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Ai Program Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Western Digital

Principal AI Program Manager

San Jose, CA · On-site

$170K - $227K/yr

Build out CoE enablement assets - playbooks, AI literacy programs, and shared tooling standards * Drive adoption through change management, communications, and training Qualifications Required * 0 ...

Apex Systems

Program Manager

Burbank, CA · Hybrid

$85 - $90/hr

AI Program Manager Location: Burbank, CA (Hybrid - 4 days onsite, 1 day remote) Duration: Contract (12 months, with potential extension) Pay Range : $85-90/hr Role Overview We are seeking an ...

Topcon

Senior Program Manager, AI Enablement

Livermore, CA · On-site

$136K - $136K/yr

Summary Topcon Positioning Systems is seeking a Senior Program Manager, AI Enablement to facilitate enterprise AI initiatives across the organization. This role is responsible for driving the safe ...

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All JobsAi Program JobsAi Program Manager JobsAi Program Manager Jobs in California

Ai Program Manager information

See California salary details

$38K

$106.1K

$154.9K

How much do ai program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for ai program manager in California is $106,053.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Will AI replace program managers?

AI program managers oversee the integration of artificial intelligence into projects, coordinating teams and managing timelines. While AI can automate routine tasks and assist in data analysis, human oversight, strategic decision-making, and stakeholder communication remain essential, making complete replacement unlikely in the near term.

What does an AI program manager do?

An AI program manager oversees the planning, development, and implementation of artificial intelligence projects within an organization. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage project timelines and budgets, and ensure AI solutions meet business objectives, often requiring knowledge of machine learning, data analysis, and project management tools. Their role involves aligning AI initiatives with strategic goals and ensuring successful deployment and integration.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an AI Program Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an AI Program Manager, you need expertise in project management, a strong understanding of AI concepts, and experience leading cross-functional teams, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with machine learning frameworks, cloud platforms, agile methodologies, and certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master are highly valuable. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills set standout professionals apart in this role. These abilities ensure projects are delivered on time, align with business goals, and effectively bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams.

What is the difference between Ai Program Manager vs Data Scientist?

AspectAi Program ManagerData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS, Engineering, or related; experience in AI projectsBachelor's/Master's/PhD in CS, Statistics, or related; strong programming and statistical skills
Work EnvironmentOversees AI projects, collaborates with cross-functional teams, manages timelinesAnalyzes data, develops models, interprets complex datasets
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, AI startups, R&D departmentsTech firms, finance, healthcare, research institutions

While both roles require technical expertise, the Ai Program Manager focuses on overseeing AI initiatives and project management, whereas the Data Scientist concentrates on data analysis and model development. The roles often collaborate but serve different functions within AI projects.

What are some common challenges faced by AI Program Managers when coordinating cross-functional teams?

AI Program Managers often encounter challenges in aligning diverse teams—such as data scientists, engineers, product managers, and business stakeholders—toward shared project goals. Differences in technical backgrounds, communication styles, and priorities can lead to misunderstandings or delays. Successful AI Program Managers proactively facilitate clear communication, set well-defined milestones, and ensure that all team members understand the project's objectives and constraints. Building strong relationships across departments and maintaining adaptability are key strategies for overcoming these challenges.

What is an AI Program Manager?

An AI Program Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and coordinating the planning, execution, and delivery of artificial intelligence projects within an organization. They work closely with data scientists, engineers, stakeholders, and business leaders to ensure AI initiatives align with business goals and are delivered on time and within budget. Their role often includes managing project timelines, resources, communication, and risk, while also keeping up with industry advancements and ensuring ethical AI practices. AI Program Managers bridge the gap between technical teams and business objectives, ensuring successful implementation of AI solutions.

How much does an AI program manager make?

An AI program manager's salary typically ranges from $100,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles or those in high-demand areas can earn higher compensation, often including bonuses and stock options.

What is a $900,000 AI job?

A $900,000 AI job typically refers to high-level roles such as AI executives, senior machine learning engineers, or AI program managers with extensive experience and responsibilities. These positions often require advanced skills in AI development, leadership, and strategic planning, and may include bonuses or stock options that contribute to total compensation.
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Ai Program Manager jobs near you

Staff Program Manager - Enterprise AI

Rubrik Job Board

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

About the team:

The Enterprise AI team is Rubrik's internal AI enablement engine. We evaluate where AI can make a real difference, build the platforms and patterns that make adoption easy, and help engineering teams across the organization work smarter and faster. We operate at the intersection of applied AI, distributed systems, and enterprise operations - our job is to make Rubrik more efficient, one AI-powered workflow at a time.

This is a high-impact, high-autonomy team where you'll work closely with engineering, product, and operations teams across Rubrik to bring AI capabilities to life.

About the role:

As the AI Program Manager on the Enterprise AI team, you'll be the operational backbone that keeps Rubrik's AI initiatives moving with clarity and velocity. You'll own the program management function across all AI workstreams - coordinating cross-functional teams, managing the portfolio of AI pilots and deployments, tracking progress against business outcomes, and ensuring leadership has full visibility into execution status. You bring structure to ambiguity and turn strategic AI goals into delivered results.

What you'll do:
  • Own AI program execution end-to-end - manage the portfolio of AI initiatives across Platform Engineering, Forward Deployed Engineering, Business Operations, and Global Support, ensuring projects move from concept to production on schedule.
  • Drive cross-functional coordination - serve as the connective tissue between engineering, product, security, legal, finance, and business teams to remove blockers, align priorities, and maintain execution momentum.
  • Build and maintain program infrastructure - establish project tracking, status reporting, RAID logs, and communication cadences that give leadership real-time visibility into AI program health.
  • Manage stakeholder communications - prepare executive updates for SLT/ELT, run program reviews, and translate technical progress into business impact narratives.
  • Support resource planning and allocation - partner with team leads to forecast capacity, manage contractor and vendor engagements, and ensure the right people are on the right workstreams.
  • Facilitate AI adoption and rollout - coordinate the rollout of AI tools (Glean, Claude Code, Cowork) across the organization, including change management, training, and feedback loops.
  • Track and report on business outcomes - define success metrics for AI programs, build tracking mechanisms, and ensure initiatives deliver measurable efficiency gains and ROI.
  • Manage vendor and third-party relationships - coordinate with GSI partners and contractors, manage SOWs, and ensure third-party engagements align with program goals and timelines.
Experience you'll need:
  • 12+ years of program or project management experience in technology organizations, with at least 2 years managing AI, ML, or data platform programs.
  • Proven track record managing complex, cross-functional programs with multiple concurrent workstreams and stakeholders.
  • Strong executive communication skills - able to distill complex technical programs into clear status updates, risk assessments, and decision frameworks for leadership.
  • Experience with program management tools and methodologies (Jira, Asana, or similar; Agile, SAFe, or hybrid frameworks).
  • Hands-on experience managing vendor and contractor relationships, including SOW management, performance tracking, and budget oversight.
  • Strong analytical skills - comfortable defining KPIs, building dashboards, and using data to drive program decisions.
  • Experience with change management and enterprise tool rollouts - driving adoption across diverse teams with varying levels of technical maturity.
  • Collaborative, low-ego operator who thrives in fast-paced environments with ambiguity and shifting priorities.
Preferred qualifications:
  • PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program management certification.
  • Experience in enterprise SaaS or cybersecurity companies.
  • Familiarity with AI development workflows, LLM ecosystems, and agent-based architectures.
  • Experience managing FinOps or cost governance programs alongside technical delivery.
  • Background in building PMO functions from scratch - establishing processes, templates, and cadences where none existed.
  • Experience supporting global teams across US and India time zones.

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