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Entry Level Technical Program Manager Jobs in California

Technical Program Manager

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$213K - $279K/yr

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 ...

The Technical Program Manager works in conjunction with the New Production Introduction group as well as a multi-functional team of Design, Supplier Quality, Test, and Global Supply Chain Managers to ...

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Entry Level Technical Program Manager information

What does an entry level technical program manager do?

An Entry Level Technical Program Manager helps coordinate and oversee technology projects within an organization. They work closely with engineering, product, and design teams to ensure projects are completed on time and meet quality standards. Their responsibilities often include managing schedules, tracking progress, communicating between teams, and addressing issues as they arise. While they may not have direct authority over teams, they play a crucial role in keeping everyone aligned and making sure project goals are achieved.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Technical Program Manager, you need a solid understanding of project management principles, basic technical knowledge (such as software development or IT infrastructure), and a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with tools like Jira, Trello, Microsoft Project, and basic Agile or Scrum methodologies is often required. Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills help you effectively manage projects and coordinate across teams. These competencies ensure that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and meet stakeholder expectations in a dynamic technical environment.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level technical program managers, and how can they overcome them?

Entry-level Technical Program Managers often encounter challenges such as balancing multiple priorities, gaining trust from engineering teams, and quickly learning technical concepts. To overcome these, it's important to proactively communicate with stakeholders, ask clarifying questions, and seek mentorship from more experienced program managers. Building strong organizational skills and leveraging project management tools can also help manage tasks efficiently. Staying curious and continuously learning about the technology stack will further enhance your effectiveness in the role.

What is the difference between Entry Level Technical Program Manager vs Entry Level Project Coordinator?

AspectEntry Level Technical Program ManagerEntry Level Project Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or related field; some certifications like PMP or Agile certifications are a plusBachelor's degree in business, management, or related field; certifications are less common
Work EnvironmentTech companies, engineering teams, product developmentVarious industries including IT, marketing, construction, and corporate settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in technology and engineering sectors to oversee technical projectsCommon across multiple industries to coordinate project tasks and schedules

While both roles involve project coordination, the Entry Level Technical Program Manager focuses on managing technical projects, often requiring technical knowledge and certifications. The Entry Level Project Coordinator typically handles administrative and scheduling tasks across various industries. The TPM role is more technical and strategic, whereas the coordinator role is more administrative and supportive.

What are the most commonly searched types of Technical Program Manager jobs in California?

The most popular types of Technical Program Manager jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Technical Program Manager jobs in California?

For Entry Level Technical Program Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Technical Program Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Technical Program Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Technical Program Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Entry Level Technical Program Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Technical Program Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Technical Program Manager

Ford Motor Company

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$213K - $279K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


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%. 


Ford logo

About Ford

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Doral, FL, US

Year founded

1982