Program Manager, Robot Industrial Design

JOB TITLE: Program Manager, Robot Industrial Design
LOCATION: Foster City, CA (Hybrid; 4 days in office/week)
PAY RANGE: $58 - $68/hr.
DURATION: 6 Months

TOP 3 SKILLS:

• 4+ years of experience in program management, operations or project coordination; automotive, consumer product, or design background preferred.

• Strong background partnering with Industrial Designers on hardware projects from concept through production.

• Successful track record of managing complex cross-functional projects.

Job Description:
Robot Industrial Design defines how autonomous mobility is experienced through form, function, and interaction. We believe the future of mobility demands more than a new vehicle; it requires a fundamentally new product philosophy built around people, technology, and seamless integration. Our design team works from first principles to create products that are human-centered, technically sophisticated, and uncompromising in their purpose.

As Program Manager, Robot Industrial Design, you will drive alignment across internal and cross-functional design studio initiatives, ensuring priorities, milestones, and deliverables are clearly defined, supported, and effectively communicated across stakeholder groups. You will lead the coordination and execution of key studio programs by managing timelines, tracking deliverables, identifying dependencies and risks, and driving clear communication around progress, priorities, and decisions. Partnering closely with design, engineering, product, brand, and manufacturing teams, you will maintain alignment on project goals, expectations, and execution strategies while enabling teams to move efficiently through critical development phases. This role requires a highly organized, collaborative, and execution-focused individual with a proven track record of managing cross-functional programs and building strong relationships across leadership and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities:

• Drive alignment across company-wide and internal team initiatives, ensuring milestones, priorities, and deliverables are clearly communicated and supported across stakeholder groups.
• Partner with design leadership to develop and manage comprehensive project plans that define scope, expectations, timelines, and key deliverables for studio programs.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with project stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities, execution plans, dependencies, and expectations.
• Surface risks and blockers early, drive transparency around challenges, and partner with teams to proactively implement mitigation plans.
• Support design leadership with financial planning, budgeting, and resource tracking activities.
• Own agendas for weekly reviews, distribute materials to attendees (including executive leadership), and highlight key decisions needed to remove bottlenecks and reduce risk.
• Support team syncs by consolidating agenda topics, surfacing studio initiatives, and tracking upcoming deadlines and priorities.
• Partner with administrative support to coordinate leadership and team meetings in alignment with project priorities and development milestones.

Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience in program management, operations or project coordination; automotive, consumer product, or design background preferred.

• Strong background partnering with Industrial Designers on hardware projects from concept through production.

• Successful track record of managing complex cross-functional projects.
• Proficiency in tools required to manage complex projects.
• Extraordinary organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with company leadership and technical professionals across functions and departments.
• Ability to ask questions and learn quickly.
• Solution-oriented approach to obstacles.

BENEFITS SUMMARY: Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate or annual salary only, unless otherwise stated. In addition to base compensation, full-time roles are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Commuter and 401K benefits with company matching.

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