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Staff Technical Program Manager Jobs in Poway, CA

Hydrosat, Inc.

Technical Program Manager

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$150K - $160K/yr

Reporting to a Senior Technical Program Manager within the Space Segment organization, this ... Coordinate program staffing requirements with engineering leadership and functional managers.

Hydrosat Inc.

Technical Program Manager

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$133K - $173K/yr

Reporting to a Senior Technical Program Manager within the Space Segment organization, this ... Coordinate program staffing requirements with engineering leadership and functional managers.

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Staff Technical Program Manager information

See Poway, CA salary details

$91K

$149K

$172.4K

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

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff technical program manager in Poway, CA is $148,992.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $132,000.00 and $170,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a staff technical program manager?

Staff Technical Program Managers (Staff TPMs) are experienced professionals who oversee complex, cross-functional technical projects within an organization. They are responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing programs that often involve multiple teams, technologies, and stakeholders. Staff TPMs work closely with engineering, product, and leadership to define project goals, manage risks, and ensure successful delivery. Their seniority allows them to influence technical strategy and mentor other program managers. This role requires strong technical knowledge, leadership skills, and the ability to communicate effectively across different parts of the organization.

How does a staff technical program manager typically collaborate with engineering and product teams to drive project success?

As a Staff Technical Program Manager, you will frequently act as a bridge between engineering and product teams, ensuring alignment on project goals, timelines, and deliverables. This involves facilitating cross-functional meetings, clarifying technical requirements, and managing dependencies across multiple teams. You’ll also help resolve roadblocks, escalate issues as needed, and communicate progress to stakeholders. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are essential, as effective collaboration is key to delivering complex projects on time and within scope.

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

To thrive as a Staff Technical Program Manager, you need expertise in program management methodologies, technical acumen, and significant experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, project management software, and certifications such as PMP or Agile/Scrum are typically required. Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills help you influence teams and drive successful outcomes. These competencies are crucial for aligning technical projects with business goals, managing risks, and ensuring timely, high-quality delivery.

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

AspectStaff Technical Program ManagerTechnical Program Manager
CredentialsTypically requires 8+ years of experience, relevant certifications (e.g., PMP), and advanced technical knowledgeUsually requires 5+ years of experience, project management certifications, and technical understanding
Work EnvironmentLeads complex, cross-functional programs across multiple teams and departmentsManages specific projects or programs within a team or department
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large tech companies, especially in engineering and product developmentWidely used across tech, software, and hardware industries in various company sizes

The Staff Technical Program Manager typically handles larger, more complex programs requiring extensive experience and cross-team coordination, while the Technical Program Manager focuses on managing specific projects within a team. Both roles require strong project management skills, but the staff level involves higher strategic responsibility and technical expertise.

What are popular job titles related to Staff Technical Program Manager jobs in Poway, CA?

For Staff Technical Program Manager jobs in Poway, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Staff Technical Program Manager jobs in Poway, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Staff Technical Program Manager jobs in Poway, CA are:

What cities near Poway, CA are hiring for Staff Technical Program Manager jobs?

Cities near Poway, CA with the most Staff Technical Program Manager job openings:

Staff Technical Program Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Staff Technical Program Manager job openings in Poway, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $148,992 per year, or $71.6 per hour.

Senior Staff Technical Program Manager (R5270)

San Diego, CA

Shield AI
Software Development • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Shield AIexternal

$170K - $260K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead technical program management activities for Hivemind customer programs.

  • Develop technical execution plans and establish milestones, success metrics, and manage program scope, schedule, and risks.

  • Coordinate with engineering, business, and customer teams to ensure alignment of software development, roadmaps, and customer needs.

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:
Hivemind Catalyst: A Faster Path to First Flight 

Shield AI is building the world's best AI pilot. Hivemind powers intelligent aircraft, drones, and robotic systems that operate autonomously in the most demanding environments. Hivemind Catalyst accelerates the adoption of autonomy by enabling customers to rapidly develop, integrate, test, and deploy sovereign autonomous capabilities on their own platforms. 

As a Senior Staff Technical Program Manager for Hivemind Catalyst, you will operate at the intersection of technology, strategy, business development, and execution. You will help customers define their autonomy roadmaps, shape technical solutions, drive software alignment across internal teams, and ensure successful execution of customer programs from initial engagement through delivery. 

This role requires exceptional technical judgment, executive communication skills, and the ability to create structure and clarity in highly ambiguous environments. You will work directly with senior engineering leaders, business leaders, international partners, and customers to accelerate the adoption of autonomy at scale. 

