized workplace adjustments for diverse needs and abilities, including physical, mental, and neurodivergent considerations
• Access to mental health apps
• Onsite wellness centers
• Second medical opinion for you and your loved ones
• Medical advocacy program for transgender employees
• Counseling services
• Support programs including menopause benefit
• Competitive compensation
• Regular bonus and equity performance grant opportunities
• Generous 401(k) and regional retirement plans
• Annual cross-company compensation review and pay equity analysis
• 1-on-1 financial coaching
• Fertility and growing family assistance
• Parental leave and baby bonding leave
• Caregiver leave
• Elder care and support
• Backup childcare
• Survivor income benefit
• Paid time off, including vacation, bereavement, sick leave, parental leave, disability, and holidays
• Jury duty leave
• Military leave
• Hybrid work model with remote work opportunities also available
• Educational reimbursement
• Peer learning and coaching platform
• Donation matching programs
• Employee resource groups
• Volunteer hours
• Internal community groups and local culture clubs
• Inspiring spaces to work, recharge, and collaborate with fellow Waymonauts
• On-site meals and snacks
• Fitness centers, massage programs, and ergonomic support
• On-demand fitness, wellbeing, and cooking classes
• Commuter benefits