Senior Technical Program Manager in San Francisco

Zadar Labs is seeking an experienced Senior Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead the execution of complex, cross-functional programs spanning engineering, product development, manufacturing, and operations teams across the United States and China.

In this role, you will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering strategic technical initiatives from concept through deployment. You will work closely with software, hardware, systems, and operations teams to ensure projects remain aligned with business objectives, customer requirements, and product milestones.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced startup environment, is comfortable managing ambiguity, and can effectively bridge communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders. This position requires close collaboration with teams in both the United States and China, including regular travel to Shanghai and other locations as needed to support product development, manufacturing, supplier engagement, and customer programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of complex technical programs from concept through product launch and deployment.
• Develop and maintain detailed program plans, schedules, milestones, and success metrics.
• Coordinate activities across software, hardware, systems, manufacturing, operations, and product teams.
• Drive alignment among stakeholders in the U.S. and China, ensuring clear communication and accountability.
• Identify, track, and mitigate program risks, dependencies, and critical-path items.
• Facilitate technical discussions, decision-making processes, and issue resolution across multiple teams and time zones.
• Monitor program health and provide regular status updates, executive reporting, and recommendations to leadership.
• Support product development, manufacturing readiness, supplier coordination, and customer delivery activities.
• Continuously improve program management processes, tools, and operational efficiency.

• 5+ years of experience in Technical Program Management, Program Management, Project Management, or a related role.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex, cross-functional technical programs.
• Strong project planning, scheduling, and execution skills using tools such as Jira, Asana, Microsoft Project, or similar platforms.
• Solid understanding of software development lifecycles and Agile methodologies.
• Experience working closely with engineering teams in hardware, software, or embedded systems environments.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into actionable plans, requirements, and communications for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience managing risks, dependencies, schedules, and competing priorities.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, or a related field.
• Experience working with manufacturing partners, suppliers, or international engineering teams is highly desirable.
• Startup experience and comfort operating in a rapidly evolving environment are strongly .
• Fluent Mandarin and English communication skills (written and verbal) are required.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally, including extended stays in China, as business needs require.

• Base salary: $120,000 - $170,000, depending on experience and qualifications
• Relocation assistance
• Equity participation
• Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/Dependent Care FSA, 401(k)
• Daily catered lunch
• Free snacks and beverages in office
• Corporate housing available upon request
• Discounted Bay Club gym membership

Zadar Labs develops next- millimeter-wave radar sensing and perception systems for robotics, industrial automation, automotive, and smart infrastructure applications. Our technology delivers high-resolution, all-weather perception that enables physical AI systems to operate reliably in complex real-world environments where traditional sensors often struggle.

We partner directly with customers deploying autonomous and intelligent systems across transportation, logistics, industrial automation, ports, smart infrastructure, and robotics. Our products are designed for real-world performance and are actively deployed in demanding operational environments where reliability, scalability, and safety are critical.