Technical Program Manager

Technical Program Manager   

Parallel Systems is looking for a Technical Program Manager to lead execution across our vehicle hardware, autonomy systems, and enterprise software. This is the first TPM hire at the company - a critical role responsible for keeping engineering efforts aligned as we develop and scale the next generation of autonomous rail vehicles.  

You’ll work cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software teams to track progress, manage timelines, surface risks, and ensure seamless integration across all parts of the system. From tracking hardware builds and test cycles to coordinating software and firmware dependencies, you’ll drive programs that sit at the heart of our product roadmap.  

This role demands strong communication, technical depth, organizational rigor, attention to detail, and a bias for action. You should thrive in fast-paced environments, be comfortable in the details of physical systems, and bring structure to complex, multi-disciplinary development efforts.  

Responsibilities  

• Work with leadership to own and manage the integrated master schedule (IMS) that owns the hardware, software, and product deliveries  
• Coordinate timelines, priorities, and deliverables across hardware, firmware, and software teams for both current and next generation platforms  
• Track milestones, manage risks, and drive resolution on blockers  
• Ensure alignment on requirements between engineering, product, and customer teams  
• Facilitate regular syncs, status reporting, and planning sessions  
• Create and maintain documentation to support clear visibility and execution at all levels  
• Support development and integration of new vehicle generations, enterprise software upgrades, and firmware iterations  

What Success Looks Like  

• After 30 Days: You’ve ramped up on our development processes, tools, and teams, and established a clear understanding of the current vehicle and software stack. You own and maintain the cross-functional integrated master schedule (IMS). You’ve begun managing active programs and created an execution dashboard with forward-looking key timelines.  
• After 60 Days: You’re driving weekly program updates across hardware, software, and firmware teams, surfacing cross-functional risks and pushing clarity on critical path items. You’ve led coordination on at least one major cross-functional release, with a clear post-mortem process in place. You’ve introduced process improvements that enhance visibility and delivery speed. 
• After 90 Days: You’re seen as a go-to partner for program planning and execution across the company. You’ve identified and mitigated future risks for the company across critical path items.   

Basic Qualifications  

• 5+ years of experience in technical program management or engineering program roles  
• Strong technical background with experience working closely with hardware and software teams  
• Experience with product development lifecycles or NPI processes 
• Proven track record of delivering complex, cross-functional programs on time and budget  
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills  
• Experience with program tracking tools like Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, etc. 
• Ability to manage ambiguity and drive clarity in a high-growth startup environment  

Preferred Qualifications  

• Experience in transportation, robotics, or hardware/software integrated systems  
• Experience working with enterprise software platforms or freight industry tools