Sr. Manager, Technical Program Management

Job description

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. ROLE SUMMARY Are you an accomplished Technical Program Manager with a passion for leading high-performing teams and delivering outcomes in complex, safety-critical product environments? We are seeking an experienced people leader to manage a team of Technical Program Managers embedded across homologation, product security, functional safety, and quality programs within our Product Integrity organization. In this role, you will set strategic direction for the team, drive cross-functional alignment, and ensure the highest standards of rigor and execution as we bring next-generation software-defined vehicles to market. RESPONSIBILITIES - People Leadership - Lead, mentor, and grow a team of Technical Program Managers working across homologation, product security, functional safety, and quality domains within the Product Integrity organization - Set clear goals, provide regular coaching and feedback, and support the career development of each team member - Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration within the team - Recruit, onboard, and retain top program management talent as the team and product portfolio scale Program Execution - Own the strategic roadmap and delivery health across homologation, product security, functional safety, and quality programs, ensuring alignment with vehicle program milestones and regulatory timelines - Drive cross-functional coordination across engineering, legal, regulatory, and quality organizations to resolve the most complex interdependencies and systemic risks - Establish and maintain rigorous program governance frameworks, including risk management, milestone tracking, and executive reporting cadences - Ensure TPMs on the team are effectively managing verification and validation plans, regulatory submissions, and quality gate processes for their respective domains - Proactively identify and mitigate risks to regulatory compliance, product security posture, and functional safety certification timelines, escalating appropriately to leadership Stakeholder Engagement & Strategy - Serve as the primary escalation point and senior representative for the Product Integrity TPM team in cross-functional and executive forums - Cultivate strong partnerships with leaders across software, hardware, legal, regulatory affairs, and vehicle programs to ensure Product Integrity requirements are fully integrated into program plans - Deliver clear, concise, and insightful program status updates to executive leadership and key stakeholders, translating complex regulatory and technical risks into actionable decisions - Champion process excellence and lead significant continuous improvement initiatives across the program management lifecycle within Product Integrity QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Qualifications: - BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related technical field - 10+ years of progressive Technical or Engineering Program Management experience, with a strong track record in complex, safety-critical or regulated software-hardware products at scale - 3+ years of direct people management experience leading teams of program or project managers - Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following domains: homologation/regulatory compliance, product/cybersecurity, functional safety (ISO 26262 or equivalent), or quality management systems - Exceptional communication, collaboration, and influencing skills, with a proven ability to align and motivate diverse cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders in highly dynamic environments - Deep, practical mastery of both Agile and Waterfall development methodologies, with advanced proficiency in Jira and other program management tools - Proven track record of developing talent and building high-performing teams Preferred Qualifications - Experience in the automotive industry, particularly with type approval, homologation, or regional regulatory compliance processes - Familiarity with automotive cybersecurity standards (ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE WP.29), functional safety standards (ISO 26262, IEC 61508) - 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 - PMP, SAFe, or equivalent program management certification TOTAL REWARDS We build the exceptional — and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program. Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect, and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), subject to board approval and the terms of our equity incentive plans, including applicable vesting requirements. In addition to our compensation programs, we invest in our people with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial future for full-time employees — including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country. Learn more about our global benefit programs https://rvtech.mybenefits.life/. External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board https://app.ashbyhq.com/internal/job-board/b10a9912-eb45-4a84-9a34-84b2a459923a. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com. CANDIDATE DATA PRIVACY Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies” may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) record keeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions. If you provide a mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use that number to contact you via SMS text message for recruitment-related purposes, including scheduling, logistics, and status updates. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of applying for or being considered for employment. Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) https://assets.ctfassets.net/2md5qhoeajym/53otRWdzXPzSdWPgiel5T/07c61b0eed2d91f2f403f788fd20d315/RVTech_Candidate_Data_Privacy_Notice_-_Nov_2024.pdf and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) https://assets.ctfassets.net/2md5qhoeajym/40xUZMehbGToclkLqWXW0E/eb5b553bd8af7c607066253fbb227bda/RVTech_Candidate_Data_Privacy_Notice_-_Nov_2024_Serbian.pdf for more information. -- Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.