Job Title: Technical Program Manager V
Duration: 12 months
Location: Redmond, WA, 98052
Job Description:

• We are seeking a dedicated and innovative Technical Program Manager to drive programs focused on graphics, VR/AR rendering technologies, and related software and hardware systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation and proficiency in graphics pipelines, rendering algorithms, and VR/AR graphics technologies, along with the capacity to manage complex and challenging projects. This role requires a candidate who is resilient in finding solutions to hard problems and is adept at building cross-functional relationships and motivating teams to ensure smooth and predictable program execution in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Must-Have Skills:       
Strong Technical and Program Management Expertise

• Proven experience driving complex technical programs, especially in research environments related to display, optics, or VR/AR technologies.
• Expertise in project estimating, scheduling, risk management, and delivering within scope, quality, time, and budget constraints.

Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage internal and external teams, including matrixed employees and contractors.
• Strong skills in dependency management, cross-group collaboration, and stakeholder communication at multiple organizational levels.

Adaptability and Problem-Solving

• Resilience in pursuing solutions to complex and challenging problems.
• Strong judgment and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Advanced Education and Specialized Experience
• Graduate degree in engineering or scientific fields related to display, optics, or imaging.
• Experience with optics and display development projects, especially in consumer markets.
• Experience Transitioning Research to Products
• Track record of successfully transitioning emerging technologies from research to consumer products.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with research, engineering, and business teams to define roadmaps, milestones, and deliverables related to graphics and rendering technologies.
• Partner with technical leads to develop program strategies, prioritize tasks, and achieve OKRs focused on graphics innovation and VR/AR visual experiences.
• Deliver programs within defined scope, quality, time, and budget while managing moderate risk factors.
• Engage in strategic planning at the program level, interact with executives, resolve complex issues, and foster effective communication and team building.
• Manage internal and external teams, including matrixed employees and contractors, to deliver graphics systems and enhancements.
• Oversee project scope, requirements, scheduling, budgeting, status reporting, risk management, and communication across all organizational levels.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Graphics, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience as a Technical Program Manager.
• Proven experience in driving programs within ambiguous research or development environments.
• Strong skills in project management, leadership, dependency management, and cross-group collaboration.
• Experience managing external technical engagements with industry and academia.
• Knowledge in graphics pipeline development, rendering algorithms, GPU architectures, and VR/AR graphics systems.
• Experience in organizational management, budget control, and headcount management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in an engineering or scientific field related to computer graphics, visualization, or VR/AR.
• Experience with graphics development projects, particularly in consumer or VR/AR markets.
• Track record of transitioning research or emerging graphics technologies into consumer products.
• Experience working with cross-disciplinary teams, including researchers and software/hardware engineers.

Skills:

• Expertise in project estimating, scheduling, customer interaction, and implementation planning.
• Proven ability in people management and team building.
• Strong adaptability, judgment, and priority management.
• Quick learner of business processes and effective communicator with partners at varying levels.
• Strong ability to assess risk and apply management principles to graphics technology applications/products and business functions.
• Experience delivering technology and business solutions in large-scale, multi-platform environments.

Minimum Years of Experience:

• 5-10 years - 10+ preferred

Cross-Disciplinary Team Experience:

• Experience working with diverse teams including researchers, software engineers, and hardware engineers.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Work with research, engineering, and business teams to set roadmaps, milestones, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with technical leads to plan programs, prioritize tasks, and meet OKRs.
• Execute programs on time, within scope, quality, and budget, managing moderate risks.
• Lead strategic planning, engage with executives, solve complex issues, and promote communication and teamwork.
• Manage internal and external teams, including contractors, to deliver systems and improvements.
• Oversee project scope, requirements, schedules, budgets, status, risks, and communication across all levels.

Certain project that team is working on / what products are they supporting:

• Developing components anticipated to reach the market within the next 5 to 10 years.
• Conducting groundbreaking research in the field.
• Innovating the next generation of VR and related technologies.

About the Team:

• Team mission is to develop advanced all-day wearable and immersive near-eye display systems. We collaborate closely with research, finance, and legal teams to drive innovation. We seek a resilient Technical Program Manager with strong VR/AR display expertise and the ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.

How will progress be evaluated:

• Effective execution of projects from initiation through delivery, meeting defined goals and timelines.
• Securing and managing external partnerships and engagements to enhance program capabilities and resources.
• Collaborative work with engineering teams to develop innovative materials and solutions aligned with program objectives.
• Maintaining strict budget control to ensure financial discipline and resource optimization throughout the program lifecycle.

What makes this role attractive to top talent, and what unique value does it offer to the ideal candidate:

• Pioneering breakthrough research and developing next-generation VR/AR components expected to hit the market within 5 to 10 years

Screening Process:

• 3 rounds - up to 45 minutes (1:1 with CWAM, 2-1:1 with team member)

 
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 100.00/hr.