Technical Program Manager

Description

Onsite - WA/ Redmond

Job Description:

• We are seeking a dedicated and innovative Technical Program Manager to drive programs focused on optics, display, and VR/AR technology.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation and proficiency in VR/AR display technologies, along with the capacity to manage complex and challenging projects.
• This role requires a candidate who is resilient in finding solutions to hard problems and is adept at building cross-functional relationships and motivating teams to ensure smooth and predictable program execution in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with research, engineering, and business teams to define roadmaps, milestones, and deliverables.
• Partner with technical leads to develop program strategies, prioritize tasks, and achieve OKRs.
• Deliver programs within defined scope, quality, time, and budget while managing moderate risk factors.
• Engage in strategic planning at the program level, interact with executives, resolve complex issues, and foster effective communication and team building.
• Manage internal and external teams, including matrixed employees and contractors, to deliver systems and enhancements.
• Oversee project scope, requirements, scheduling, budgeting, status reporting, risk management, and communication across all organizational levels.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Display, Systems Engineering, Imaging Science, Electronics, Optics, or Physics.
• 5+ years of experience as a Technical Program Manager.
• Proven experience in driving programs within research environments.
• Strong skills in project management, leadership, dependency management, and cross-group collaboration.
• Experience managing external technical engagements with industry and academia.
• Knowledge in display/optics development, manufacturing processes, and systems architecture applications.
• Experience in organizational management, budget control, and headcount management.
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in an engineering or scientific field related to display/optics/imaging.
• Experience with optics and display development projects, particularly in consumer markets.
• Track record of transitioning research or emerging technologies into consumer products.
• Experience working with cross-disciplinary teams, including researchers and software/hardware engineers.

Skills

• Expertise in project estimating, scheduling, customer interaction, and implementation planning.
• Proven ability in people management and team building.
• Strong adaptability, judgment, and priority management.
• Quick learner of business processes and effective communicator with partners at varying levels.
• Strong ability to assess risk and apply management principles to technology applications/products and business functions.
• Experience delivering technology and business solutions in large-scale, multi-platform environments.

Minimum Years of Experience:5+ 

Must-Have Skills

• Strong Technical and Program Management Expertise
• Proven experience driving complex technical programs, especially in research environments related to display, optics, or VR/AR technologies.
• Expertise in project estimating, scheduling, risk management, and delivering within scope, quality, time, and budget constraints.

 Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage internal and external teams, including matrixed employees and contractors.
• Strong skills in dependency management, cross-group collaboration, and stakeholder communication at multiple organizational levels.

Adaptability and Problem-Solving

• Resilience in pursuing solutions to complex and challenging problems.
• Strong judgment and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Nice-to-Have Skills

Advanced Education and Specialized Experience

• Graduate degree in engineering or scientific fields related to display, optics, or imaging.
• Experience with optics and display development projects, especially in consumer markets.

Experience Transitioning Research to Products

• Track record of successfully transitioning emerging technologies from research to consumer products.

 Cross-Disciplinary Team Experience

• Experience working with diverse teams including researchers, software engineers, and hardware engineers.