Program manager (Auto)

Job Title - Program Manager (Auto)

Location - Livermore, CA 94551 (Onsite)

Job Type - Full-Time

Slalary - $120K to $160K Per Annum

WHY

Client is hiring to drive a company-wide transformation in their program management methodology and champion leadership across complex, multi-year vehicle and heavy-equipment development lifecycles.

MISSION

You will spearhead full-scope product management—leading cross-functional teams from initial concept and prototype builds all the way through to start of production (SOP), service documentation, and sales alignment.

DAY TO DAY

• End-to-End Program Execution: Own the full program lifecycle (typically 3-year cycles, managing 1-2 major projects concurrently) including timelines, budgets, and work streams.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead and guide engineering teams, align sales and service stakeholders, and manage service documentation and diagnostics readiness.

• Risk & Executive Management: Proactively manage risks and deliver high-impact status presentations to senior leadership.

• Process & Lifecycle Ownership: Guide the product development process from early prototype builds through to full production, ensuring seamless cross-functional handoffs.

MUST HAVES

• Core Experience: 10+ years of professional experience with a strong mix of technical and business acumen.

• Industry Background: Must have heavy-industry product development experience specifically in automotive, commercial vehicles, or earth-moving/heavy equipment (e.g., John Deere, Caterpillar). Strictly no software, IT, consumer electronics, military, or aerospace.

• Lifecycle Execution: Proven track record of leading hardware/physical product projects all the way from concept and prototype through to full production.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with standard scheduling tools (Microsoft Project experience is a plus (they use), but not required).

This is a direct hire opportunity. The selected candidate will be employed directly by our client. All compensation and benefits, including but not limited to medical insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other perks, will be provided by the client in accordance with their internal policies and subject to applicable laws and eligibility requirements.