Technical Program Manager - R&D Testing

Title: Technical Program Manager - R&D Testing
Job Type: Contract
Contract Length: 6+ months
Target Start Date: ASAP
Work Location/Structure: Onsite - Foster City, CA

About the Opportunity:

Our client, a leader in the Autonomous Vehicle industry, is looking for a skilled Technical Program Manager - R&D Testing to join their team for a 6+ month engagement. This project involves overseeing holistic testing operations, focusing on smooth operational execution, organizational interaction, and efficiency of testing, as well as managing relationships with external testing providers. This is a high-impact role that requires a self-motivated professional who can hit the ground running and deliver results quickly.

Key Responsibilities & Deliverables:

This role is focused on the successful completion of specific tasks and deliverables. Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and iterating on the strategy for R&D testing with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Organizing a document management system for testing processes and ensuring roles and responsibilities are clear.
• Ensuring operations teams have the proper resources to meet testing requirements.
• Establishing standard reports and program meetings to communicate status, issues/risks, and accomplishments to stakeholders.
• Managing relationships with external testing providers, including proving grounds and test equipment suppliers.
• Defining and managing the budget for test tracks, test equipment, and other resources.
• Maintaining a strong technical understanding of vehicle platforms, software lifecycle, clearance processes, and test operations.

Required Skills & Experience:

We are looking for someone with a proven track record of successful contract engagements. The ideal candidate will have:

• At least 5 to 8 years of experience in engineering, program management, or management consulting.
• Experience with scheduling and coordinating of assets.
• An ability to keep the big picture in focus and to provide clear, well-structured, and concise communications.
• Proficiency in tools or processes required to manage complex projects (e.g., Gantt charts, risk matrix, Smartsheet, JIRA).
• Excellent written, presentation, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create visualizations of KPIs and program risks.
• BS or MS degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent experience.