Senior Technical Program Manager (R&D)

Your opportunity

At Schwab, we believe innovation starts with curiosity and the willingness to challenge how things are done today. Within Research & Development (R&D), we explore emerging technologies, test new ideas, and translate insights into meaningful business impact. Our work spans experimentation, rapid learning, and collaboration across technology and business partners.

We are seeking a technically grounded leader who is ready to step into a broader role guiding teams, organizing complex initiatives, and helping R&D turn exploration into execution. This role is ideal for someone who has built credibility through hands-on technical or analytical work and now wants to influence outcomes through leadership, facilitation, and strategic thinking.

We believe in the importance of in-office collaboration and fully intend for the selected candidate for this role to work on site in the specified location(s).

As a Senior Manager / TPM Lead, Research & Development Initiatives , you will help shape and drive some of R&D's most impactful programs. You will work at the intersection of technology, business, and delivery, bringing structure to ambiguity, aligning diverse stakeholders, and enabling teams to do their best work.

You will not be expected to have all the answers. Instead, you will be expected to ask the right questions, experiment thoughtfully, and help teams learn quickly. This role blends elements of product management, program leadership, and agile delivery, with a strong emphasis on adaptability and continuous improvement.

This role plays a key part in helping R&D move from ideas to impact. You will help ensure that exploration leads to learning, learning leads to decisions, and decisions lead to meaningful outcomes for Schwab's clients and business. You'll achieve this working with cross-functional teams within Schwab. Example technology initiatives this role might be engaged with are those in Generative AI, Digital Assets, and Immersive Technologies.

Position Responsibilities :

Lead R&D Initiatives

Organize and drive cross-functional initiatives from concept through experimentation and transition to delivery teams.

Work with senior team members to translate loosely defined ideas or technology trends into clear goals, hypotheses, and execution plans.

Provide executive level briefings and regular status updates to other senior staff.

Balance near-term execution with longer-term exploration and learning.

Help prioritize team goals and coordinate R&D team status reports.

Enable and Lead Teams

Lead and support multi-disciplinary / cross-functional teams, creating clarity around priorities, roles, and outcomes.

Foster a collaborative, inclusive environment where experimentation and constructive challenge are encouraged.

Coach team members through change, ambiguity, and evolving ways of working.

Connect Technology to Business Value

Partner with product, engineering, architecture, and business stakeholders to explore how emerging technologies may apply to real business use cases.

Help teams articulate value, tradeoffs, and risks in ways that resonate with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Support decision-making with thoughtful analysis, synthesis, and storytelling.

Apply Agile and Adaptive Practices

R&D doesn't subscribe to a one-size-fits all approach to managing their research & explorations. This position will draw from a broad set of tools developed through past experiences to guide R&D initiatives.

Apply Agile, Lean, or hybrid delivery approaches appropriate to R&D work.

Continuously inspect and adapt processes to improve flow, learning, and outcomes.

Serve as a facilitator who helps teams remove impediments and stay focused on outcomes rather than outputs.

What you have

Required Qualifications :

Bachelor's degree in computer science, information management, business administration, or related field. Advanced degrees or professional certifications in relevant fields are a plus.

7+ years of experience in a technical, analytical, or delivery-focused role (e.g., software development, data, architecture, business analysis, product, or program delivery).

Comfort working across both technical and business domains

Experience with a breadth of technologies and a constant desire to learn about new ones

Experience working with cross-functional teams in Agile or iterative environments.

Demonstrated ability to organize work, manage dependencies, and drive initiatives forward.

Strategic thinking, resource management, and the ability to synthesize complex data to develop strategic insights.

Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to deliver high-quality results with minimal supervision.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to express ideas clearly, foster open dialogue, and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications :

Experience in R&D, innovation teams, or exploratory technology work.

Experience working in the financial services industry

Coding skills a plus

A fundamental understanding of crypto markets and digital asset technology (blockchain, smart contracts, etc.)

A fundamental understanding of Generative AI technology (prompting, RAG, Agents, etc.)

Background in product management, program management, scrum mastery, or product ownership.

Experience evaluating emerging technologies or technology trends and mapping them to business opportunities.

In addition to the salary range, this role is also eligible for bonus or incentive opportunities.

What's in it for you

At Schwab, you're empowered to shape your future. We champion your growth through meaningful work, continuous learning, and a culture of trust and collaboration-so you can build the skills to make a lasting impact. Our Hybrid Work and Flexibility approach balances our ongoing commitment to workplace flexibility, serving our clients, and our strong belief in the value of being together in person on a regular basis.

We offer a competitive benefits package that takes care of the whole you - both today and in the future :

401(k) with company match and Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time for vacation, volunteering, and 28-day sabbatical after every 5 years of service for eligible positions

Paid parental leave and family building benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Health, dental, and vision insurance

What's in it for you :

At Schwab, we're committed to empowering our employees' personal and professional success. Our purpose-driven, supportive culture, and focus on your development means you'll get the tools you need to make a positive difference in the finance industry. Our Hybrid Work and Flexibility approach balances our ongoing commitment to workplace flexibility, serving our clients, and our strong belief in the value of being together in person on a regular basis.

We offer a competitive benefits package that takes care of the whole you - both today and in the future :

401(k) with company match and Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time for vacation, volunteering, and 28-day sabbatical after every 5 years of service for eligible positions

Paid parental leave and family building benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Schwab is an affirmative action employer, focused on employing and advancing in employment, qualified women, racial and ethnic minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities in the workplace. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodations in the application process, contact Human Resources at applicantaccessibility@schwab.com or call 800-275-1281.