Who we are:
Pronto AI is a global leader in commercializing autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, deploying Autonomous Haulage Systems (AHS) that automate operations in mines, quarries, and construction sites worldwide. While much of the industry remains in R&D, we deliver real, production-ready autonomy that is already operating in the field.
We are on a mission to make mining operations safer, smarter, and more efficient through cutting-edge technology, and we are building toward becoming the world's first profitable AV technology company.
About the role:
The NPI TPM owns the handoff between engineering and the field: taking a released kit design through first builds, pilot units, and full production ramp, across Hardware, EE, Firmware, Robotics, Software, Operations, and Manufacturing. This role sequences every new kit program end to end, whether it's a new sensor mast for an off-road mining platform or a new upfit kit for an on-road Class 8 tractor, and owns launch readiness for each one.
This is a cross-functional execution role, not a design role. The NPI TPM does not do the engineering; they make sure every team's work lands in the right order, dependencies are tracked before they cause a slip, and each program clears its build and QC gates before it moves forward.
What you'll do:
Program Sequencing & Cross-Team CoordinationSequence each new kit program end to end across Hardware, EE, Firmware, Robotics, Software, Operations, and Manufacturing, so no team starts a step before its inputs are ready.
Own the master schedule for each active kit program, keeping design, build, and manufacturing milestones synchronized across teams.
Run program syncs and design reviews, and drive open decisions to closure rather than let them linger across teams
Cross-Program Dependency TrackingTrack dependencies and shared resources across concurrent kit programs, and flag conflicts (like one team supporting two programs at once) before they cause a slip.
Maintain a single source of truth for program status, blockers, and interdependencies.
Escalate resourcing or sequencing conflicts to engineering and program leadership with a clear recommendation, not just a flag.
Launch Readiness & Build TransitionsOwn the readiness criteria for each program gate: first-article build, pilot build, cut-in and ECO execution, and full production ramp.
Partner with NPI and Manufacturing Engineering on DFM/DFA feedback, work instructions, and build/QC checklists, so designs released by engineering are actually buildable at volume.
Drive the go/no-go decision at each gate, and own the retrospective when a gate is missed.
Field & Manufacturing Feedback LoopServe as the link between build and field issues and the engineering teams that own the design, closing the loop on defects found during test and pilot builds.
Make sure lessons from one kit program's build issues carry into the next program's design and process, instead of being rediscovered from scratch.
What we're looking for:
5+ years in technical program or product management for hardware, with direct experience taking a hardware or electromechanical product from design release through pilot build and into production.
Broad technical fluency across hardware, EE, firmware/software, and manufacturing, enough to sequence work and understand real blockers, without needing to be the deepest expert on any one team.
Track record owning a program schedule across four or more cross-functional teams with competing priorities.
Comfortable in ambiguity, including building a sequencing and tracking process where one doesn't fully exist yet.
Strong written and verbal communication, with the ability to run a design review or gate meeting and drive it to a decision.
Nice to have:
Experience with autonomous vehicle, robotics, or heavy industrial equipment kit programs, on-road transport or off-road/mining.
Experience with PLM or configuration management systems, BOM control, and ECO processes.
Familiarity with Linear or a similar tool for cross-team ticket and dependency tracking.
Prior experience at a company scaling from a handful to a double-digit number of concurrent hardware programs.
Why join us:
Work on real, production-deployed autonomy.
Build technology that directly improves safety, efficiency, and productivity.
Tackle complex challenges in demanding, real-world environments.
Be part of a fast-moving team with high ownership and impact.
See your work deployed and making a difference in the field.
Collaborate closely with experienced engineers and industry operators.
What else you need to knowThis role is based in our San Francisco office location. As a company driven by innovation and continuous change, close collaboration is essential. We're constantly reimagining our industry, creating new products and refining our processes, and we do our best work together. That's why all of our office-based teams work onsite, five days a week.
The base salary rang
