Senior Technical Program Manager - Software Autonomy Safety

The Senior Technical Program Manager - Software Autonomy Safety at Zoox will drive the development of safety analysis tools and infrastructure while coordinating across software and safety teams. Responsibilities include creating tactical plans, managing project schedules, monitoring resource requirements, and reporting on program status effectively. You'll also play a crucial role in risk management, ensuring transparency in problem-solving and decision-making processes.

Candidates for the Senior Technical Program Manager - Software Autonomy Safety at Zoox should possess a BS or MS degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience, alongside at least 7 years of relevant program management or technical leadership experience. Proficiency in tools like JIRA, project planning, and experience with large-scale software development processes are essential. Familiarity with safety-critical systems is a bonus.

The compensation for the Senior Technical Program Manager - Software Autonomy Safety position at Zoox ranges from $172,000 to $273,000 and includes components such as salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may also be included, and the total compensation package will depend on factors such as location, experience, and level.

Zoox offers a comprehensive benefits package for Senior Technical Program Managers, which includes paid time off, health insurance, long-term care insurance, and life insurance. Employees also receive stock options and opportunities for professional growth within a vibrant workplace that values diverse perspectives.

At Zoox, the work culture is characterized by a fast-moving, innovative environment where collaboration and execution are key. As a Senior Technical Program Manager, you'll be part of a team that thrives on challenges and takes pride in developing cutting-edge solutions for urban mobility. The company is committed to diversity, ensuring a range of backgrounds and experiences enrich the team's creativity and success.

When responding, highlight specific instances where you utilized JIRA or similar tools to manage tasks and track project progress. Discuss how you organized issues, assigned tasks among team members, and ensured deadlines were met. Mention any strategies you implemented to enhance team communication through these tools.

Demonstrate your prioritization strategies, such as using data analysis to assess the criticality of tasks, identifying dependencies, and applying risk assessment techniques. Examples of using data to back your decision-making can significantly enhance your answer.

Discuss your ability to create concise, clear reports and presentations that emphasize key metrics and project milestones. Mention your experience in tailoring communication styles to suit various stakeholders and ensuring transparency in addressing risks and issues.

Share a specific example where you recognized a potential risk early on and outline the steps you took to mitigate it. Focus on how you communicated the risk to your team or stakeholders and the strategies implemented to navigate the challenge successfully.

Illustrate your collaborative skills with examples of managing teams from various departments. Focus on your communication style, your approach to establishing shared goals, and how you build strong relationships to facilitate smoother project execution.

Explain how you bridge the gap between strategic objectives and technical specifications. Address your approach to involving cross-functional teams during the planning stages and how you track alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

Discuss your proficiency in utilizing project management methodologies to develop schedules, outlining how you assess task dependencies and milestones. Share tools you use for visualization and tracking progress toward critical paths.

Walk through a specific project you led, emphasizing your role, the challenges you faced, the strategies you implemented, and the successful outcomes achieved. Highlight metrics or feedback received that demonstrate the success of the program.

Reflect on your management style, whether it's servant leadership, transformational, or another approach. Explain how this style fosters team collaboration, increases motivation, and contributes to achieving project goals.

Discuss challenges like navigating competing priorities or ensuring stakeholder buy-in, and describe how you approach these challenges effectively. Focus on your adaptability and problem-solving skills!