Technical Program Manager – Robotics & Autonomy

FieldAI • Irvine, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Field AI is at the forefront of robotic embodied AI, transforming industries like construction, security, mining, and manufacturing. Our autonomous robots operate globally, often in harsh environments, delivering critical insights to customers. Whether monitoring construction progress, ensuring safety compliance, or conducting predictive maintenance, Field AI is advancing technology to make a meaningful impact. We are seeking a highly motivated Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead large-scale, customer-focused robotics and autonomy programs from inception through deployment and ongoing operations. This role is designed for a technically strong program leader who can own complex delivery efforts for real customers operating in real environments. The ideal candidate brings deep technical understanding, strong execution skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally across engineering, operations, and customer-facing teams to deliver high-quality autonomy-driven solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 4+ years of experience leading complex technical programs in a fast-paced technology environment.
• Strong technical background in software, systems, or hardware engineering.
• Hands-on understanding of autonomy or self-driving software systems (minimum requirement).
• Experience delivering projects involving robotics, embedded systems, or real-time platforms.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive execution without direct authority.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles (SDLC) and Agile methodologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple customer programs simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with mobile robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, or embedded systems.
• Background in data delivery, data capture, security, or system-level integration.
• Experience working closely with field operations or customer deployments in production environments.
• PMP, Scrum Master, or Agile certification.
• Experience in a startup or high-growth company with a strong bias for ownership and execution.
• Comfort acting as a trusted technical partner to customers in high-stakes, real-world deployments.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale, customer-focused robotics and autonomy programs from planning through deployment and operational handoff.
• Act as the technical project lead for customer engagements, owning execution across autonomy software, systems, hardware, data, and operations.
• Translate customer requirements into clear technical plans, milestones, and delivery timelines.
• Drive cross-functional execution with engineering, product, operations, technical support, and customer success teams.
• Oversee operational readiness and field deployments; surface operational issues and ensure they are addressed by the appropriate technical owners.
• Proactively manage project risks, dependencies, and tradeoffs to ensure successful customer outcomes.
• Communicate project status, challenges, and mitigation plans clearly to internal stakeholders and customers.
• Support on-site customer engagements and deployments (up to 30% travel).

Benefits

• We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
• Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance.
• We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment.
• Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.

What This Job Offers

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