Director Software Development Manager Jobs in Fremont, CA

Lucid is seeking a Director, Software Programs to provide senior functional and execution leadership for all Software Programs teams, within the Technical Programs organization. This role is accountable for defining, leading, and scaling the software program management function that ensures complex, cross-domain vehicle software is delivered with the right scope, quality, timing, and integration across Lucid's vehicle portfolio. 

This role serves as the program leadership counterpart to the VP of Software and forms a critical operating alliance with the Sr. Manager, Software Integration (also part of the Technical Program organization). Together, these three roles establish a tightly coupled execution model that aligns software strategy, feature development, integration, and vehicle program needs. 

The Director, Software Programs partners closely with Product, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Product & Technology Integration, Vehicle Testing, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality and Service to ensure software commitments are realistic, resourced, sequenced, and executable. 

You Will: 

Functional & Organizational Leadership 

• Own the Software Programs function within Technical Programs, covering all software domains, including Infotainment, Controls, Connectivity & Cloud, Mobile, Cybersecurity and Release Management. 

• Build, lead, and continuously evolve a high-performing organization of software program leaders and TPMs, aligned to Lucid's vehicle roadmap and software architecture. 

• Define and mature the software program management operating model, including roles, responsibilities, escalation paths, and interfaces with Software Engineering and Vehicle Programs. The team's success will be measured on the consistency of software release commitments vs delivery. 

• Establish improved methods for capacity planning, prioritization, and resource balancing across vehicle lines and software domains. 

Program & Portfolio Ownership 

• Drive alignment on software scope, sequencing, and release content, ensuring commitments meet vehicle milestones and quality expectations. 

• Represent Software Programs in executive reviews, program governance forums, and cross-functional decision-making. 

• Working closely with the Software Integration TPMs, provide a holistic, cross-vehicle view of software delivery, ensuring alignment across all Lucid vehicle programs and external customer programs. 

• Own software program health, risk management, and delivery readiness, ensuring early identification of gaps and decisive mitigation. 

Strategic Partnership & Alignment 

• Partner closely with the VP of Software to align software development strategy, roadmaps, and execution capacity with vehicle program needs. 

• Form a tight execution triangle with: Director, Software Programs (this role), VP, Software and Sr. Manager, Software Integration to ensure seamless flow from feature definition development integration vehicle release. 

• Work in deep partnership with the SW Integration team (within Product & Technology Integration) to ensure vehicle-level software integration, release readiness, and risk management are fully aligned with software program plans. 

• Challenge assumptions and drive fact-based trade discussions when gaps exist between desired scope and delivery reality. 

Process, Tools & Continuous Improvement 

• Define and standardize software program metrics, dashboards, and reporting for schedule, scope, risk, and readiness. 

• Continuously improve tools, processes, and governance used across Software Programs and SW Integration. 

• Foster a culture of clarity, accountability, technical rigor, and one-team collaboration across organizations. 

You Bring: 

• 15+ years of experience leading complex software programs in automotive, embedded systems, or similarly scaled, safety-critical environments.
• Proven experience building and leading senior program management organizations across multiple product lines.
• Strong understanding of vehicle software architectures, cross-domain dependencies, and software release lifecycles.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with executive engineering leadership and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Track record of driving delivery in environments with high ambiguity, competing priorities, and aggressive timelines.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to clearly frame tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations for executive audiences.
• Direct experience with vehicle software integration and release management.
• Experience operating at the intersection of Product, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering and Vehicle Integration.
• Background in scaling program management practices for rapidly evolving software platforms.
• Experience with common program and software tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, MS Office).
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field required.
• Advanced degree preferred.