Technical Hardware Program Manager

Zebra Technologies•Holtsville, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Zebra Technologies is seeking a dynamic and visionary Technical Program Manager who will play a pivotal role in driving mainly hardware product development and delivery of cutting-edge solutions. This individual will be instrumental in building seamlessly integrated ecosystems that empower customers to transform operations through real-time intelligence, predictive insights, and next-generation solutions at scale. The role will focus on creating an ecosystem of intelligent Advanced Data Capture and Printing Solutions, leveraging technologies such as Barcode Scanning, Computer Vision, RFID, Mobile Printing, AI-driven analytics, and Wireless Communications. By ensuring these solutions are intuitive, reliable, and easy to deploy, you will enable customers to achieve operational excellence and industry innovation. As a senior leader, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to deliver superior products, translating complex customer needs into actionable hardware and software solutions that drive value. Your work will directly influence Zebra's mission to empower industries with real-time intelligence while shaping the future of advanced technology ecosystems.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required.
8+ years of experience
Full life cycle program management experienced
Experience in Hardware & Software Engineering Solutions and Program Management roles
Scrum agile methodologies implementation experience
Experience with software development best practices including Scaled Agile, TDD and Continuous Integration; a track record of applying these methodologies

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Understand the components of the AI development lifecycle from both a development and GTM perspective.
Experience driving efficiencies through AI and work history in automation and digital transformation
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams across global locations and time zones, fostering collaboration and driving successful outcomes.
Exceptional strategic leadership, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead complex programs from initial concept through development, testing, deployment, and post-launch activities, ensuring alignment with Zebra's strategic goals.
Manage all aspects of program execution, including scope, schedule, budget planning/reconciling, resource allocation, and risk management.
Oversee cross-functional teams (e.g., Engineering, Testing, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Marketing, Service, etc...) to deliver hardware and software solutions that integrate seamlessly into Zebra’s ecosystem.
Ensure all programs adhere to Zebra's Lifecycle Management (ZLM) framework, emphasizing governance compliance, quality assurance, and timely delivery of milestones.
Drive robust documentation and traceability for program requirements, design specifications, and testing procedures.
Foster an agile mindset across teams to maximize efficiency and adaptability, promoting continuous improvement in processes and outcomes.
Oversee multiple limited-scope projects simultaneously and/or lead large, complex programs with global cross-functional teams.
Lead system integration efforts, ensuring hardware, software, and third-party solutions are seamlessly combined into cohesive products.
Plan and execute product demonstrations, proofs of concept (PoC), pilots, and validation tests to ensure solutions meet customer needs and regulatory requirements.
Coordinate release management activities, ensuring successful deployment of solutions with minimal disruption to operations.
Work closely with Product Management, Marketing, and Experience Designers to deeply understand customer challenges and translate them into actionable solution requirements.
Collaborate with customers to validate requirements and ensure delivered solutions address real-world problems effectively.
Focus on designing solutions that are the easiest to set up, operate, and maintain, ensuring customers achieve operational excellence with minimal complexity.
Incorporate customer feedback and usability testing into the development process to refine solutions and improve user experiences.
Drive the integration of AI-driven intelligence and predictive analytics into Zebra’s solutions, enabling industries to make data-driven decisions in real time.
Support the development of solutions that scale easily to meet the evolving needs of industries such as retail, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing.
Collaborate with Portfolio Management to align product innovation initiatives with Zebra's long-term strategic goals and innovation roadmap.
Identify and incorporate emerging technologies into new product offerings to maintain Zebra’s competitive edge.
Define strategic initiatives that position Zebra as an industry leader in AI-driven operational intelligence and next-generation ecosystems.
Establish and nurture strategic partnerships with technology companies, startups, and research institutions to co-develop cutting-edge solutions.
Partner with Zebra Ventures to identify and integrate adjacent technologies that enhance the value of Zebra's ecosystem.
Continuously monitor the competitive landscape, identifying market trends, potential disruptors, and opportunities to differentiate Zebra’s solutions.
Leverage insights to refine product positioning, pricing strategies, and go-to-market approaches.
Build and maintain strong relationships across all relevant business areas, including Sales, Services, IT, Finance, Marketing, Product, Engineering, and Support.
Foster a culture of collaboration, ensuring diverse perspectives are incorporated into program planning and execution.
Act as a bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders, ensuring alignment and clear communication.
Mentor junior Program Managers and team members, providing guidance on best practices in program management, agile methodologies, and risk mitigation.
Serve as an escalation point for complex issues, offering solutions and facilitating decision-making to keep programs on track.
Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across program timelines, technical feasibility, budget constraints, and resource allocation.
Develop and implement contingency plans to address potential obstacles, ensuring minimal impact on program objectives.
Ensure all programs comply with regulatory, quality, and governance standards, including safety certifications, intellectual property protections, and industry-specific requirements.
Regularly review program progress and present updates to senior leadership using tools like JIRA, digital dashboards, and other project management software.
Scope, forecast and manage project OPEX and CAPX expenses on a weekly basis to meet the BU financial objectives.
Lead cross-functional workstreams to develop training materials, sales collateral, and support documentation that enable successful product adoption.
Ensure seamless handoff of solutions from development to sales, marketing, and customer support teams.
Define and measure customer Proof of Value (PoV) and Return on Investment (ROI), aligning product performance with customer success metrics.
Work with business leaders to develop compelling business cases for Zebra’s solutions, showcasing their impact on operational efficiency and innovation.
Support early-stage go-to-market activities, including customer onboarding, training, and troubleshooting.
Gather post-launch feedback to inform future product iterations and continuous improvement initiatives.
Stay updated on advancements in AI, IoT, RFID, Computer Vision, Wireless Communications, Barcode Scanning, Mobile Printing and other emerging technologies.
Provide technical leadership in integrating these technologies into Zebra’s solutions, ensuring scalability and reliability.
Contribute to the development and protection of Zebra’s intellectual property, ensuring innovative solutions are safeguarded against competitors.
Collaborate with legal teams to manage IP-related negotiations and compliance.
Work closely with Portfolio Management and senior leadership to ensure programs align with Zebra’s overarching business strategy.
Assist in defining strategic goals, market-entry strategies, and approaches to capitalize on new business opportunities.