Senior/Staff Program Manager, Verification and Validation Operations

Zoox

Senior Program Manager defining strategies to scale Verification & Validation operations in autonomous vehicle service. Leading cross-functional efficiency initiatives and managing program execution.

Posted 7/14/2026full-timeFoster City • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $183,000 - $251,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading cross-functional programs and operational efficiency initiatives, leveraging data-driven decision-making and modern AI tools to enhance fleet performance and software quality.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Program ManagementOperational EfficiencyStakeholder ManagementData-Driven Decision-MakingAI Tools Proficiency

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Program ManagementOperational Metrics DefinitionData ValidationCross-Functional LeadershipBudget Management

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsProblem-SolvingStakeholder AlignmentAdaptability

Tools & Technologies

AI ToolsCloud-Based Coding EnvironmentsMCP APIs

Industry Keywords

Fleet EfficiencySoftware QualityOperational PlanningEngineeringOperations Management

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and coordinate large-scale, highly cross-functional programs spanning Autonomy, Product, Infrastructure, Engineering, and Safety teams to drive measurable improvements in fleet efficiency and software quality
Own and drive operational efficiency initiatives that span multiple engineering, field service, and operations teams — identifying bottlenecks, aligning stakeholders, and unblocking downstream execution
Partner with System Design & Mission Assurance and other safety teams to gather and pressure-test requirements — bringing a critical lens to ensure what's being asked for is the right thing to build or prioritize
Champion the adoption of AI and data-driven tools within operations — including building centralized, multi-source reporting systems that surface actionable intelligence from the field and feed into leadership decision-making
Run monthly business reviews (MBRs) with a broad set of stakeholders — synthesizing ground-level signals from market leads and operational locations into clear recommendations on resources, partnerships, and priorities for leadership
Define and track the right operational metrics — not just reporting on what exists, but actively shaping what should be measured and why
Partner with Finance to support operational and financial planning cycles (OP1, OP2, quarterly R&O), ensuring budgets reflect operational needs accurately and efficiently
Lead key efficiency initiatives across our L3 and robotaxi R&D fleets, including improvements in fleet utilization, time-in-autonomy, troubleshooting cycle times, and operational infrastructure
Manage program timelines, resources, and deliverables; proactively identify and mitigate operational and programmatic risks
Create and maintain program documentation and progress reports for senior leadership

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Research, Operations Management, or a STEM field
10+ years of program management experience, with a strong preference for backgrounds that blend technical depth with operational execution
Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale, highly cross-functional programs with significant organizational impact
Comfortable operating in ambiguity — able to structure undefined problems, build frameworks from scratch, and drive toward clarity
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills across engineering, product, and operations audiences
Deeply data-driven — not just tracking metrics but validating them, questioning outputs that don't add up, and pushing back when the data tells the wrong story
Proficient with modern AI tools and workflows (e.g., Gemini, Claude, MCP APIs, cloud-based coding environments) and actively applies them to drive operational efficiency and better decision-making

Benefits

Comp & perks

Paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement)
Unpaid time off
Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights
Amazon RSUs
Health insurance
Long-term care insurance
Long-term and short-term disability insurance
Life insurance