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Principal Technical Program Manager Jobs in California

Principal Technical Program Manager

San Jose, CA · On-site

$151K - $195K/yr

Adobe is seeking a Principal Technical Program Manager to help Firefly Foundry complete strategic goals for building new GenAI-powered experiences for enterprise customers. These experiences will ...

(USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager

Fremont, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The (USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager leads complex, large-scale programs by defining goals, managing cross-functional dependencies, and driving end-to-end technology solutions. This role ...

Principal Technical Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$152K - $196K/yr

Adobe is seeking a Principal Technical Program Manager to help Firefly Foundry complete strategic goals for building new GenAI-powered experiences for enterprise customers. These experiences will ...

(USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The (USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager leads complex, large-scale programs by defining goals, managing cross-functional dependencies, and driving end-to-end technology solutions. This role ...

(USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager

Hayward, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The (USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager leads complex, large-scale programs by defining goals, managing cross-functional dependencies, and driving end-to-end technology solutions. This role ...

(USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The (USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager leads complex, large-scale programs by defining goals, managing cross-functional dependencies, and driving end-to-end technology solutions. This role ...

(USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The (USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager leads complex, large-scale programs by defining goals, managing cross-functional dependencies, and driving end-to-end technology solutions. This role ...

(USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The (USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager leads complex, large-scale programs by defining goals, managing cross-functional dependencies, and driving end-to-end technology solutions. This role ...

Principal Technical Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$240K - $290K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The work: We're seeking a dedicated, passionate, and eager Principal Technical Program Manager to join our team responsible for leading large cross-functional programs linked to our Products. This ...

Principal, Technical Program Manager

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Walmart US Tech is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Technical Program Manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing the development ...

Principal, Technical Program Manager

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Walmart US Tech is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Technical Program Manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing the development ...

Principal, Technical Program Manager

Fremont, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Walmart US Tech is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Technical Program Manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing the development ...

Principal, Technical Program Manager

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Walmart US Tech is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Technical Program Manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing the development ...

(USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Principal Technical Program Manager, you will serve as the SingleThreaded Owner (STO) for large, complex, cross-functional initiatives that are critical to Marketplace growth. You will drive ...

Principal, Technical Program Manager

Hayward, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Walmart US Tech is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Technical Program Manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing the development ...

(USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Principal Technical Program Manager, you will serve as the SingleThreaded Owner (STO) for large, complex, cross-functional initiatives that are critical to Marketplace growth. You will drive ...

(USA) Principal, Technical Program Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Principal Technical Program Manager, you will serve as the SingleThreaded Owner (STO) for large, complex, cross-functional initiatives that are critical to Marketplace growth. You will drive ...

Principal, Technical Program Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$143K - $286K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Walmart US Tech is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Technical Program Manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing the development ...

Showing results 21-40

Principal Technical Program Manager information

See California salary details

$87.8K

$143.7K

$166.3K

How much do principal technical program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal technical program manager in California is $143,740.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,300.00 and $164,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal technical program manager?

Principal Technical Program Managers (Principal TPMs) are senior leaders responsible for overseeing complex technical projects and programs across organizations. They coordinate cross-functional teams, set strategic direction, manage timelines and budgets, and ensure successful delivery of technology solutions. Principal TPMs often act as a bridge between engineering, product, business, and executive stakeholders, leveraging their deep technical expertise and leadership skills to drive alignment and deliver results.

What are the main challenges a principal technical program manager faces when aligning cross-functional teams on complex projects?

A Principal Technical Program Manager often encounters the challenge of ensuring that diverse teams—such as engineering, product, design, and operations—are aligned on priorities, timelines, and deliverables for large-scale initiatives. This requires strong communication and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to manage conflicting interests and dependencies. Additionally, adapting to shifting business goals while maintaining clear project direction is a key part of the role. Successfully navigating these challenges enables the program manager to drive impactful outcomes and foster collaboration across the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal technical program manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Technical Program Manager, you need deep expertise in program management, technical acumen, and experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives, often supported by a relevant degree and certifications like PMP or Agile. Familiarity with project management tools (such as Jira or Asana), cloud platforms, and software development lifecycle methodologies is commonly required. Exceptional leadership, strategic communication, and stakeholder management skills help you influence teams and drive results. These skills ensure successful delivery of large-scale programs by aligning technical solutions with business goals and fostering collaboration across diverse teams.

What is the difference between Principal Technical Program Manager vs Technical Program Manager?

