Vice President, Strategic Program Management Office (SPMO)

Vice President, Strategic Program Management Office (SPMO)

This executive leadership role will build and lead a strategic program management function during a period of rapid organizational and product-scale growth. You will establish the operating discipline, governance, and portfolio visibility needed to move complex hardware and software programs from development through launch and production. Reporting directly to the COO, you will influence the organization's most strategically important initiatives and provide clear guidance on priorities, risks, resources, and tradeoffs. The role combines executive leadership with hands-on engagement, including coaching Technical Program Managers and intervening directly when critical programs need support. You will work across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, finance, and commercial teams to create strong cross-functional alignment. Success will depend on improving program predictability, strengthening launch execution, and building scalable processes as the organization transitions toward high-volume production. This is an opportunity to shape the program management discipline of a category-defining robotics and automation business.

Accountabilities:

• Build, lead, and scale the Strategic Program Management Office, including hiring, mentoring, coaching, and performance management of Technical Program Managers.
• Establish consistent program management methodologies, tools, governance, and operating cadences across new product development, product launch, and other strategic programs.
• Own the portfolio-level view of active programs, including prioritization, sequencing, resource allocation, interdependencies, capacity, and cross-program tradeoffs.
• Partner with engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, finance, and commercial leadership to align teams around milestones, commitments, and launch objectives.
• Establish and lead executive program reviews, providing senior leadership with concise, data-driven visibility into program health, risks, dependencies, and recommended decisions.
• Identify at-risk programs early, develop recovery plans, and drive resolution of cross-functional blockers before they affect cost, quality, or launch timelines.
• Define and monitor program KPIs covering schedule, cost, quality, scope, and execution predictability, using insights to drive continuous improvement.
• Lead change management and increase process maturity as the organization evolves from prototype and pilot programs toward repeatable, high-volume production.
• Oversee program budgets and resource allocation in collaboration with Finance and functional leaders.
• Represent the program management function in strategic planning, new product introduction governance, and annual operating planning.
• Coach and develop program leaders while raising the organization-wide standard for execution, accountability, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Serve as a hands-on executive leader, stepping into critical programs when necessary to resolve complex issues and maintain momentum.

Requirements:

• 12+ years of technical program management or project management experience, including at least 5 years managing and developing teams of program or technical program managers.
• Proven experience leading new product introduction (NPI) or new product development (NPD) programs within hardware, robotics, automotive, aerospace, or other complex electromechanical product environments.
• Demonstrated success building or scaling a PMO or strategic program management organization within a rapidly growing or evolving business.
• Strong executive presence, with the ability to communicate program status, risks, dependencies, tradeoffs, and recommendations effectively to C-suite and board-level stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of program management methodologies, including stage-gate processes, risk management, critical-path and schedule management, and earned-value management or equivalent approaches.
• Significant experience working across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and quality organizations within a hardware-focused environment.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related discipline; an MBA or technical master's degree is advantageous.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program management certification is preferred.
• Experience in robotics, humanoid or mobile robotics, advanced automation, or another highly complex technology environment is strongly preferred.
• Experience taking an integrated hardware and software product from pilot production through a volume manufacturing ramp is a plus.
• Familiarity with modern program and portfolio management tools such as Smartsheet, Jira, Monday, or comparable platforms.
• Strong analytical, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities, with a disciplined approach to identifying and mitigating risk.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the credibility to influence senior leaders and align diverse technical and business teams.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, highly cross-functional environment where priorities and requirements can evolve quickly.
• Must currently be authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits:

• Base salary: $250,000$390,000 USD, with final compensation determined by factors including location, skills, knowledge, and experience.
• Equity: Company stock options.
• Annual bonus: Discretionary bonus eligibility for qualifying roles.
• 401(k): Company match of up to 6%.
• Healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees.
• Insurance: 100% company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Benefits from day one: Eligibility for benefits begins on the first day of employment.
• Paid time off: Flexible, unlimited PTO for exempt employees, plus 12 company holidays including a winter shutdown.
• Parental leave: Generous paid parental leave programs.
• Well-being: Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Professional development: Tuition reimbursement and opportunities for continued professional growth.
• Remote flexibility: Fully remote work, with hybrid options available for employees within commuting distance of offices in Salem, Oregon; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; or Fremont, California.
• Relocation: Assistance available for eligible roles.
• On-site perks: Catered lunches four times per week, plus healthy snacks and refreshments at applicable office locations.