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# Technical Program Manager

- **Company:** Foundation Inc
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $150,000.0 - $280,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Hardware Design, Kinematics, Software Systems
- **Published:** October 27, 2026
- **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/technical-program-manager-foundation-company-10584738

## About the Role

* 3 (minimum for Senior) to 10+ years spanning hands-on engineering and technical leadership (TPM, engineering management, or equivalent) on complex multidisciplinary products.
 * Proven track record delivering integrated hardware-electronics-software systems from concept through manufacturing release.
 * Strong technical fluency grounded in real build experience - able to recognize when a decision requires more rigor vs when to move fast.
 * First-principles thinking with sound instincts for strategic tradeoffs (e.g., buy vs. build, specialization vs. generalization).
 * Experience with mechanical systems involving motion, kinematics, sensing, and closed-loop control, and software for embedded or hardware-adjacent systems.Strong bias for ownership and clarity in ambiguous environments.
 * Experience with iterative, incremental hardware development in fast-moving or startup contexts.
 * Demonstrated ability to structure ambiguous programs - breaking them down into fundamental components, dependencies, and a fast cycle-time execution model.
 * Strong executive presence and communication - trusted by both technical teams and leadership.
 * High EQ and sound judgment navigating complex people dynamics across technical organizations.
 * BS or higher in relevant engineering field, or equivalent experience
 * Experience driving reliability growth, scaling readiness, and manufacturing release processes.

## Description

* Shape the vision and strategy of our vehicle program, working directly with engineering leadership to define product priorities, technical roadmaps, and long-term development goals.
 * Own end-to-end program execution, from early prototype development through production, with the authority to drive priorities, resolve blockers, and influence critical decisions.
 * Help define what we build, not just how we build it, contributing to product requirements, performance targets, engineering tradeoffs, and strategic direction.
 * Drive high-impact technical and business decisions, balancing performance, cost, schedule, risk, and manufacturability to determine the best path forward.
 * Lead cross-functional execution across Mechanical, Electrical, Software, AI, Operations, and Leadership, aligning teams around a shared vision and measurable outcomes.
 * Play a central role in resource allocation and strategic planning, influencing engineering investments, development priorities, supplier strategies, and build-versus-buy decisions.
 * Own the transition from prototype to production, defining development milestones, validation strategies, manufacturing readiness, and the processes required to scale.
 * Work directly with company leadership on the program's biggest challenges, with the autonomy to identify opportunities, propose solutions, and drive meaningful organizational change.