About the Role
Uber is launching AV Labs to accelerate the autonomous technology ecosystem. We're building out a high-velocity team of multi-disciplinary experts to turn real-world operations into high-quality data for our autonomous partners. This team is focused on the hardest problem in AV today: unlocking real-world, long-tail driving data. Autonomy is now a data race—and Uber has an edge: We collect rare, real-world driving data at a scale and capital efficiency no one else can match.
As a Staff Hardware Technical Program Manager at Uber AV Labs, you will drive the design and development of early exploration platforms and foundational technology building blocks that directly enable and influence next-generation AV architecture decisions for the autonomous ecosystem. Leveraging a strong engineering background and a proven track record of navigating high ambiguity, you will proactively lead multi-functional engineering teams alongside key hardware vendors, technology suppliers, and Tier-1 partners through the definition, prototyping, and Proof of Concept (PoC) of AV technologies—including advanced sensing platforms (LiDAR, Radar, Cameras), custom compute architectures, and hardware-software integration layers. In this role, you will apply situational program management to seamlessly organize, align, and orchestrate high-impact R&D roadmaps from raw concepts all the way through architectural validation and physical prototype integration.
Core Responsibilities
• Vehicle NPI & Build Partner Management: Lead vehicle New Product Introduction (NPI) and physical build programs in close collaboration with specialty automotive build partners. Leverage deep automotive build experience to oversee prototype upfits, track assembly milestones, manage engineering change requests (ECRs), and ensure the on-time delivery of integrated vehicle platforms.
• System Integration Validation: Drive the execution of hardware and software integration strategies. Implement rigorous validation plans to ensure autonomy stacks meet interface, throughput, and performance requirements within the data collection fleet.
• NPI Material Tracking & Systems Implementation: Establish and manage NPI material tracking frameworks and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems. Bring up and drive adoption of material tracking tools to manage complex Bills of Materials (BOMs), track component lead times, oversee prototype inventory, and maintain hardware traceability from procurement to vehicle assembly.
• Vendor & Delivery Management: Direct vendor and hardware supplier execution to ensure critical components and platforms are delivered on time and meet strict quality standards. Manage vendor deliverables, track lead times, enforce Statement of Work (SOW) commitments, and proactively mitigate supplier risks to prevent schedule delays.
• Technical Liaison & Program Alignment: Drive technical alignment between internal engineering disciplines and external partners. Track and manage release gates, technical dependencies, and risk resolution to ensure seamless stack integration and continuous delivery.
Basic Qualifications
• Program Leadership & Ambiguity: 7+ years of system engineering experience leading multi-functional engineering teams through early-stage technical ambiguity, milestone planning, and release gating criteria.
• Technical Engineering Depth: BS/MS in Engineering (CS, EE, Robotics, Mechanical) or equivalent hands-on background, with the technical foundation to evaluate trade-offs, assess risks, and challenge decisions.
• Vendor & Supplier Management: Proven track record of managing external hardware vendors and suppliers to enforce SOW commitments and deliver complex components on time with high quality.
• NPI Systems & Material Tracking: Practical experience setting up or utilizing NPI material tracking frameworks, PLM systems, BOM structures, and inventory controls.
Preferred Qualifications
• Automotive Build Partner Expertise: Direct experience managing specialty automotive build partners, prototype vehicle upfits, custom retrofits, or Tier-1/OEM integration programs.
• AV Hardware Domain Knowledge: Deep familiarity with core autonomous vehicle building blocks, including sensing platforms (LiDAR, Radar, Cameras), embedded compute, and vehicle bus architectures.
• System Integration & Validation: Experience establishing hardware-software validation plans and execution strategies for experimental test beds or physical data collection fleets.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Exceptional communication skills with a demonstrated ability to bring transparency, resolve conflicts, and drive priorities across complex, multi-organization environments without direct authority.
For Sunnyvale, CA-based roles: The base salary range for this role is USD $211,000 per year - USD $234,000 per year.
You will be eligible to participate in Uber's bonus program, and may be offered an equity award & other types of comp. All full-time employees are eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan. You will also be eligible for various benefits.