Job Type: Contract
Contract Length: 6 months
Pay Range: $80-85/hr
Start Date: ASAP
Location: Hybrid – Foster City, CA (at least 3 days in office)
About the Opportunity:
Our client, a leader in Advanced Hardware Engineering and Autonomous Vehicles, is looking for a skilled Technical Program Manager - Systems Engineering to join their team for a 6-month engagement. This project involves supporting the delivery of all autonomous hardware (including sensor integration, telematics, and electrical components) for the future fleet of self-driving vehicles, focusing on the systems engineering aspect of hardware development. 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:
- V-Model Execution: Support the execution of the engineering V-model, ensuring a seamless flow from systems requirements down to subsystem and component requirements, and up through component and systems validation.
- Program Navigation: Act as a Program Navigator to set mission-driven priorities, align teams on shared objectives, and develop an effective business rhythm for system validation and integration milestones.
- Planning & Scoping: Define tasks, resources, and timelines in collaboration with cross-functional teams and suppliers, which includes scoping and facilitating the analyses and experiments needed for architecture and requirements definition.
- Problem Solving: Serve as a Problem Solver by proactively identifying obstacles, seeking root causes, and implementing solutions that drive progress while clearly articulating impacts on upstream and downstream deliverables.
- Consensus & Reporting: Actively invite diverse perspectives to drive consensus across Hardware, Software, Systems Engineering, and Safety teams, and establish standard reports to provide concise communication to key stakeholders on program status, risks, and accomplishments.
We are looking for someone with a proven track record of successful contract engagements. The ideal candidate will have:
- Program Management: 6+ years experience in HW Program Management or Engineering Management, managing cross-functional teams on hardware/software integration in the development phase.
- Systems Expertise: Demonstrated success in defining and executing the systems engineering V-Model, with a track record of connecting high-level product requirements to concrete engineering specifications.
- Industry Experience: Experience in relevant fields such as Automotive, Autonomous Vehicles (AV), Robotics, Aerospace, or Defense.
- Communication & Navigation: Exceptional skill in navigating matrixed environments and providing clear, well-structured, and concise communications tailored to each appropriate audience.
- Tool Proficiency: Proficient in standard project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Gantt charts) and a self-motivated problem-solver with a proven ability to create and organize engineering workflows.
- W2 only (No C2C or 1099 contractors)





