Platform Technical Program Manager (TPM) - Autonomous Systems Verification & Validation (V&V)
Position Description
Purpose
The Platform Technical Program Manager (TPM) - Autonomous Systems Verification & Validation (V&V) drives the programmatic execution of the testing lifecycle to ensure the safety, compliance, and real-world performance of the full autonomous driving stack.
The TPM will lead the program execution, roadmap planning, and cross-functional delivery of autonomous driving (AV) stack integration, end-to-end validation, and test campaigns across platform engineering work-stream groups that includes sensor-to-actuator performance, motion control algorithms, EV testing and downstream vehicle dynamics across virtual and physical domains.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Program & Milestone Management: Own the end-to-end delivery schedule for autonomous stack integrations, motion control releases, and vehicle-level bring-ups.
- Cross-Functional Orchestration: Align software, hardware (ECUs, sensors, actuators), systems engineering, and test/validation teams to remove blockers and track dependencies. Proactively resolve bottlenecks and critical path dependencies by orchestrating timely cross-functional communication using real-time channels, working sessions and structured escalation paths.
- Requirements & Traceability Tracking: Ensure complete traceability from high-level safety and system requirements down to execution & verification and validation (V&V) reports.
- Simulation-to-Vehicle Correlation: Track the progress of scenario-based testing, ensuring metrics and performance gaps between virtual/HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) simulation and real-world test tracks are actively closed.
- Risk & Issue Management: Drive triage for multi-disciplinary bugs and manage risk mitigation plans for critical path milestones.
- Stakeholder Communication: Provide clear, data-driven status updates, KPI tracking, and roadmap visibility to engineering leadership and customers. Manage and monitor the progress and budget of multiple projects
- Proactively identifies and drives continuous improvement for engineering efficiency across platform groups. Build new processes that improve organization, traceability and clarity.
- Build dashboards and other visualizations within existing toolsets to make it easier for all stakeholders to interpret test results & progress.
- Support workstream leaders by tracking project metrics, managing risks, and developing mitigation plans, while directly presenting status reports to the customer.
- Drive internal work-stream meetings and spearhead organizational initiatives to ensure cross-functional alignment and progress.
- Support TRC Inc.'s Quality and EH&S (Environmental, Health, and Safety) efforts
- *TRC Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer and is willing to make a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job.
- Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering with at least 8+ years of experience
- Project Management Professional or equivalent certification is highly preferred.
- Proven track record working within an Automotive Tier-1 supplier or OEM environment, managing full-lifecycle automotive product development.
- Strong foundational background in Verification & Validation (V&V) processes, deeply utilizing the systems engineering V-model & Agile framework.
- Direct experience overseeing or managing Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), and Model-in-the-Loop (MIL) testing environments.
- Comprehensive knowledge of automotive safety and compliance standards, including ISO 26262 (Functional Safety), ASPICE, and APQP/PPAP processes.
- Mastery of engineering requirement, traceability, and defect tracking tools such as Jira, Jama or Github.
- Strong problem-solving capabilities, good attention to detail, organization skills and ability to think systemically
- Excellent written & verbal communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to communicate technical information concisely and effectively
- Demonstrate strong fluency with JIRA and ability to manage the full V&V cycle and build reports and dashboards
- Travel to off-site customers and testing sites (<20%) is required
- Ability to complete and pass all internal, position specific job and safety trainings required
- Valid state DMV issued or valid foreign country issued driver's license
Working conditions
- Standard office, climate controlled environment
- Some travel is required
- May be exposed to temperatures below 0 degree and above 95 degrees
- May be exposed to inclement weather
- May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, such as gas, oil, and paint
Physical requirements
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position for an extended period of time
- Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment
- Ability to communicate with customers and co-workers
Disclaimer
It is the policy of TRC Inc. to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment practices, without regard to race, color, caste, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic conditions), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran or military status, medical leave or other types of protected leave (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other characteristic protected by state or federal anti-discrimination law covering employment.