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Automotive Program Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

V2X

Automotive Training Program Manager

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$120K - $140K/yr

The Automotive Technical Training Program Manager (PM) provides strategic leadership, operational planning, and financial management for programs ranging in size from $2M to $10M annually. The PM ...

Luminit

Program & Certification Manager

Torrance, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

... automotive program portfolio as programs evolve. Key Responsibilities Program Execution ... Manage milestone-based deliverable cadence and align deliverables with contractual and billing ...

Best Buddies Int. Inc

Program Manager

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$42K - $44K/yr

Access to an automobile with applicable insurance or other reliable transportation Job Duties ... Jobs program. * Manage state citizen matches and support/cultivate corporate chapters. * Host ...

Best Buddies Int. Inc

Program Manager

Fresno, CA · On-site

$42K - $44K/yr

Access to an automobile with applicable insurance or other reliable transportation Job Duties ... Jobs program. * Manage state citizen matches and support/cultivate corporate chapters. * Host ...

Waymo

NPI Program Manager

Mountain View, CA · On-site

Serve as the primary point of contact between Waymo and automotive supplier partners * Co-ordinate ... Monitor and manage program finances through diligent budget preparation and oversight * Lead ...

Waymo

Program Manager, Expansion

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

Waymo's Technical Program Managers and Program Managers are accountable for Waymo's roadmap ... Expertise within autonomous vehicles or automotive space * Experience scaling businesses

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All JobsAutomotive Program JobsAutomotive Program Manager JobsAutomotive Program Manager Jobs in California

Automotive Program Manager information

See California salary details

$38K

$106.1K

$154.9K

How much do automotive program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for automotive 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.

What does an automotive program manager do?

An Automotive Program Manager oversees the planning, execution, and delivery of automotive projects, such as vehicle development or component integration. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage timelines and budgets, and ensure that project goals align with company objectives and customer requirements. Their role involves communicating with stakeholders, mitigating risks, and ensuring that quality standards are met throughout the project lifecycle.

What are some typical challenges faced by automotive program managers when coordinating cross-functional teams?

Automotive Program Managers often encounter challenges such as aligning the goals and timelines of diverse teams, including engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and quality assurance. Coordinating these groups requires strong communication and negotiation skills to resolve conflicts and keep projects on schedule. Additionally, managing changes in project scope—often due to evolving customer requirements or regulatory updates—demands adaptability and effective risk management. Building strong relationships and maintaining transparency with all stakeholders is key to overcoming these hurdles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive program manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automotive Program Manager, you need expertise in project management, automotive engineering principles, and a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with project management software (like MS Project), automotive design tools (such as CAD), and relevant certifications (such as PMP) is often required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential for managing cross-functional teams and meeting project deadlines. These skills ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards in a highly competitive industry.

What is the difference between Automotive Program Manager vs Automotive Engineer?

AspectAutomotive Program ManagerAutomotive Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Business or related field; PMP or project management certifications often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical, Automotive, or Electrical Engineering; Professional Engineer (PE) license optional
Work EnvironmentProject teams, cross-functional departments, management meetingsDesign labs, testing facilities, R&D departments
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, suppliers, and OEMsAutomotive manufacturers, R&D centers, engineering firms
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding project management roles in automotive industryUnderstanding engineering roles in automotive development

Automotive Program Managers focus on overseeing vehicle development projects, coordinating teams, and ensuring timely delivery. Automotive Engineers are involved in designing, testing, and improving vehicle components. Both roles are essential in the automotive industry but differ in responsibilities and focus areas.

What are popular job titles related to Automotive Program Manager jobs in California?

For Automotive Program Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Automotive Program Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Automotive Program Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Automotive Program Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Automotive Program Manager job openings:

Automotive Program Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Automotive Program Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $106,053 per year, or $51 per hour.

Customer Program Manager - Automotive

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

NVIDIA Gruppe
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees
Learn more about NVIDIA Gruppeexternal

$250/hr

Other

Posted 21 days ago

Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 247 rated software companies

Job description

At NVIDIA, we are passionate about AI and automotive technologies.

Responsibilities
  • Lead customer‑facing automotive programs involving AI, data science, ADAS, autonomous driving, in‑cab AI, perception, simulation, or software‑defined vehicle platforms.
  • Partner with customers and internal teams to define and execute data campaign initiatives, including data collection goals, sensor coverage, scenario targets, edge‑case discovery, labeling needs, dataset readiness, and feedback loops into model development.
  • Define program schedules, achievements, and work based on the customer roadmap and requirements.
  • Translate customer requirements into specific tasks for all functional areas and actively collect, track and drive all issues to closure.
  • Communicate issue status to the customer and internal teams located in different geographical zones.
  • Identify and accurately represent the priority of issues and raise them appropriately.
  • Work closely with engineering, quality, logistics and the Sales team to resolve technical and logistic issues.
  • Regularly communicate program status and key issues to customer and Nvidia management.
Qualifications
  • 12+ years of experience in project/program management in the Automotive or Embedded Industry for electrical/electronic and software products.
  • Strong technical background and experience working with customers in an OEM environment.
  • Experience handling global projects with multinational program members.
  • BS/MS or equivalent experience in Engineering or Computer Science, MBA with prior technical background.
  • Understanding of machine learning and data science workflows, including data ingestion, labeling, feature analysis, model training, evaluation, validation, and deployment.
  • Experience supporting or leading data campaign initiatives for automotive, robotics, autonomy, perception, mapping, simulation, or other AI‑heavy domains.
  • Exposure to ML Ops, data operations, cloud AI infrastructure, GPU‑accelerated training, simulation pipelines, synthetic data, or large‑scale data management.
Benefits

Base salary range: 200,000USD – 322,000USD per year. Eligible for equity and other benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employment

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proudly provides equal employment opportunities. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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What Nvidia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

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