Vice President, Strategic Program Management Office – SPMO

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +2 more states.

📋 Description

• Build, lead, and expand the Strategic Program Management Office, which includes hiring, mentoring, and managing the performance of Technical Program Managers.

• Develop and implement a consistent program management methodology, tools, and processes across new product launches and various business programs.

• Take ownership of portfolio-level sequencing, resource allocation, interdependencies, and trade-offs within the product roadmap.

• Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, finance, and commercial leaders on milestones and commitments.

• Establish and conduct executive program reviews, providing data-driven status updates, risk assessments, and decision-making recommendations for the COO and executive team.

• Identify programs at risk, drive recovery strategies, and resolve cross-functional obstacles.

• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for schedule, cost, quality, and scope.

• Advocate for change management and process maturity as the company scales to high-volume production.

• Manage program budgets and resource distribution in collaboration with Finance and functional leaders.

• Represent program management in strategic planning, new product introduction (NPI) governance, and annual operating plans.

• Mentor and develop Technical Program Managers (TPMs) and directly intervene in at-risk programs.

• Act as the primary link between functional teams and executive leadership.

⛳️ Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in technical program or project management.

• 5+ years in a leadership role managing program or technical program managers.

• Proven experience leading NPI or new product development (NPD) programs in hardware, robotics, automotive, aerospace, or complex electromechanical products.

• Demonstrated success in establishing or scaling a PMO/SPMO within a rapidly growing or evolving organization.

• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate status, risks, and trade-offs to C-suite and board-level audiences.

• In-depth knowledge of stage-gate processes, risk management, critical path/schedule management, and earned value management or equivalent methodologies.

• Experience collaborating across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and quality in a hardware product environment.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field.

• PMP, PgMP, or an equivalent program management certification is preferred.

• Preferred experience in robotics, humanoid/mobile robotics, or advanced automation.

• Preferred experience with transitioning hardware and integrated software from pilot production to volume manufacturing ramp.

• Familiarity with program management tools such as Smartsheet, Jira, Monday, or similar platforms, along with portfolio reporting dashboards.

• Current authorization to work in the United States.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive base salary.

• Company stock options.

• 401(k) plan with a 6% company match.

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, and short/long-term disability insurance for employees.

• Benefits eligibility starting on the first day of employment.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Flexible, unlimited paid time off (PTO) and 12 company holidays, including a winter shutdown, for exempt employees.

• 10 vacation days, paid sick leave, and 12 company holidays, including a winter shutdown, annually for non-exempt employees.

• Catered lunches four times a week and healthy snacks and refreshments at Salem and Pittsburgh locations.

• Generous paid parental leave programs.

• Flexible work arrangements.

• Professional development and tuition reimbursement programs.

• Relocation assistance for eligible positions.

• Annual discretionary bonus for qualifying roles.

• Opportunity to influence program management at a leading robotics company.

• Direct collaboration with the COO and executive leadership.