Technical Program Manager III

Job Title: Technical Program Manager III
Location: Fully Onsite - Redmond, WA
Duration: 12 months
Pay rate: $120/hr on W2

We are seeking a dedicated and innovative Technical Program Manager to drive programs focused on optics, display, and VR/AR technology.
The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation and proficiency in VR/AR display 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.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with research, engineering, and business teams to define roadmaps, milestones, and deliverables.
• Partner with technical leads to develop program strategies, prioritize tasks, and achieve OKRs.
• 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 systems and enhancements.
• Oversee project scope, requirements, scheduling, budgeting, status reporting, risk management, and communication across all organizational levels.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Display, Systems Engineering, Imaging Science, Electronics, Optics, or Physics.
• At least 5 years of experience as a Technical Program Manager.
• Proven experience in driving programs within research environments.
• Strong skills in project management, leadership, dependency management, and cross-group collaboration.
• Experience managing external technical engagements with industry and academia.
• Knowledge in display/optics development, manufacturing processes, and systems architecture applications.
• Experience in organizational management, budget control, and headcount management.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.
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Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

• Graduate degree in an engineering or scientific field related to display/optics/imaging.
• Experience with optics and display development projects, particularly in consumer markets.
• Track record of transitioning research or emerging technologies into consumer products.
• Experience working with cross-disciplinary teams, including researchers and software/hardware engineers.
• 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 technology applications/products and business functions.
• Experience delivering technology and business solutions in large-scale, multi-platform environments.

Must haves:
1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 Haves:
1. 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.

2. Experience Transitioning Research to Products

• Track record of successfully transitioning emerging technologies from research to consumer products. \

3. Cross-Disciplinary Team Experience

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

Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants will be considered for assignment with arrest and conviction records. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness, meet client expectations, standards, and accompanying requirements, and safeguard business operations and company reputation.