Job Description

We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it.

The Manager, Technical Program Management for Hardware Platform Development leads the planning and execution of assigned North American hardware computing platform deliverables. This role focuses on aligning internal hardware, electrical, mechanical, validation, and manufacturing teams, while coordinating closely with global engineering, JDM partners, and suppliers to ensure that high-compute vehicle platforms meet functional, performance, cost, and schedule targets.

This leader is responsible for driving program clarity, defining cross-functional expectations, and ensuring timely execution across the hardware development lifecycle—from concept and prototype readiness through design validation, industrialization, and production ramp. The role also manages a team of TPMs, fostering a high-performance culture built on accountability, transparency, and collaboration.

Additionally, this role serves as the Technical Program Manager for the Infotainment hardware program, owning hands-on execution of technical hardware development and working closely with cross-functional engineering teams, vehicle brands (Audi/Porsche/VW), and joint development and manufacturing partners to enable successful execution and production launch of the Infotainment hardware.

Role Responsibilities:

People Leadership

• Lead and develop a TPM team supporting hardware execution
• Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, transparency, and accountability
• Manage staffing, team development, hiring strategy, and performance oversight
• Support career development and enable TPM excellence across the organization

Hardware Program Execution & Cross-Functional Alignment for Infotainment HW

• Drive the end-to-end execution of the high-compute Infotainment hardware platform, ensuring alignment across electrical, mechanical, validation, reliability, and manufacturing team for successful launch.
• Establish technical objectives and integration points with JDM partners, SoC vendors, and internal platform engineering
• Manage risk mitigation plans across thermal, power, mechanical, and validation workstreams
• Coordinate readiness for major hardware development gates (EVT, DVT, PVT)

Supplier, JDM & Manufacturing Partner Coordination

• Oversee partner execution and ensure deliverables meet CARIAD’s technical and quality requirements
• Support sourcing, BOM optimization, and manufacturability topics with supply chain teams
• Facilitate technical reviews, long-lead procurement planning, and production readiness activities
• Track supplier performance, escalate issues, and drive closure on open technical items

Program Planning, Roadmaps & Reporting

• Define maturity expectations, milestones, and long-term hardware roadmaps in collaboration with global HPD leadership
• Build durable tools, processes, and reporting structures for hardware tracking
• Generate executive-level reporting for schedule, risk, cost, dependencies, and readiness

Strategic Projects, Issue Resolution & Risk Management

• Lead structured problem-solving efforts during hardware bring-up, integration builds, and validation
• Drive rapid triage and cross-functional alignment on critical hardware issues
• Define and institutionalize best practices for scale across future hardware generations

​General Skills:

• Excellent communicator able to translate complex technical topics across engineering, manufacturing, and executive stakeholders
• Broad understanding of hardware platform architecture, high-compute ECU requirements, and development lifecycle
• Strong ability to motivate teams, build alignment, and foster a collaborative, productive engineering culture
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing stakeholder interests, establish clear ownership, and build trust across partner teams
• Proven success leading interdisciplinary programs involving hardware, electrical, mechanical, validation, supply chain, and manufacturing partners

​Required Skills:

• Deep knowledge of vehicle hardware development phases (EVT, DVT, PVT) and milestone expectations
• Experience driving safety, regulatory, and EMC-related deliverables for production hardware
• Strong understanding of hardware maturity levels, bring-up, validation strategies, and supplier/manufacturer readiness
• Familiarity with system-level integration between hardware, vehicle networks, and enabling software components
• Proven experience leading programs involving global suppliers, JDM partnerships, or contract manufacturers
• Experience supporting cost, BOM, sourcing, and manufacturability in collaboration with supply chain teams
• Familiarity with risk management for hardware programs (thermal, electrical, power, mechanical, reliability)
• Strong knowledge of Infotainment HW.
• Previous experience of TPM in Infotainment HW domain.
• Previous experience with HW product launch in Automative domain in high volume.

​Desired:

• Detailed understanding of vehicle network topology and in-vehicle computing system interactions
• Experience taking a hardware computing platform through to mass production
• Knowledge of functional safety and cybersecurity concepts as they apply to hardware systems
• Exposure to board-level design, SoC requirements, or embedded compute module development

Years of Relevant Experience:

• 8+ years of experience managing complex hardware or integrated hardware/software programs.
• 4+ years of experience leading people and teams.
• Proven experience delivering high volume automotive hardware products to production.
• Demonstrated success managing global suppliers, JDM partnerships, or contract manufacturers.

​Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Desired Education:

• Master’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline preferred.

Work Flexibility:

• Calls, (virtual) meetings & workshops (overlapping with German business hours as needed) to align with stakeholders and development teams in Germany.

Compensation:

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. In the city of Mountain View, CA, the salary range for this position is $185,400 - $268,830.

CARIAD, Inc. provides performance based merits and annual bonus along with a competitive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match and defined contribution plan, short and long term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment plans, maternity and non-primary caregiver leave, adoption assistance, employee referral program and vacation and paid holidays. We also offer a unique vehicle lease program that covers registration and insurance fees.

CARIAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

Employment with Cariad Inc. is contingent upon the successful completion of this screening process. We emphasize the importance of compliance with export control and sanctions laws as a fundamental aspect of our operations. Our company is dedicated to adhering to these regulations to ensure the lawful and ethical conduct of our business activities. Employment with our company is contingent on either verifying U.S. citizenship or U.S. lawful permanent resident status or obtaining any necessary license or confirming the availability of an applicable exemption or license exception. You, the applicant, will be required to answer certain questions for export control purposes, and that information will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law. Cariad Inc. may choose not to apply for a license or use an applicable license exception (if available) for such individuals whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code may require authorization and may decline to proceed with an applicant on that basis alone.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree to participate in the export control and sanctions compliance screening process. Your cooperation in this matter is essential to our shared success and the integrity of our operations. Thank you for your understanding and commitment to upholding these important standards.