Kforce has a client in Foster City, CA that is seeking a Technical Program Manager.
Summary:
You will partner closely with Systems Architects, Safety Specialists, Validation, and other cross-functional teams to drive the authoring of System Technical Specifications (STS), manage System Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (SFMEA) lifecycles, and align diverse stakeholders from industrial design to test track validation.
In this role, you will:
- Orchestrate the Requirements Pipeline: Manage the release train, maturity lifecycle, and governance for all System Technical Specifications (STS) across all program gates; Don't write the specs, but you ensure the Systems Engineers have the cross-functional inputs they need from all stakeholders in order to meet strict vehicle milestone deadlines
- Drive SFMEA Execution & Accountability: Act as the operational owner of the System Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (SFMEA) lifecycle; Schedule and facilitate multi-disciplinary workshops, track open action items to strict closure dates, and ensure safety mitigations are integrated into downstream hardware/software schedules
- Cross-Functional Dependency Mapping: Build and maintain the master dependency matrix linking Studio (styling/packaging), Product, SDMA (Safety), VSE, VI and Validation; Proactively identify and resolve timeline disconnects before they stall engineering progress
- Change Control & Impact Governance: Lead the program management of Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) at the system level; Ensure that when a requirement changes, all affected downstream stakeholders (from firmware to validation teams) are brought to the table to evaluate timeline and resource impacts
- Maturity Gate Tracking & Reporting: Define and track the health metrics of the Systems Engineering team's deliverables (e.g., requirement stability, SFMEA action item burn-down, verification progress); Provide clear, high-density status visibility to executive leadership
- B.S. or M.S. in Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field
- 5+ years of experience as a Technical Program Manager or Systems Engineer in an aerospace, autonomous vehicle, or advanced automotive setting, with a proven track record of driving complex, cross-functional projects from requirements through validation
- Deep, practical familiarity with the systems engineering "V-model" lifecycle, fail-operational architectures, and requirements management frameworks
- Proven experience tracking and driving complex safety workflows, specifically SFMEAs, DFMEAs, FTAs (Fault Tree Analyses), and ISO 26262/MIL-STD-882 compliance
- Strong background in vehicle E/E system design, electrical integration, or managing complex hardware/software interfaces
- Expertise using standard project, change, and configuration management stacks (e.g., JIRA, Smartsheet) alongside requirements management tools and processes (such as Jama, Polarion, or DOORS)
- Demonstrated ability to command a room of highly specialized domain experts (hardware, software, safety, manufacturing), facilitate both technical and non-technical discussions, and drive consensus without direct authority
- Self-motivated and proactive with a strong ability to identify risks before they become blockers; Thrives in rapid design cycles, remaining flexible and highly organized in the face of uncertainty
- Prior experience developing Automotive Systems in Body or Motion Domains (e.g., Brakes, Steering, Suspension or Body Controllers) is a bonus
The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.
Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.
This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.
Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
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