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Bright Machines

Posted 3 months ago

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Senior Technical Program Manager

San FranciscoOn-siteFull-time

AI Summary

Senior Technical Program Manager responsible for leading hardware-centric programs that integrate robotics, perception, controls, and ML into Bright Machines’ next-gen manufacturing platform. Manages end-to-end program lifecycle from concept through customer deployment.

About this role

RETHINK MANUFACTURING
The only way to ignite change is to build the best team. At Bright Machines®, we’re innovators and experts in our craft who have joined together to create a new category of manufacturing that will help transform the industry. We believe software and data are the answer, thoughtfully applied to solve our customers’ unique challenges. Through intelligent automation, we give factories newfound flexibility, scalability, and resilience. We deliver products to meet the demands of today while building a platform to take advantage of what comes next.
Working with us means you’ll have the opportunity to make lasting, impactful changes for our company and our customers. If you’re ready to apply your exceptional skills to create the factory of the future, we’d love to speak with you.

ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Staff Technical Program Manager, you will lead the development of core robotics and hardware capabilities within Bright Machines’ next-generation manufacturing platform, bringing AI-enabled, software-defined automation to data center infrastructure manufacturing. You will drive the development of complex electromechanical systems that integrate robotics, perception, controls, and ML into scalable, production-ready platforms. Operating at the system level, you’ll align hardware, software, and manufacturing teams to accelerate time from silicon to revenue, delivering faster ramps, higher yield, and more predictable performance in real-world production environments.
This role sits at the intersection of robotics, AI, and advanced manufacturing, defining how intelligent infrastructure is built and scaled.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

  • Own the full program lifecycle for Bright Machines’ next-generation manufacturing platform—from concept and design through validation, release, and customer deployment.
  • Partner closely with hardware (mechanical, electrical, robotics, motion, safety), systems, and software teams to deliver scalable, production-ready automation systems.
  • Lead cross-functional planning for major platform features and hardware releases. Define scope, timelines, milestones, cost targets, and system requirements.
  • Bring clarity to system architecture, integration, and validation plans.
  • Think at the system level. Identify dependencies across mechanical design, controls, embedded systems, robotics, and manufacturing. Ensure hardware, firmware, and software are aligned and validated early.
  • Drive disciplined hardware development processes, including requirements definition and traceability, architecture and design reviews, prototype builds, validation planning, and system-level testing.
  • Provide clear updates to leadership on program health, risks, budget, and schedule. Highlight trade-offs and drive decisions quickly.
  • Deliver milestones on time and within budget. Escalate issues early and remove blockers to keep momentum strong.
  • Help build scalable program management processes that improve predictability, quality, and cross-team alignment as the platform grows.
  • Bring structure and urgency without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
  • Travel: Up to 25%, primarily during late-stage builds, supplier work, and customer validation.

    • WHAT YOU WILL BRING

  • BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field.
  • 7+ years leading complex hardware programs in robotics, automation, industrial systems, or electromechanical product development.
  • Experience taking hardware platforms from early architecture through NPI, validation, and production ramp.
  • Strong systems-level knowledge of: Mechanical design and motion systems, Industrial robotics and automation cells, Electrical systems and controls hardware, Manufacturing readiness and supply chain constraints and Safety and compliance in industrial environments
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
  • Experience working with executive stakeholders and managing customer-facing hardware programs with tight timelines and high reliability standards.
  • Able to clearly communicate complex technical trade-offs to both engineers and executives.
  • Track record of delivering reliable physical products into production environments.
  • Open to domestic and international travel as needed (up to 25%, primarily in later program stages).

    • IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU HAD

  • Experience building modular or platform-based automation systems.
  • Background in scaling hardware programs in high-growth robotics or manufacturing technology companies.
  • Experience with contract manufacturers and global supply chains.
  • Hands-on familiarity with system integration labs, pilot builds, and factory acceptance testing (FAT/SAT).
  • Experience operating in Bay Area–level velocity environments with aggressive milestones and world-class engineering talent.

    • Skills

    Architecture ReviewsControls HardwareCost TargetingCross-functional LeadershipElectrical SystemsEmbedded SystemsFactory Acceptance TestingFATHardware Program ManagementIndustrial AutomationManufacturing ReadinessMechanical DesignMotion SystemsNPIPlatform-based AutomationProduction RampProject SchedulingPrototype BuildsRequirements TraceabilityRisk ManagementRoboticsRobotics CellsSATSupply Chain CoordinationSystem Integration LabsSystems EngineeringValidation PlanningVendor Management

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