Technical Program Manager, Defense OS

We are looking for a Technical Program Manager to lead programs that bring our software-defined vehicle platform from automotive into naval warships. You will own the plan for adapting a production-proven vehicle OS, middleware, and tooling stack to shipboard environments, working across Applied engineering teams, Navy program offices, shipbuilders, and integration partners. This role sits at the intersection of fast-moving commercial software and complex defense acquisition, and it calls for someone who can bring modern software delivery practices into programs that have historically moved slowly. You will work closely with subject matter experts at Applied and at our customers on a technical level to get capability onto ships and into the hands of sailors., * Define program milestones, manage timelines, budgets, and deliverables for programs adapting our SDV platform to naval vessels. Monitor progress, mitigate risks, and ensure quality

• Develop and execute release plans for software and hardware components, coordinating engineering teams across vehicle OS, middleware, networking, security, and tooling
• Translate shipboard requirements (scale, redundancy, environmental constraints, long service life, and integration with existing ship systems) into clear technical work for engineering teams adapting an automotive-origin stack
• Plan and drive the path to authority to operate, building security and compliance evidence into the delivery pipeline (DevSecOps, continuous ATO) rather than treating accreditation as a one-time gate at the end
• Coordinate integration and test events with shipbuilders, Navy labs, and third-party system vendors, from lab and land-based test sites through shipboard installation
• Serve as a vital point of contact for government and industry customers, understanding requirements, managing expectations, and providing regular updates
• Align technical roadmaps across internal and external teams, identifying where commercial automotive practices can be adopted directly and where naval needs require new work
• Drive problem-solving and decision-making across teams to resolve technical, schedule, and contractual issues

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in technical program management for complex software or software-intensive hardware systems
• Proven experience delivering embedded, vehicle, or platform software programs, ideally involving software-defined vehicles, real-time systems, or safety-critical software
• Experience working directly with defense customers or on DoD programs, and familiarity with how government programs are funded, contracted, and reviewed
• Enough technical depth to engage credibly with engineers on operating systems, middleware, networking, and software release processes
• Ability to execute thoughtfully and efficiently, with a “no task is too big or too small” mindset to get the job done
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, including with senior government and industry stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple programs and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to travel as needed, including to shipyards, Navy facilities, and customer sites
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (active Secret or higher preferred)

Security Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must hold or be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, * Experience with Navy programs or organizations such as NAVSEA, PEO Ships, PEO IWS, or NAVWAR, or experience in shipbuilding and ship systems integration
• Familiarity with the DoD Software Acquisition Pathway, agile and DevSecOps approaches in government programs, and modular open systems approaches (MOSA)
• Understanding of the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and the ATO process, including continuous ATO
• Familiarity with safety and development standards across domains, such as ISO 26262, ASPICE, and MIL-STD-882
• Prior military service, particularly in a shipboard or engineering role
• Prior experience in a startup environment, demonstrating adaptability and a can-do attitude
• Experience with project management tools such as JIRA

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co.