Operations Senior Technical Program Manager
Summary
Lead cross-functional hardware programs to move Apptronik’s AI-powered humanoid robot Apollo from concept to mass production, coordinating engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality teams.
Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of Applied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
JOB SUMMARY
We are looking for a highly execution-oriented Senior Technical Program Manager (Operations) to serve as the Operations organization's advocate within our engineering-driven product development programs. Reporting to the Director of the Program Management Office (PMO), you will bridge Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance to ensure new products move seamlessly from concept through production.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Program Leadership: Represent Operations as the core stakeholder within cross-functional engineering programs from concept through production launch. Drive execution across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Test, IT, Facilities, Service, and Procurement, escalating risks and resource constraints to PMO and Operations leadership.
- Design for Excellence (DFX): Champion DFM, DFA, DFS, DFT, DFSC, and DFQ throughout product development. Facilitate cross-functional design reviews and drive early resolution of manufacturability, sourcing, serviceability, and quality risks.
- Build Readiness: Lead readiness activities across prototype, EVT, DVT, PVT, and production builds. Own Build Readiness Checklists spanning manufacturing, supply chain, material availability, tooling, documentation, training, and quality.
- Supply Chain & Sourcing: Partner with Strategic Sourcing and Procurement to flag long-lead items early, monitor supplier and material readiness against milestones, and drive resolution of sourcing constraints.
- Engineering & Product Data Management: Partner with Engineering on product structures, EBOM-to-MBOM alignment, and change management within Siemens Teamcenter; collaborate in Siemens NX to identify DFX opportunities early in the development cycle.
- Cost Management: Coordinate NRE expenditure tracking and supplier RFQs, and partner with Finance, Supply Chain, and Engineering to keep quotation and cost activity aligned with program timelines.
- Risk & Issue Management: Identify operational risks before they become program delays, drive mitigation plans with accountable owners, and present operational health and readiness status at program reviews and executive meetings.
SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Cross-Functional Leadership Without Direct Authority – Proven ability to drive alignment, accountability, and timely decision-making across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and Facilities.
- Hardware Program Execution – Strong understanding of engineering development lifecycles and experience bringing products from concept through production.
- Design for Excellence (DFX) – Experience embedding manufacturability, serviceability, and quality requirements into design before release.
- Systems & Tools Fluency – Familiarity with product structures (BOMs), engineering change management (ECN/ECO), and configuration/release processes; hands-on experience with Siemens NX and Teamcenter is a plus.
- Executive Communication – Comfortable presenting operational risk and readiness status to program reviews and executive stakeholders.
- Data-Driven Decision Making – Track record of using cost, schedule, and readiness data to drive disciplined execution.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline required
- 8+ years of technical program management or operations leadership experience within complex hardware product development
- Preferred: Experience in robotics, automotive, aerospace, industrial automation, or other complex electromechanical products
- Preferred: PMP certification or equivalent program management experience
- Preferred: Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or APICS certification
- Preferred: Experience with ERP, PLM, and program management tools
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
- Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
- Hearing and speech to communicate
*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.