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