Principal Technical Program Manager, Hardware

Hayden AI • San Francisco, CA

3d • $213,743 - $277,866

About The Position

At Hayden AI, we are on a mission to harness the power of computer vision to transform the way transit systems and other government agencies address real-world challenges. From bus lane and bus stop enforcement to transportation optimization technologies and beyond, our innovative mobile perception system empowers our clients to accelerate transit, enhance street safety, and drive toward a sustainable future.

Requirements

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in an engineering discipline
• 12+ years in Hardware TPM or Engineering Program Management
• Led 5+ multi-disciplinary hardware products from 0-to-1 through production
• Deep knowledge of NPI lifecycle (EVT, DVT, PVT, MP), phase gate governance, and CM/supplier management
• Experience with hardware reliability, regulatory compliance (FCC, CE), and supply chain risk
• Strong technical foundation in embedded systems, hardware/software integration, or computer vision systems

Nice To Haves

• Experience with on-vehicle, edge-deployed, or ruggedized hardware
• Background in autonomous systems, robotics, or AI/ML hardware programs
• Experience delivering technology to government or municipal clients
• Familiarity with DFX methodologies (DFA, DFI, DFS)

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end delivery of enterprise engineering programs, bridging executive business goals and technical execution.
• Partner with Perception and Platform engineering to ensure hardware programs account for the full edge inference stack - thermal envelope, compute constraints, sensor integration, and field serviceability - so that AI system requirements drive hardware decisions from day one.
• Partner with engineering leadership to drive early-stage R&D efforts, including proof-of-concepts (PoCs) and the rigorous evaluation of next-generation components, shaping the N+1 and N+2 product roadmaps.
• Define, implement, and rigorously enforce phase gate reviews and program milestones across the hardware lifecycle. Ensure cross-functional readiness, quality standards, and executive alignment before advancing products to subsequent development phases.
• Drive the end-to-end New Product Introduction (NPI) process (EVT, DVT, PVT) and oversee vendor delivery to ensure a seamless transition from prototype to Mass Production (MP).
• Partner with Engineering and Growth to shape what gets built at the hardware level — translating field feedback, customer deployment constraints, and regulatory requirements into clear hardware requirements before design begins, and holding the line on scope when program objectives drift.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree