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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior / Staff Program Manager, Verification and Validation Operations - **Company:** Zoox - **Location:** Foster City, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $183,000.0 - $251,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Systems Engineering, Cloud Computing, Software Documentation, Software Quality, Software Engineering, Verification and Validation (Software), Tools for Reporting - **Published:** July 17, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=93578151a4328627 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Research, Operations Management, or a STEM field * 10+ years of program management experience, with a strong preference for backgrounds that blend technical depth with operational execution * Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale, highly cross-functional programs with significant organizational impact * Comfortable operating in ambiguity - able to structure undefined problems, build frameworks from scratch, and drive toward clarity * Strong stakeholder management and communication skills across engineering, product, and operations audiences * Deeply data-driven - not just tracking metrics but validating them, questioning outputs that don't add up, and pushing back when the data tells the wrong story * Proficient with modern AI tools and workflows (e.g., Gemini, Claude, MCP APIs, cloud-based coding environments) and actively applies them to drive operational efficiency and better decision-making, * Experience in autonomous vehicles, aerospace, ride-hail, robotics, or fleet management * Background in systems engineering, software development, or technical operations * MBA or Master's degree in a STEM field * PMP, PgMP, or equivalent certification * Experience with vehicle testing, validation, or disengagement analysis ## Description Zoox's Fleet Operations Program Management team delivers cross-functional programs critical to the growth, expansion, and efficient operation of our commercial autonomous vehicle service. We partner closely with Fleet Operations and cross-functional stakeholders to verify, validate, and launch new software on our fleet - while continuously maturing our operational processes to deliver a premium customer experience. We're looking for an experienced, forward-thinking Senior / Staff Program Manager to help define and execute strategies that scale our Verification & Validation (V&V) operations. Our testing fleet - hundreds of vehicles across multiple cities and private tracks - is growing rapidly in size and geographic reach. This is a highly cross-functional role operating at the intersection of operations, autonomy, engineering, and product - requiring someone who can navigate technical complexity while driving alignment and execution across a broad set of stakeholders. Expected Travel: 10-15%, * Lead and coordinate large-scale, highly cross-functional programs spanning Autonomy, Product, Infrastructure, Engineering, and Safety teams to drive measurable improvements in fleet efficiency and software quality * Own and drive operational efficiency initiatives that span multiple engineering, field service, and operations teams - identifying bottlenecks, aligning stakeholders, and unblocking downstream execution * Partner with System Design & Mission Assurance and other safety teams to gather and pressure-test requirements - bringing a critical lens to ensure what's being asked for is the right thing to build or prioritize * Champion the adoption of AI and data-driven tools within operations - including building centralized, multi-source reporting systems that surface actionable intelligence from the field and feed into leadership decision-making * Run monthly business reviews (MBRs) with a broad set of stakeholders - synthesizing ground-level signals from market leads and operational locations into clear recommendations on resources, partnerships, and priorities for leadership * Define and track the right operational metrics - not just reporting on what exists, but actively shaping what should be measured and why * Partner with Finance to support operational and financial planning cycles (OP1, OP2, quarterly R&O), ensuring budgets reflect operational needs accurately and efficiently * Lead key efficiency initiatives across our L3 and robotaxi R&D fleets, including improvements in fleet utilization, time-in-autonomy, troubleshooting cycle times, and operational infrastructure * Manage program timelines, resources, and deliverables; proactively identify and mitigate operational and programmatic risks * Create and maintain program documentation and progress reports for senior leadership ## Related Videos - [Green Cloud Computing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/592-green-cloud-computing) - [Let's Talk Quality! - Lilia Gargouri](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1815-let-s-talk-quality-lilia-gargouri) - [Model Based Systems Engineering in an Agile Product Development Process](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/68-model-based-systems-engineering-in-an-agile-product-development-process) - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) - [Automated Driving - Why is it so hard to introduce](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/628-automated-driving-why-is-it-so-hard-to-introduce) - [WebAssembly: The Next Frontier of Cloud Computing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/972-webassembly-the-next-frontier-of-cloud-computing) ## Related Articles - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Why Upskilling And Reskilling is Important For Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/428-why-upskilling-and-reskilling-is-important-for-developers) - [From developer to manager – what does it take to become an engineering manager?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/42-from-developer-to-manager-what-does-it-take-to-become-an-engineering-manager) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies in Europe](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/162-highest-paying-tech-companies-in-europe)