Product Manager Intern @ Drivemode

Our Mission:

Driving technology always feels old. Not by a little bit. We believe vehicles can be a thousand times smarter, safer, and more connected to the world around us, and our mission is to see it happen. In 2019, we joined forces with Honda as their first startup acquisition, and now we’re expanding our vision into building the future of mobility for millions of people around the world.

Why Drivemode:

Join Drivemode for an exciting startup environment and a vibrant culture that combines impactful work, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits. By becoming a part of our team, you'll contribute to a crucial mission that revolutionizes the way people engage with vehicles, addressing both business needs and the world's environmental challenges. This presents an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and drive Honda's success in the automotive market.

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated, Japanese-speaking MBA student to join our Product Management team for the summer. Hiring bilingual PMs is central to our global strategy. As a PM Intern, you will own a specific product initiative from ideation to execution while closely partnering with our core PM team to bridge the gap between our US and Japan teams.

This will be a full-time internship that will last about 6 weeks minimum. You will need to be able to work out of our office in Mt. View, California, on Monday and Tuesday.

What You Will Do:

Partner with non-Japanese speaking PMs to provide localized product insights, gather requirements, and define product features.

Conduct customer discovery, market research, and competitive analysis within the ecosystem.

Write clear, PRD (Product Requirements Documents) or 1-pagers to align engineering and design teams.

Present your final summer project and recommendations to the executive leadership team (including the CEO).

What we are Looking for:

Experience & Mindset: While 1-2 years of direct Product Management experience is a plus, your mindset matters most. We are looking for a strong growth mindset, strategic business acumen, and a relentless eagerness to learn and adapt.

Passion for Mobility: A deep, genuine interest in the future of transportation, with a focus on software-defined vehicles.

Global Collaboration & Leadership: Proven ability to thrive in a multicultural, multi-region environment. You excel at bringing diverse, cross-functional stakeholders together to drive alignment and push products forward.

Agility & Scale: A unique blend of experience operating within both large, complex corporations and fast-paced startup environments is highly preferred.

Language Proficiency: Fluency in both spoken and written Japanese, along with business-level English, is required to effectively bridge our global teams.

Basic Qualifications:

Currently enrolled in a top-tier MBA program (Bay Area campuses preferred).
Native or full professional proficiency in Japanese and English.

EEOC Statement

Drivemode is proud of a very diverse team with employees coming from 5 continents/11 countries as of today. Diversity in our workplace has played an important part in our success; we recognize each employee’s unique background, knowledge, experiences, ideas, and viewpoints which are all critical in developing a product that has the greatest impacts on drivers all over the world.

Drivemode provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristics that make you unique.

About the company

Drivemode develops software that enables safer, connected driving by embedding applications and services into vehicles. It uses data science to analyze driving patterns and app usage to improve road safety and the driving experience, and it publishes data stories with an editorial team. Revenue comes from selling software, licensing to automakers, and subscriptions for updates and premium features. The goal is to help drivers stay connected safely and for automakers to offer integrated, data-informed connectivity across vehicle fleets.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Series A

Total Funding

$9.2M

Headquarters

Tokyo, Japan

Founded

2014

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Honda's 2026 SDV push creates immediate demand for Drivemode's connected services expertise.
Drivemode is hiring senior analytics talent in March 2026, signaling active product investment.
Honda's global EV and motorcycle programs give Drivemode direct access to production vehicles.

What critics are saying

Honda's ASIMO OS and 2026 0 Series centralize software, shrinking Drivemode's standalone leverage.
Drivemode's X account shows no posting, signaling low brand momentum and market visibility.
If Honda internalizes UX and app development, Drivemode becomes a redundant cost center.

What makes Drivemode unique

Honda acquired Drivemode in 2019, making it Honda R&D's software and UX arm.
Drivemode focuses on Honda and Acura connected services, apps, and platforms globally.
Its software spans vehicle companion apps, motorcycle software, and connected mobility consulting.

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Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

↑ 55%

1 year growth

↑ 55%

2 year growth

↑ 53%

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