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Automotive Program Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Program Manager

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$100K - $189K/yr

... and automotive. Position: Program Manager Location: Santa Clara, CA Amphenol High Speed Products Group is the market leader for high speed, high bandwidth electrical connectors for the Telecom ...

Program Manager

San Jose, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

... and storage, automotive and clean technology sectors. Sanmina Corporation has facilities ... program or order. Responsible for customer management and satisfaction, order management and ...

Program Manager

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$100K - $189K/yr

... and automotive. Position: Program Manager Location: Santa Clara, CA Amphenol High Speed Products Group is the market leader for high speed, high bandwidth electrical connectors for the Telecom ...

NPI Program Manager

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$230K - $284K/yr

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 ...

Technical Program Manager

Foster City, CA · On-site

$79.78 - $88.64/hr

What You'll Do * Own end-to-end program management for embedded firmware development across ... Background in automotive, consumer electronics, or similarly complex hardware products strongly ...

Technical Program Manager, Battery

Irvine, CA · On-site

$138K - $179K/yr

Solid knowledge of automotive product development and launch processes, including DV/PV, APQP, and PPAP * Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical programs involving multiple stakeholders ...

Technical Program Manager, Battery

Fremont, CA · On-site

$141K - $182K/yr

Solid knowledge of automotive product development and launch processes, including DV/PV, APQP, and PPAP * Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical programs involving multiple stakeholders ...

Technical Program Manager, Battery

Irvine, CA · On-site

$138K - $179K/yr

Solid knowledge of automotive product development and launch processes, including DV/PV, APQP, and PPAP * Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical programs involving multiple stakeholders ...

Technical Program Manager

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

$213K - $279K/yr

Technical Program Manager - positions offered by Ford Motor Company (Palo Alto, California). Note ... Master's degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Automotive ...

Technical Program Manager

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$213K - $279K/yr

Technical Program Manager - positions offered by Ford Motor Company (Palo Alto, California). Note ... Master's degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Automotive ...

Technical Program Manager -- Firmware

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$153K - $198K/yr

What You'll Do * Own end-to-end program management for embedded firmware development across ... Background in automotive, consumer electronics, or similarly complex hardware products strongly ...

Technical Program Manager -- Firmware

San Jose, CA · On-site

$151K - $195K/yr

What You'll Do * Own end-to-end program management for embedded firmware development across ... Background in automotive, consumer electronics, or similarly complex hardware products strongly ...

Showing results 21-40

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:

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.

Technical Program Manager

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Ford Motor Company
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

$213K - $279K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Ford Motor Company rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 528 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 45 rated automakers


Job description

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. We also believe in providing you with the freedom to define and realize your dreams. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career potential as you help us define tomorrow's transportation.

Do you have what it takes to make smart vehicles for a smart world? Join the Ford Product Development team. Utilizing Design Thinking & User Experience methods, you'll work to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We're seeking forward-thinking, laser-focused professionals with a passion for bringing innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to such advancements as autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!

You'll have... 

Master's degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Automotive Engineering or a related field and 3 years of experience in the job offered or a related occupation.   3 years of experience with each of the following skills is required: 1. Using Project Management software to define and track timelines of deliverables from cross-functional teams. 2. Managing integration for automotive projects involving dependencies between multiple teams. 3. Defect management, triaging issues across large scale cross-functional teams. 4. Hands-on experience in automotive embedded systems and software development process.  2 years of experience with each of the following skills is required: 1. Using Jama as centralized tool for tracking program requirements. 2. Using Tableau to visualize raw data for status and metrics reporting. 3. Using Jira, IBM Rational Team Concert, or similar tools to breakdown specific components for delivery, including experience collaborating and assigning tasks. 4. Leading software readiness reviews for automotive software releases.

We are offering a salary of $213,512.00 - $279,225.00/yr. 

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

For a detailed look at our benefits, click here:

https://fordcareers.co/LL6

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

#LI-DNI

#DNP

Master's degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Automotive Engineering or a related field and 3 years of experience in the job offered or a related occupation.   3 years of experience with each of the following skills is required: 1. Using Project Management software to define and track timelines of deliverables from cross-functional teams. 2. Managing integration for automotive projects involving dependencies between multiple teams. 3. Defect management, triaging issues across large scale cross-functional teams. 4. Hands-on experience in automotive embedded systems and software development process.  2 years of experience with each of the following skills is required: 1. Using Jama as centralized tool for tracking program requirements. 2. Using Tableau to visualize raw data for status and metrics reporting. 3. Using Jira, IBM Rational Team Concert, or similar tools to breakdown specific components for delivery, including experience collaborating and assigning tasks. 4. Leading software readiness reviews for automotive software releases.

We are offering a salary of $213,512.00 - $279,225.00/yr. EOE.

This Job Notice is posted as a result of the filing of an application for permanent alien labor certification for the relevant job opportunity. Any person may provide documentary evidence bearing on the application to the Certifying Officer at the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-5311, Washington, DC 20210.

Note, this is a hybrid position whereby the employee will work both from home and from the aforementioned worksite. Hence, the employee must live within a reasonable commuting distance from the worksite.  Lead and manage multiple validation and verification activities, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project plans. Develop and maintain detailed program plans, schedules, and budgets. Ensure alignment between testing activities and project timelines, milestones, and resource allocation. Manage dependencies for the engineering team including procurement of test platforms and equipment in support of test execution. Provide guidance to the V&V team, fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement. Lead internal bug triage meetings where next steps of all open issues are identified and assigned. Coordinate with other teams, including development, product management, and operations, to align V&V activities with overall project goals. Communicate program status, progress, and issues to stakeholders, including senior management. Manage go/no-go meetings where technical merits of all open issues will be reviewed to make a release decision. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather and analyze requirements for testing. Drive closure to key issues by working with development teams and other TPMs. Analyze defect trends and patterns and recommend process improvements. Drive continuous improvement of V&V processes and methodologies, leveraging industry best practices and emerging technologies to optimize efficiency and effectiveness. Domestic Travel Required up to 5%.

What you'll be able to do: 

Technical Program Manager - positions offered by Ford Motor Company (Palo Alto, California). Note, this is a hybrid position whereby the employee will work both from home and from the aforementioned worksite. Hence, the employee must live within a reasonable commuting distance from the worksite. Lead and manage multiple validation and verification activities, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project plans. Develop and maintain detailed program plans, schedules, and budgets. Ensure alignment between testing activities and project timelines, milestones, and resource allocation. Manage dependencies for the engineering team including procurement of test platforms and equipment in support of test execution. Provide guidance to the V&V team, fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement. Lead internal bug triage meetings where next steps of all open issues are identified and assigned. Coordinate with other teams, including development, product management, and operations, to align V&V activities with overall project goals. Communicate program status, progress, and issues to stakeholders, including senior management. Manage go/no-go meetings where technical merits of all open issues will be reviewed to make a release decision. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather and analyze requirements for testing. Drive closure to key issues by working with development teams and other TPMs. Analyze defect trends and patterns and recommend process improvements. Drive continuous improvement of V&V processes and methodologies, leveraging industry best practices and emerging technologies to optimize efficiency and effectiveness. Domestic Travel Required up to 5%. 


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