ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Technical Program Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Anduril Industries

Technical Program Manager

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$138K - $179K/yr

ABOUT THE JOB Anduril is seeking a Technical Program Manager to join the Maneuver Dominance team at ... Direct experience with the integration of C4ISR systems, sensor payloads (e.g., EO/IR, SIGINT), or ...

Decagon

Technical Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$152K - $196K/yr

Required : • 4-6+ years of experience as a technical program manager or in product/engineering operations, with direct ownership of either complex enterprise deployments or large-scale internal ...

Flex

Technical Program Manager

Milpitas, CA

$120K - $165K/yr

Reporting to the Director - Operations Engineering, the Technical Program Manager role involves partnering with the Design & Engineering teams and commercial teams to drive the design, validation and ...

SpaceX

Program Director, Special Programs

Hawthorne, CA

$185K - $260K/yr

Develop and maintain a technical roadmap that grows the engineering team's core capabilities and ... Program Director: $185,000.00- $260,000.00/per year. Your actual level and base salary will be ...

Flex Ltd.

Technical Program Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$120K - $165K/yr

Reporting to the Director - Operations Engineering, the Technical Program Manager role involves partnering with the Design & Engineering teams and commercial teams to drive the design, validation and ...

Abzena Inc.

Technical Program Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$135K - $165K/yr

The Technical Program Manager (TPM) is a technically trained project manager with direct responsibility for guiding integrated development and manufacturing programs through the Abzena San Diego Site ...

RadixArk

Technical Program Manager

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$151K - $196K/yr

About the Role As a Technical Program Manager at RadixArk, you'll drive the execution of complex ... Direct experience shipping AI/ML infrastructure such as inference engines, training frameworks, GPU ...

RadixArk

Technical Program Manager

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$151K - $196K/yr

About the Role As a Technical Program Manager at RadixArk, you'll drive the execution of complex ... Direct experience shipping AI/ML infrastructure such as inference engines, training frameworks, GPU ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsTechnical Program Director JobsTechnical Program Director Jobs in California

Technical Program Director information

See California salary details

$87.8K

$143.7K

$166.3K

How much do technical program director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for technical program director 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Technical Program Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Technical Program Director, you need expertise in program management, a strong technical background (often in computer science or engineering), and experience leading large-scale projects. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira or Asana), agile methodologies, and certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master are commonly required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and strategic thinking skills help you manage cross-functional teams and stakeholders effectively. These skills ensure programs are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational goals in complex technical environments.

Is a TPM role stressful?

A Technical Program Manager (TPM) role can be stressful due to managing complex projects, tight deadlines, and coordinating multiple teams. The level of stress varies depending on the organization, project scope, and individual workload, but strong organizational and communication skills are essential to handle the demands effectively.

How does a Technical Program Director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

A Technical Program Director works closely with engineering, product management, design, and business teams to align project goals and technical requirements. They facilitate regular meetings to ensure clear communication, resolve roadblocks, and keep all stakeholders informed of progress and changes. By fostering a collaborative environment, they help teams anticipate challenges early and maintain momentum toward shared objectives. This role often acts as a bridge between technical and non-technical departments, ensuring alignment and smooth project execution.

What is the difference between Technical Program Director vs Technical Project Manager?

AspectTechnical Program DirectorTechnical Project Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, or related fields; certifications like PMP or PgMP are commonUsually holds a bachelor's degree in a technical field; PMP or similar certifications are often preferred
Work EnvironmentLeads multiple projects across departments, focusing on strategic alignment and long-term goalsManages individual projects, ensuring timely delivery and scope management
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech companies, large corporations, and organizations with complex product portfoliosWidely used in IT, software development, and engineering firms for project execution

The Technical Program Director focuses on overseeing multiple interconnected projects and aligning them with strategic business objectives, while the Technical Project Manager handles the day-to-day management of specific projects. Both roles require technical expertise and certifications, but their scope and responsibilities differ significantly.

How much does a TPM make?

A Technical Program Manager (TPM) typically earns between $100,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Senior TPMs or those in high-cost areas can earn over $180,000, often with bonuses and stock options included.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In the US, high-paying roles such as senior executive positions, specialized surgeons, and successful entrepreneurs can earn $500,000 or more annually. Certain executive roles like Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officers, and some technology leaders with extensive experience and stock options often reach or exceed this level of compensation.

What does a technical program director do?

A technical program director oversees the planning, execution, and delivery of complex technical projects within an organization. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage budgets and timelines, and ensure technical goals align with business objectives, often requiring strong leadership, communication, and technical expertise. They may also use project management tools and frameworks to track progress and mitigate risks.
What are popular job titles related to Technical Program Director jobs in California? For Technical Program Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Technical Program Director jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Technical Program Director jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Technical Program Director jobs? Cities in California with the most Technical Program Director job openings:
Technical Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Technical Program Director job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. 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.
Technical Program Manager

Technical Program Manager

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

$138K - $179K/yr

Other

Posted 4 days ago

Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

Here you will work on core product development for rotorcraft and complex systems, including but not limited to avionics, batteries, mechanisms, structures, sensors and payloads. The role requires high ownership and frequent collaboration with other core disciplines. The ideal candidate would be practical, hands-on and a self starter.

ABOUT THE JOB

Anduril is seeking a Technical Program Manager to join the Maneuver Dominance team at our Costa Mesa HQ. The Maneuver Dominance (MD) Team at Anduril develops aerial robotic systems designed to operate in large coordinated teams in concert with ground maneuver forces. We develop perception, autonomy, and command and control (C2) systems to solve some of the hardest problems facing our customers.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Lead an integrated, cross-functional program team of hardware, software, and systems engineers to deliver capability that exceeds customer expectations
  • Own the entire lifecycle of technical initiatives, from defining requirements and creating project plans to final deployment and integration on helicopter platforms
  • Serve as the primary owner and liaison between technical teams, business stakeholders, and customers
  • Partner deeply with engineering leaders to drive program execution, unblock technical challenges, and accelerate cross-team projects
  • Deeply understand mission requirements and master technical concepts to identify key dependencies, trade-offs, and risks related to airborne sensor integration and data fusion
  • Coordinate and execute frequent test events, from hardware-in-the-loop simulations to live flight demonstrations
  • Proactively identify potential technical and operational risks, develop mitigation plans, and drive issues to resolution before they become blockers
  • Foster a culture of extreme ownership and a bias toward action within the program team
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • B.S. in Electrical, Computer, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
  • 5+ years of relevant industry experience in engineering, systems integration, or technical program management.
  • Demonstrated experience executing program management or engineering responsibilities for sophisticated hardware and software systems
  • Strong understanding of systems engineering, environmental considerations, and requirements verification and validation, particularly for aerospace or defense applications
  • Proven experience delivering complex solutions in highly regulated environments (e.g., DoD) .
  • Ability to inspire and guide teams, build consensus, and influence without direct authority.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearanc
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams to the successful completion
  • Direct experience with the integration of C4ISR systems, sensor payloads (e.g., EO/IR, SIGINT), or secure data links onto airborne platforms.
  • Strong technical aptitude and an ability to understand technical designs, software development lifecycles, challenges, and risks.
  • Practical familiarity with both Agile and Waterfall methodologies and an ability to apply them where best suited
  • Experience with tools like JIRA and Confluence
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical issues into non-technical terms

What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Anduril Industries Jobs

Apply