Senior Technical Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

About this role:

Pickle is on the hunt for a highly experienced and driven Senior Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of innovative robotics solutions that power our warehouse-automation systems. This role requires a unique blend of deep technical expertise, proven program management leadership, and cross-functional influence to ensure the successful development and deployment of complex robotic hardware and software systems. You'll serve as the strategic orchestrator between engineering, product, operations, and manufacturing teams, owning multiple critical programs and driving them from concept through production at scale.

Your contributions will directly impact the speed, quality, and scalability of Pickle's revolutionary material-handling robots reaching our customers. Extensive experience in robotics or closely related fields,, PLM systems, and mastery of both Waterfall and Agile project management methodologies will be critical to success in this role. If you're a seasoned technical program manager with 8+ years of experience and a proven track record of delivering complex, multi-disciplinary robotics programs, this is your chance to make a significant impact.

• Lead multiple programs for complex robotic development, ensuring on-time, high-quality deliverables from conception to deployment and production scaling.
• Drive strategic schedules for critical programs across the robotics portfolio, ensuring timely delivery of key milestones and proactively managing dependencies.
• Enable core engineers to focus on critical development and innovation by optimizing workflows, eliminating operational bottlenecks, and building scalable processes.
• Partner with engineering, product management, technology development, and operations leadership to define program strategy, project requirements, technical milestones, and success metrics.
• Develop comprehensive program plans, schedules, and risk management strategies for programs involving mechanical, electrical, embedded systems, and software components.
• Drive cross-functional coordination and communication at all levels to resolve technical challenges, align teams toward common objectives, and maintain program momentum across the organization.
• Own and optimize the Engineering Change Management (ECM) process, ensuring efficient BOM management, drawing release workflows, version control, and traceability.
• Manage stakeholder expectations across engineering teams, executives, external partners, and customers, providing clear program updates, reports, and proactive risk mitigation plans.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and best practices in robotics development and warehouse automation.
• Lead partnerships with supply chain, manufacturing, and deployment teams to ensure seamless integration, production scaling, and field deployment of robotics solutions.
• Establish and track program health metrics, identify risks early, and drive corrective actions to keep critical programs on track.
• Mentor junior TPMs and engineers on program management best practices, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration.

• 8+ years of experience in technical program management in robotics, automation, or closely related fields such as autonomous systems, industrial robotics, or hardware-intensive product development.
• Robotics experience or experience in a closely related field is required.
• Deep knowledge of robotics systems, including sensors, actuators, embedded systems, motion control, and complex hardware/software integration.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering complex, multi-disciplinary programs from conception to deployment and production scaling in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Strong experience with Engineering Change Management (ECM), BOM management, drawing release processes, and configuration management. Familiarity with Arena or similar PLM tools is highly desirable.
• Expert understanding of Waterfall, Phase-Gated, Agile, and Scrum project management methodologies with demonstrated ability to apply them effectively. Deep familiarity with Jira, Smartsheet, or similar tools.
• Exceptional ability to identify technical trade-offs, prioritize critical tasks, and solve complex challenges in robotics development with minimal guidance.
• Proven ability to influence and align engineering teams, executives, and external partners on program goals and drive consensus across competing priorities.
• Experience with robotics automation, industrial robotics, autonomous systems, or warehouse automation is highly desirable.
• Strong background in supply chain, manufacturing, and production scaling for robotics hardware.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in fast-paced, dynamic environments with evolving priorities, ambiguity, and technical complexity.
• Exceptional communication and cross-functional collaboration skills with ability to operate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Self-driven, highly organized, strategic thinker excited to work in an R&D-heavy robotics environment.
• Willing to work at least 3 days per week at our offices in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Pay at Pickle

At Pickle Robot Company, we believe transparency builds trust. The salary range listed here is provided in accordance with Massachusetts law and reflects what we reasonably and in good faith expect to offer for this role. We often consider candidates at different levels of seniority, and final compensation will reflect the level at which a candidate is hired, along with factors like experience and location.

About Pickle Robot

Want to get in on the ground floor of a fast-growing, VC-backed robotics company? Join Pickle Robot! We build systems that companies and their teams love.

Pickle robots unload trucks. Every day, millions of trucks and containers are loaded and unloaded, often requiring manual labor—tough, dirty, dangerous, and hard to staff. Pickle automates this process using AI, machine learning, and robotics to deliver reliable products. Our Unload Systems work with teams on loading docks to make the job safer, faster, and more efficient.

Pickle provides best-in-class benefits including health, dental, & vision insurance; unlimited vacation, along with all federal and state holidays; 401K contributions of 5% your salary, travel supplies, and other items to make your working life more fun, comfortable, and productive.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. 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.