AspectPrincipal Technical Program ManagerTechnical Program Manager
CredentialsTypically requires 8+ years experience, relevant certifications (e.g., PMP), and deep technical expertiseUsually 3-7 years experience, relevant certifications, and strong technical background
Work EnvironmentLeads large, complex programs across multiple teams, often at senior levelsManages specific projects or programs within teams, focusing on execution
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech giants and large enterprises, especially in software and hardwareWidely used across tech companies, startups, and other industries requiring project coordination

The Principal Technical Program Manager typically oversees larger, more strategic programs with greater responsibilities and cross-team influence compared to the Technical Program Manager, who focuses on managing specific projects and ensuring timely delivery within teams.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Principal 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, with an average salary of $143,740 per year, or $69.1 per hour.

Principal Technical Program Manager

Adobe

San Jose, CA • On-site

$151K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Adobe rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 245 rated software companies


Job description

Adobe is seeking a Principal Technical Program Manager to help Firefly Foundry complete strategic goals for building new GenAI-powered experiences for enterprise customers. These experiences will transform how creative teams accomplish their work at scale. In this role, you will be key in crafting the execution strategy and leading all aspects of program management. You will guide planning activities, improve processes, and communicate across all levels of the company. Teams will depend on you to keep everyone aligned and informed.

This is a highly cross-functional role with partnerships across product, engineering, development, research, and platform teams. Your work will have a direct impact on the efficiency and scalability of Firefly Foundry's enterprise offerings. You will improve collaboration, communication, execution, and alignment across core teams and partners throughout Adobe's product portfolio. The ideal candidate is experienced in navigating complex technical domains, has familiarity with AI/ML systems, and is passionate about solving ambiguous problems. If you are passionate about building the future of GenAI-powered creative solutions, we'd love to hear from you.

What you will do
  • Collaborate with product, engineering, research, and build teams to advance the implementation of Firefly Foundry programs for enterprise
  • Lead end-to-end program management for GenAI initiatives, from concept through customer deployment and iteration.
  • Align cross-functional teams (product, engineering, legal, partnerships, and go-to-market) to deliver customer solutions.
  • Translate customer and business requirements into clear plans, timelines, and deliverables.
  • Identify and manage risks, dependencies, and trade-offs across multiple programs.
  • Establish processes and operating rhythms to support efficient execution and iteration.
  • Communicate program status, decisions, and risks to leadership and collaborators.
  • Coordinate model integrations (including third-party models), feature readiness, and customer onboarding.
  • Drive key initiatives to accelerate delivery and unlock new capabilities!
  • Improve execution efficiency, collaboration, and visibility across teams.
What you need to succeed
  • 10+ years of experience in Technical Program Management or an equivalent field.
  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in Computer Science or an associated area, or equivalent experience.
  • Proven track record delivering complex, cross-functional programs in AI/ML, SaaS, or enterprise products.
  • Experience delivering customer-facing or enterprise solutions.
  • Ability to function effectively in unclear, rapidly changing settings and provide clarity to complicated issues.
  • Strong collaborator management and influencing skills, including executive communication.
  • Clear presentation skills across technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Experience with AI/ML or GenAI technologies preferred.
  • Ability to manage multiple programs with strong attention to detail and execution quality.

About Adobe

Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe's industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.

Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We're on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.


Let's Adobe together

At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.

Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.

Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email accommodations@adobe.com or call +1 408-536-3015.

AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:
Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.

At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI - and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it's restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.

Expected Pay Range:

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this positionis $146,300 -- $277,400 annually. Paywithin this range varies by work locationand may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills,and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process. In California, the pay range for this position is $191,600 - $277,400 In New York, the pay range for this position is $191,600 - $277,400 In Washington, the pay range for this position is $177,100 - $256,450

At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).

In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.

State-Specific Notices:

California:

Fair Chance Ordinances

Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and "fair chance" ordinances.

Colorado:

Application Window Notice

If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.

Massachusetts:

Massachusetts Legal Notice

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.


What Adobe employees say

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Benefits

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Workplace

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About Adobe

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Adobe for All is our vision to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across our company and in our communities. We’re focused on creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce; unleashing the full potential of every employee; and driving meaningful impact for Adobe, our industry, and society at large. Creativity has the power to unite us and inspire us to change the world. Through a vision we call Creativity for All, we’re empowering millions of people of all ages and backgrounds to express themselves, reach their full potential, and share their diverse perspectives with the world. We’re committed to advancing the responsible use of technology and driving a positive environmental impact through sustainability and climate action. Our innovations are making a significant impact across AI ethics, security, privacy, trust and safety, accessibility, and sustainability.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Jose, CA, US

Year founded

1982