Technical Program Manager - Hardware

Mind Robotics • Palo Alto, CA

3d

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Technical Program Manager to lead our hardware development efforts. This role involves end-to-end ownership of the hardware development schedule, from initial architecture and prototyping through validation, industrialization, and production ramp. You will be responsible for creating and maintaining comprehensive program plans, tracking key metrics, mitigating risks, and ensuring cross-functional alignment across various engineering teams and with our supply chain partners. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background, a proven track record in shipping complex hardware products, and a deep understanding of New Product Introduction (NPI) processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, or a related field) or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience in technical program management for complex hardware products (e.g., robotics, consumer electronics, automotive, or aerospace).
• Demonstrated success in shipping physical products from initial concept through mass production.
• Strong technical fundamentals with the ability to engage meaningfully in mechanical, electrical, and firmware design discussions without requiring translation.
• Experience managing programs involving electromechanical systems with multiple interdependent subsystems (motors, PCBAs, sensors, structural assemblies).
• Familiarity with New Product Introduction (NPI) processes, including tooling qualification, PPAP, DVT/PVT, and first-article inspections.
• Experience working directly with contract manufacturers and global suppliers on industrialization and production readiness.
• High sense of urgency, comfortable with ambiguity, and driven by an "engineering curiosity" to understand how the entire system works.

Responsibilities

• Lead the hardware development schedule from initial architecture and prototyping through validation, industrialization, and production ramp.
• Create and maintain comprehensive program plans, Gantt charts, and action trackers across all active hardware subsystems (actuators, electronics, structures, and sensors).
• Monitor and report on key program metrics—including cost, mass, reliability, and performance—against the schedule, while communicating status, blockers, and risks to leadership.
• Identify and escalate technical and supply chain risks early, leading rapid reaction plans to keep programs on track.
• Coordinate across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software teams to align design milestones, integration timelines, and test readiness.
• Partner with supply chain, supplier industrialization, and contract manufacturers to ensure parts and assemblies are delivered on time and to specification.
• Drive rigorous design reviews, change control processes, and BOM accuracy across all subsystems to ensure documentation is efficient and precise.
• Support the planning and execution of Design Validation Testing (DVT) and Production Validation Testing (PVT) across all hardware subsystems.

What This Job Offers

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