Bright Machines

Senior Technical Program Manager – Automation Platform

Bright Machines

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: San Francisco • United States

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Job Level

Senior

About the role

  • Own the full program lifecycle for Bright Machines’ next-generation manufacturing platform—from concept and design through validation, release, and customer deployment.
  • Partner closely with hardware (mechanical, electrical, robotics, motion, safety), systems, and software teams to deliver scalable, production-ready automation systems.
  • Lead cross-functional planning for major platform features and hardware releases. Define scope, timelines, milestones, cost targets, and system requirements.
  • Bring clarity to system architecture, integration, and validation plans.
  • Think at the system level. Identify dependencies across mechanical design, controls, embedded systems, robotics, and manufacturing. Ensure hardware, firmware, and software are aligned and validated early.
  • Drive disciplined hardware development processes, including requirements definition and traceability, architecture and design reviews, prototype builds, validation planning, and system-level testing.
  • Provide clear updates to leadership on program health, risks, budget, and schedule. Highlight trade-offs and drive decisions quickly.
  • Deliver milestones on time and within budget. Escalate issues early and remove blockers to keep momentum strong.
  • Help build scalable program management processes that improve predictability, quality, and cross-team alignment as the platform grows.
  • Bring structure and urgency without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
  • Travel: Up to 25%, primarily during late-stage builds, supplier work, and customer validation.

Requirements

  • BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field.
  • 7+ years leading complex hardware programs in robotics, automation, industrial systems, or electromechanical product development.
  • Experience taking hardware platforms from early architecture through NPI, validation, and production ramp.
  • Strong systems-level knowledge of: Mechanical design and motion systems, Industrial robotics and automation cells, Electrical systems and controls hardware, Manufacturing readiness and supply chain constraints and Safety and compliance in industrial environments
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
  • Experience working with executive stakeholders and managing customer-facing hardware programs with tight timelines and high reliability standards.
  • Able to clearly communicate complex technical trade-offs to both engineers and executives.
  • Track record of delivering reliable physical products into production environments.
  • Open to domestic and international travel as needed (up to 25%, primarily in later program stages).
Benefits
  • Health insurance
  • Professional development opportunities
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
mechanical engineeringelectrical engineeringroboticsmechatronicshardware developmentsystem architecturevalidation planningprototype buildssystem-level testingindustrial automation
Soft Skills
cross-functional leadershipcommunicationproblem-solvingproject managementdecision-makingrisk managementstakeholder managementadaptabilityclarity in updatesteam alignment