Staff Technical Program Manager, Software Verification & Validation

Ford • Palo Alto, CA

6d • $150,200 - $283,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Technical Program Manager supports hardware and software integration planning, vehicle software integration defect management, and release management for Ford Motor Company. This leadership-level role manages verification and validation (V&V) activities and coordinates with engineering, development, product management, operations, and other cross-functional stakeholders to support program execution and software releases.

The role leads program planning, schedules, budgets, resource alignment, test-platform and equipment dependencies, and risk mitigation. It provides guidance to the V&V team, leads defect triage and release go/no-go meetings, communicates program status and issues to stakeholders and senior management, and drives closure of key issues. It also tracks KPIs and deliverables, analyzes defect trends, and improves V&V processes and methodologies.

The position is hybrid, with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. The stated salary range is $150,200–$283,500; final salary grade and base pay depend on candidate skills and experience, job scope, responsibility, and market value. Visa sponsorship is available. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States, with employment eligibility verified at hire.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, or relevant work experience as a technical program manager in the automotive software space.
• At least 5 years of program management experience focused on software development, verification and validation, or quality assurance.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of V&V methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Knowledge of software development lifecycle (SDLC) and quality assurance practices.
• Excellent project management skills, including creating and managing detailed project plans.
• Strong understanding of Agile/SCRUM methodologies and related tools.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software, such as Microsoft Project, Confluence, and JIRA.
• Experience in defect management.
• Experience in release management.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility will be verified at hire.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience with automotive and electric vehicles; experience in similar domains such as aerospace may also be considered.
• Knowledge of electric vehicles and basic EV architecture.
• Experience validating software on hardware-in-the-loop systems (HILs) or other test platforms.
• PMP or other project management certifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple verification and validation activities, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project plans.
• Develop and maintain detailed program plans, schedules, and budgets.
• Align testing activities with project timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.
• Manage engineering-team dependencies, including procurement of test platforms and equipment to support test execution.
• Manage program risks, identify dependencies, and develop mitigation strategies to support timely milestone execution.
• Guide the V&V team and foster a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
• Lead internal bug triage meetings to identify and assign next steps for open issues.
• Coordinate V&V activities with development, product management, operations, and other teams.
• Communicate program status, progress, and issues to stakeholders, including senior management.
• Manage go/no-go meetings to review the technical merits of open issues and make release decisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather and analyze testing requirements.
• Work with development teams and other technical program managers to drive closure of key issues.
• Analyze defect trends and patterns and recommend process improvements.
• Improve V&V processes and methodologies using industry best practices and emerging technologies.
• Track and report program status, KPIs, and deliverables to leadership and stakeholders.
• Identify program risks and work cross-functionally to resolve conflicts.
• Triage defects resulting from software integration and lab-car testing.
• Triage defects from testing outside the Software organization, including vehicle tests and driver mileage accumulation.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup childcare.
• Family-building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior