About this role.
Serve Robotics seeks a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead planning, execution, and process improvement for integrated hardware, software, manufacturing test, and robot-deployment programs. The role coordinates mechanical, electrical, embedded, systems, manufacturing, operations, product, and business stakeholders through feature development, upgrades, and new product initiatives. It requires an engineering background, 3–5 years of relevant program-management experience, and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences. Robotics or autonomous-systems experience, especially with products operating in public spaces and subject to regulatory considerations, is a strong advantage.
Role DNA
A quick view of the complexity, pace, ownership and collaboration implied by the job description.
Job Complexity
4/5Pace & Pressure
4/5Autonomy Level
4/5Communication Load
5/5Salary analysis
Estimated compensation compared with the broader US market for similar roles.
Core skills
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Sample interview questions
I would establish an integrated plan with shared milestones, interface owners, dependency tracking, and readiness criteria for each subsystem. I would run regular cross-functional reviews to surface blockers early, document decisions, and use risk-based escalation when a dependency threatens the critical path.
I would first facilitate requirements alignment with product, engineering, operations, and relevant business stakeholders. Then I would define scope, success metrics, technical assumptions, milestones, resourcing, risks, and validation plans, while clearly separating committed deliverables from open decisions.
For engineering teams, I provide detailed dependency, risk, and execution information with clear owners and next actions. For leaders, I summarize progress against milestones, key decisions, material risks, and requests for support, focusing on business impact rather than unnecessary implementation detail.
I would baseline measures such as milestone predictability, cycle time, blocker age, change-request volume, test pass rates, and defect escape rates. I would also gather qualitative feedback from teams to ensure the process improves clarity and delivery rather than creating administrative overhead.
I would quickly assess technical impact, available mitigations, affected milestones, and operational consequences with the responsible engineering leads. I would present clear options—such as a phased release, workaround, scope adjustment, or schedule change—then align stakeholders on the decision and maintain transparent communication through resolution.
At Serve Robotics, we’re reimagining how things move in cities. Our personable sidewalk robot is our vision for the future. It’s designed to take deliveries away from congested streets, make deliveries available to more people, and benefit local businesses.
The Serve fleet has been delighting merchants, customers, and pedestrians along the way in Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago while doing commercial deliveries. We’re looking for talented individuals who will grow robotic deliveries from surprising novelty to efficient ubiquity.
Who We Are
We are tech industry veterans in software, hardware, and design who are pooling our skills to build the future we want to live in. We are solving real-world problems leveraging robotics, machine learning and computer vision, among other disciplines, with a mindful eye towards the end-to-end user experience. Our team is agile, diverse, and driven. We believe that the best way to solve complicated dynamic problems is collaboratively and respectfully.
This role will be focused on overseeing the planning, execution, and optimization of complex technical projects related to the company’s hardware, software, manufacturing test, and deployment efforts. The TPM will help coordinate efforts across mechanical, electrical, embedded, systems, manufacturing, and operations teams to ensure smooth hand-offs and efficient delivery of components, robots, and software. The TPM will need to deeply understand technical systems and processes to identify potential roadblocks and drive continuous improvement initiatives. The role will also help develop and implement processes to help the organization streamline and advance initiatives to help with robot upgrades, product development processes, and new feature development.
Responsibilities
Define project scope, timelines, milestones, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies for various hardware and software projects including robot feature development, continuous upgrade projects, and new product development.
Lead and coordinate efforts across hardware and software engineering teams, product managers, operations teams, and business stakeholders
Gather requirements, align priorities, and communicate project status updates effectively.
Develop and implement processes that streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
Help teams set up and execute sprints to effectively prioritize and track work.
Analyze and update existing processes and identify areas for optimization and improvement.
Coordinate broad communication efforts to keep all teams informed and aligned.
Create detailed project documentation, including technical specifications, roadmaps, project plans, and status reports to maintain transparency and accountability.
Qualifications
BS degree in Mechanical, electrical, mechatronics or another equivalent engineering discipline
3-5 years of experience in engineering program management, or technical program management
3-5 years experience with hardware, systems,, or autonomous systems development processes
Experience successfully articulating technical concepts to both technical and non-technical partners
Strong track record of managing complex cross-functional projects and shipping product features in a production environment
Experience building strong working relationships with senior leaders and engineers across functions and departments
Ability to keep the big picture in focus and to provide clear, well-structured, and concise communications tailored to each appropriate audience
What Makes You Stand Out
MS degree in Mechanical, electrical or another equivalent engineering discipline
Experience in robotics and autonomous systems, especially ones running in public spaces
Experience with products that include policy or regulatory aspects
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