We are seeking a Staff Technical Program & Project Manager to join our client’s leadership team and work directly with the CTO to drive execution across multiple high-impact initiatives. This role blends program-level strategy with hands-on execution and requires a leader capable of operating with high autonomy in a fast-paced, engineering-driven environment. The position’s primary emphasis will be scaling and optimizing our in-house development and assembly shop for a mobile rover program—responsible for material procurement, component fabrication, panel assembly, final build, and system testing. A core responsibility will be driving procurement and supply chain strategy to keep projects on schedule, costs under control, and supplier relationships optimized for speed and quality. In parallel, this role will standardize project roadmaps for the manufacturing engineering team, ensuring automation deployment projects stay on track and cross-functional communication remains seamless. The role will also contribute to select R&D software programs, though this will be a smaller portion of the position.
Position Responsibilities
Program Oversight
- Manage high-priority initiatives across multiple departments reporting to the CTO, with an emphasis on the mobile rover program and automation deployment projects.
Assembly Shop Scaling
- Coordinate procurement, build schedules, testing timelines, and workforce planning to scale the rover assembly line and support machine shop operations.
Procurement & Supply Chain Leadership
- Partner with engineers to align procurement cycles with overall project schedules and milestones.
- Identify, qualify, and onboard alternative suppliers to reduce lead times, mitigate risks, and improve cost structures.
- Negotiate terms for purchasing across the engineering organization, ensuring value and long-term supply chain resilience.
Project Roadmap Standardization
- Develop and maintain standardized roadmaps for diverse automation deployment projects, ensuring clear priorities and alignment across engineering and operations.
Cross-Functional Communication
- Facilitate smooth handoffs between engineering teams and plant operations, ensuring stakeholders remain informed and engaged throughout project lifecycles.
Deadline & Task Management
- Monitor project timelines, track deliverables, and proactively address risks or delays to ensure on-time delivery.
Executive Reporting
- Provide regular progress updates to the CTO and leadership team, synthesizing complex technical and operational data into actionable insights.
Technical Engagement
- Participate in engineering discussions, offering informed perspectives on design, implementation, and deployment considerations.
Software Program Support
- Assist with program management for R&D software initiatives, including the development of a software platform, as needed.
Prerequisites
- 5–8 years in program or project management, preferably in robotics, manufacturing, or industrial automation environments.
- Degree in engineering, manufacturing, or a related technical field strongly preferred; ability to engage in technical discussions is essential.
- Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder programs with minimal direction in high-autonomy settings.
- Proficiency with project management software (Jira, Notion, Asana, or equivalent) and familiarity with Agile and hybrid project delivery methods.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with experience interfacing directly with executives, department heads, and engineers.
- Understanding of manufacturing processes, assembly line scaling, and automation systems deployment.
- Strong organizational skills, proactive risk management, and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Certifications (Preferred, but not Required)
- PMP or PgMP Certification
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or equivalent Agile certification
- Supply Chain Management certification
What the Role Offers
- Competitive salary of $125,000–$170,000 plus performance-based bonus
- Hybrid flexibility with on-site collaboration
- Opportunity to shape the growth of a cutting-edge robotics and automation company
- Direct collaboration with the CTO and senior leadership team
- Exposure to both hardware and software innovation in the industrial automation space
Why Bristol?
Bristol offers access to a skilled workforce, a strategic location for manufacturing and logistics, and proximity to suppliers and partners critical to supporting advanced robotics and automation programs.