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Technical Program Manager

Union City, Ca

Company Description

Third Wave Automation is a rapidly growing startup that has demonstrated its core technology components, proven its market fit, and just closed its Series C funding. If you are excited about cutting edge machine learning, robotics that affects the real world, and want to join a company where your skills can have a huge impact, you’ll fit right in. 

Third Wave Automation is applying modern machine learning to materials handling—delivering site-specific forklift navigation and infrastructure-free pallet handling that continuously adapts to changing floor configuration and warehouse demand. 

Job Description

Third Wave Automation is looking for a very experienced Technical Program Manager (TPM) to join our team and help us transition into bringing our core product to a larger market and significantly scaling up our product development and support organization.  This is a role that benefits greatly from an experienced candidate who understands the right blend of process/structure and rapid iteration/innovation.  You will be focused on supporting a market release in 2026 and helping plan, organize, track and manage the efforts for successful launch and support.  

We are at a critical inflection point. TWA's market-leading solution is ready to scale, and we need leaders ready to build what's next. You will help pioneer new solutions while driving the operational maturity to support our rapid growth. Your contributions will be central to both shaping our product roadmap and defining our success.

How You Can Make an Impact

  • Drive program execution from concept to launch, ensuring on-time delivery and alignment with both business goals and customer needs.
  • Define and refine our program management processes, tools, and best practices to guide product development and improve efficiency in manufacturing, delivery, and operational readiness.
  • Act as the central communication hub, ensuring clear and consistent alignment on project scope, timelines, and dependencies across engineering, product, and business teams.
  • Proactively manage and mitigate risks, resolving blockers and adapting to changing priorities while keeping stakeholders, including senior leadership, informed of program status.
  • Establish and track KPIs and other key metrics to ensure transparency, accountability, and successful system-level program execution.
  • Serve as a key point of contact for our development and OEM partners as needed, ensuring seamless external collaboration

Desired Qualifications

  • 7+ years of progressive experience in technical program management, with a track record of successfully leading complex hardware and software programs from concept through to mass production
  • Demonstrated experience navigating the full product development lifecycle in both a fast-paced startup environment and a structured corporate setting
  • Deep technical proficiency that allows for effective communication with and influence over engineering teams. This includes a clear understanding of hardware and software architectures, dependencies, and trade-offs
  • Proven expertise in various program management methodologies (e.g. Agile, Scrum, Stage-Gate) and the ability to define, implement, and tailor the most suitable processes for different projects
  • Exceptional communication and leadership skills with the ability to build consensus, manage conflict, and align diverse cross-functional teams (engineering, product, business) without direct authority
  • Experience operating with a high degree of autonomy to proactively identify and mitigate program risks, resolve blockers, and manage multiple concurrent programs

Bonus Points For 

  • 10+ years of experience leading large technically complex projects
  • Experience with PLM and stage gate development processes
  • Experience managing programs involving complex, safety-critical systems or products requiring formal certifications.
  • Familiarity with the development of robotics technologies, including machine learning, computer vision, or sensor controls.
  • Experience in the vehicle systems industry, understanding its unique development cycles and challenges.
  • Familiarity with product management tools and processes, including feature prioritization, roadmapping, and release planning.

The pay range for this position is $170,000 - $225,000/yr+ benefits+equity; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  Base pay information is based on market location.

More About Working Here

Our Core Values:

  • Safety. We consider safety in everything we do.
  • People. We care about our teammates as people.
  • Encouragement. We encourage teaching, asking questions, and sharing opinions.
  • Transparency. We are transparent and sincere in our actions.

A robust set of benefits and perks:

  • Comprehensive benefits. Health, Dental, Vision, and a 401k matching program, to boot!
  • Flexible working schedule. Be productive when you work best.
  • Show & Tell. We love to learn from one another, and see the cool stuff everyone is working on!
  • Meals are covered. Lunch is provided every day, and dinner for those evenings that run long.
  • Stacks of snacks. Donuts are a main food group, and the snack shelf is always stocked with a wide variety of items.
  • Great teammates. One of the best parts of working here!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We value each person's expertise and experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 

All qualified applicants able to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

 

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