What you'll do:

Program Leadership and Execution 

  • Lead technical program management activities for Hivemind customer programs.
  • Develop technical execution plans that drive technology maturation and successful customer outcomes.
  • Establish clear milestones, entry criteria, exit criteria, and measurable success metrics across programs.
  • Manage program cost, schedule, scope, risk, dependencies, and resource allocation.
  • Track customer spending against contractual budgets and program commitments.
  • Identify risks early and drive mitigation strategies that reduce technical, schedule, and business uncertainty.
  • Hold internal and external stakeholders accountable to commitments while maintaining strong customer relationships. 

Software and Roadmap Alignment 

  • Embed closely within Hivemind Enterprise teams to ensure customer needs are accurately represented in product and engineering priorities.
  • Drive closed-loop communication between customers, engineering teams, and business stakeholders.
  • Support software release planning, roadmap development, prioritization, and resource allocation decisions.
  • Ensure technical investments align with strategic priorities, revenue opportunities, and customer outcomes.
  • Advocate for the capabilities that create the greatest impact for customers and the business. 

Customer Strategy and Technical Planning 

  • Review and assess Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates, Statements of Work (SOWs), proposals, bids, and customer engagements across domestic and international markets.
  • Develop pricing recommendations, high-level technical decompositions, project plans, and execution strategies.
  • Partner with customers to define technical roadmaps that accelerate the development, deployment, and operationalization of sovereign autonomy capabilities.
  • Help customers establish practical paths from prototype to production and mission-ready deployment.
  • Support business development, capture, and growth initiatives through technical planning, proposal development, and customer engagement. 

Internal Strategic Execution 

  • Own and maintain technical execution roadmaps across internal Catalyst priorities.
  • Create structure, prioritization frameworks, and execution plans for internal research and development efforts.
  • Drive alignment across multiple technical roadmaps and identify interdependencies, conflicts, and resource constraints.
  • Monitor program health, track progress against objectives, and facilitate data-driven decision making.
  • Support organizational OKRs and key performance metrics through disciplined execution and reporting. 

Executive Communication and Stakeholder Management 

  • Develop executive-level communications, briefings, summaries, and decision materials for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Support Monthly Portfolio Reviews, Executive Steering Committees, Quarterly Business Reviews, Board Reviews, and other strategic forums.
  • Communicate effectively with senior engineering, business, government, and international stakeholders.
  • Drive alignment across technical, operational, financial, and strategic priorities. 

Strategic Initiatives 

  • Lead and support high-impact strategic initiatives that enable company growth and global expansion.
  • Partner across engineering, legal, compliance, finance, facilities, business development, and operations teams to solve complex cross-functional challenges.
  • Contribute to international expansion efforts, including establishment of new offices, partnerships, and operating models. 
Required qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. 
  • 5+ years of experience in Technical Program Management within a fast-paced technology organization. 
  • Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional technical programs involving software, systems, and external stakeholders. 
  • Experience developing project plans, execution roadmaps, schedules, and risk mitigation strategies. 
  • Strong understanding of software development lifecycles, release planning, and technical product roadmaps. 
  • Experience supporting customer-facing programs, proposals, SOW development, or technical business development activities. 
  • Demonstrated ability to drive clarity, alignment, and execution in ambiguous environments. 
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level communications. 
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make informed decisions using incomplete information. 
  • Ability to work effectively across engineering, product, business development, finance, and operations organizations. 
  • Willingness to travel up to 25%, including domestic and international travel. 
Preferred qualifications:
  • Experience in autonomy, robotics, aerospace, defense technology, aviation, or complex software platforms. 
  • Experience supporting international customers, partners, or technology programs. 
  • Experience developing technical proposals, ROMs, pricing strategies, or capture plans. 
  • Familiarity with government, defense, or national security acquisition environments. 
  • Experience managing programs involving multiple stakeholders across technical and business domains. 
  • MBA, Master's degree, or advanced technical degree. 
Why Shield AI:

At Shield AI, you will help define the future of autonomy. You will work alongside world-class engineers, operators, and business leaders to deliver transformational technology that enables customers to build and deploy sovereign autonomous capabilities faster than ever before. 

If you thrive in ambiguity, enjoy solving complex technical and business problems, and want to play a central role in shaping the future of autonomous systems, we'd love to hear from you. 

#LI-KC3
#LE

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.