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ZooxZooxFoster City, CA

Staff Technical Program Manager, Powertrain & Thermal

Lead technical programs for vehicle powertrain and thermal systems (batteries, cooling, climate) from concept to production. Requires 12+ years automotive engineering experience, cross-functional project management, and proficiency with CATIA, FMEA, PLM, and root-cause tools.

214k – 257k
On-site12+ YOETechnical Program Management

About the role

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the program and technical lead for the vehicle program across powertrain and thermal system design components, such as high voltage batteries, high voltage systems, component cooling systems, and cabin climate systems.
  • Collaborate with internal engineers and external supplier design teams to ensure cohesive engineering execution.
  • Oversee BOM integrity, approve critical build processes, and drive quality and cost engineering initiatives throughout the supply chain for major assemblies.
  • Develop program schedules and partner with suppliers, quality, procurement, service, manufacturing, and engineering teams to drive complex open issues to closure and ensure on-time delivery.
  • Identify and communicate program progress, engineering challenges, and technical risks while proactively developing and leading strategic mitigation plans across the organization.
  • Lead the root-cause analysis and tracking of critical build and design issues impacting vehicle performance, quality, and production readiness to drive long-term engineering solutions.
  • Influence system designs to optimize performance, cost, quality, manufacturability, and serviceability by leading top-level design reviews, DFMEAs, validation programs, and manufacturing mock-builds.

Requirements

  • B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • 12+ years of deep automotive engineering experience, with a focus on automotive powertrain or thermal system design and project management.
  • Proficiency with advanced automotive engineering tools and methodologies, including CATIA V5/V6, PLM/BOM management, FMEA/FTA, and structured root-cause analysis (8D, Fishbone), and project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, Polarion, Gantt charts, ERP, PLM, ALM).
  • Experience designing for attributes such as crash, NVH, reliability, strength, and corrosion.
  • A proven track record of managing complex cross-functional projects and delivering components via external design suppliers and contract manufacturers.
  • End-to-end New Product Introduction (NPI) experience.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills across all levels, from peers and suppliers to manufacturing and executive management.
  • Ability to travel globally as required.

Nice-to-Haves

  • Familiarity with hardware/firmware product development and vehicle CAN/Firmware.

Skills

CATIAPlmBom ManagementFmeaFtaRoot Cause Analysis8DJiraConfluencePolarionGantt ChartsERPAlmNpiCan

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