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Full-Time

Technical Program Manager

Perception

Posted on 6/27/2024

Aurora Innovation

Aurora Innovation

1,001-5,000 employees

Develops self-driving technology for vehicles

Robotics & Automation
Automotive & Transportation

Compensation Overview

$181k - $290kAnnually

+ Bonus + Equity Compensation

Senior, Expert

Mountain View, CA, USA

Category
Engineering Management
Software Development Management
Required Skills
Agile
Communications
Data Science
Management
Computer Vision
Requirements
  • 8+ years experience as a Technical Program Manager, Product Manager, or Engineering Manager, or Engineer in an autonomous systems, robotics, data science, machine learning, computer vision, or software development environment.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Data Science, Information Systems or a related area, or the equivalent in experience with evidence of exceptional ability preferred.
  • A strong familiarity with machine learning models, robotics or computer vision systems and their architecture.
  • Direct, measurable impact through the design, development and launch of groundbreaking products or delivery of significant and novel technology programs.
  • Solid technical aptitude and an ability to understand technical designs, software development lifecycle, challenges and risks; ability to work closely with engineers.
  • Strong experience in project management; practical familiarity with both Agile and Waterfall methodologies and ability to apply them where best suited.
  • Passion for shipping new to market products and the ability to dynamically adapt to new responsibilities needed to do so.
Responsibilities
  • Partner deeply with Perception leads and engineers and drive to help develop requirements and roadmap for future needs in collaboration with adjacent teams, covering topics such as:
  • Collaborate closely with other autonomy software and hardware teams, policy leads, operations, and triage specialists on technical matters to ensure the Perception team’s work is aligning to broader organizational development.
  • Assess requirements for software systems, facilitate selection of the best options, and coordinate the team to successfully evolve tools and operational processes to achieve them.
  • Track progress, resolve dependencies, evaluate risks and communicate status to upper management and project stakeholders, and engage and energize the project teams to achieve aggressive goals.
  • Manage complex projects at a large scale, spanning many functional teams and cross-functional initiatives. Instill an efficient project management mindset and workflow across the team, and function as a go-to resource for project management mentorship.
  • Remove obstacles to drive momentum and progress, identify gaps in communication or schedule, manage issue escalations and provide support to teams balancing competing priorities, and drive results proactively.
  • Understand technical implementation at the architectural level and propose technical alternatives when necessary; ask questions that clarify priorities and push the team to be effective.

Aurora Innovation develops self-driving technology aimed at changing how transportation works. Their main product, the Aurora Driver, can be added to different types of vehicles to allow them to drive themselves, transporting both people and goods. Aurora stands out from its competitors by working closely with logistics companies, ridesharing services, and vehicle manufacturers to help them use this technology effectively. This partnership approach not only helps Aurora grow but also improves the safety and efficiency of its partners. The company makes money by licensing its self-driving technology to these partners, providing ongoing support and updates as part of the service. A key feature of Aurora's technology is its advanced sensor system, including FirstLight Lidar, which helps the vehicles detect their surroundings accurately. Aurora's goal is to make transportation safer and more accessible for everyone.

Company Stage

IPO

Total Funding

$5.4B

Headquarters

Mountain View, California

Founded

2017

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

-1%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

17%
Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Aurora's partnerships with industry giants like Volvo and Continental highlight its strong market position and potential for large-scale deployment.
  • The company's focus on safety and rigorous testing protocols make it a trusted name in the autonomous vehicle sector.
  • Aurora's planned launch of fully driverless trucks in Texas by the end of the year indicates imminent commercial success and market penetration.

What critics are saying

  • The autonomous vehicle market is highly competitive, with major players like Mobileye and Gatik posing significant challenges.
  • Delays in regulatory approvals or technological setbacks could hinder Aurora's commercialization timeline.

What makes Aurora Innovation unique

  • Aurora's FirstLight Lidar technology offers superior range and speed in detecting surroundings, setting it apart from competitors.
  • The Virtual Testing Suite allows for extensive off-road testing, ensuring robustness and reliability before deployment, a feature not commonly found in the industry.
  • Aurora's collaborative approach with logistics providers, ridesharing networks, and vehicle manufacturers accelerates the commercialization of self-driving technology, unlike competitors who may operate in silos.

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Benefits

Medical, Vision, Life Insurance

Paid leave

Vacation, Holidays & Sick Time

LinkedIn Learning

Aurora Academy

401(k)

Commuter Benefits

Flexible Spending Account

Onsite Food

PerkSpot

Working from Home Support

Emotional & Physical Wellness

Employee Assistance Program

INACTIVE