Technical Operations Manager Jobs in California
Technical Operations Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in technology, aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, and logistics across experience levels from associate manager through senior director. The largest hiring metros are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers like Northrop Grumman, Salesforce, and Kaiser Permanente consistently maintain technical operations teams. The most sought-after specializations in California include cloud and infrastructure operations, supply chain systems management, and regulated manufacturing environments. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 80+ Technical Operations Manager jobs
Location
Palo Alto, California
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
Hybrid
Department
Technology and InnovationElectronic Design
Compensation
- $213K – $266.3K • Offers Equity • Offers Bonus • This role has an annual bonus target of 20%
The posted salary represents the lowest and highest ranges RV Tech reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position. Any posted salary range pertains only to the estimated starting pay for the role. Actual starting pay is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, skillset, qualifications, specific competencies, relevant education, and location.
About Us
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world.
The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.
Role Summary
As RVT's Electronic Control Unit (ECU) portfolio scales across brand partners and expands into triple-digit country roadmaps — against a backdrop of increasing semiconductor supply chain volatility — sustaining operations have shifted from a downstream function to a core strategic priority. Our Electrical Hardware Technical Program Management team is seeking a Senior Manager to build and lead the ECU sustaining engineering and operations — leveraging both in-house expertise as well as outsourced debug, design, simulation, test/validation engineering services support to get the job done. This role sits at the intersection of engineering execution and programmatic strategy, requiring deep experience in ECU design as well as process development, coalition-building and initiative leadership. .
In this role, you will own the post-launch lifecycle of ECU hardware across Zonal, Battery, Infotainment and Connectivity ECUs . This scope includes field return and RMA disposition, failure analysis and root cause, containment and corrective action with our contract manufacturers, engineering change and deviation control, component obsolescence and second-source qualification, and cost-down and end-of-life transitions. You will be the accountable owner for sustaining issues that reach the plant and/or field, and the person who converts what we learn there into design, test, process, and supplier improvements to integrate into our upstream NPI workflows..
This role also carries direct accountability for the third-party engineering partners who deliver mechanical engineering and design, component engineering, and reliability test and validation for the ECU portfolio. You will define statements of work, set deliverable and quality expectations, manage capacity and spend, and ensure outsourced scope integrates cleanly with internal execution. The successful candidate brings strong program management instincts, a hands-on technical foundation in electronics hardware, and the organizational influence to drive complex, multi-team, multi-supplier efforts to completion.
Responsibilities
Build and lead best-in-class ECU sustaining engineering and operations team — failure analysis, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, technical program management, and document control — with domain coverage across Zonal, Battery, Infotainment ,Connectivity, and vehicle access ECUs.
Lead development and implementation of plant/field triage process across brand partners from greenfield state. Define and scale the sustaining operating model as the ECU portfolio grows across vehicle platforms and brand partner programs, including process definition, tooling, and a resource plan that balances internal headcount against outsourced scope.
Own the portfolio of engineering service providers and Contract Manufacture partners that deliver post-ramp design, validation, qualification, and failure analysis — including the workflows, systems integration, and scalable processes that make sustaining operations repeatable across the ECU portfolio. Define statements of work, deliverables, capacity, and spend, and hold partners accountable to quality and schedule.
Drive for uninterrupted supply from build readiness through mass production: capacity and ramp planning, mitigation of shortages/EOL/single-source risk, and the design refresh and ECO decisions required to keep products buildable in partnership with Purchasing organizations across brand partners.
Own the RMA and change-management system with Contract Manufactures, component suppliers, Quality, and Design Engineering — driving root cause to closure — and ensure operational readiness milestones, dependencies, and risks are integrated and escalated within top-line ECU and vehicle program schedules.
Own engineering change control for the ECU portfolio, including ECO, ECR, and deviation workflows, review board cadence, document control, and traceability between as-designed and as-built configurations.
Lead escalations with contract manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers: containment, rework and deviation decisions, corrective action verification, and executive-level escalation when supplier response does not meet program need.
Serve as the primary sustaining interface to Design Engineering, Quality, Service, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Brand program teams; represent sustaining positions at change boards and program gates.
Establish and report sustaining KPIs — field PPM, RMA volume and forecast, failure analysis throughput, NTF rate, change cycle time, and cost of poor quality — and use them to drive continuous improvement and resourcing decisions.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
12+ years of experience in electronics hardware sustaining engineering, hardware quality, failure analysis, or technical program management in the automotive, aerospace, or consumer electronics industry.
5+ years of direct people leadership, including hiring, mentoring, and developing engineers and program managers.
BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.
Demonstrated ownership of field return, RMA, and failure analysis processes for high-volume electronic assemblies, including structured problem solving methods such as 8D, 5-Why, and FMEA.
Working knowledge of PCBA design and manufacturing processes and their associated failure modes, including SMT, press-fit and connector processes, conformal coating, potting, and fastening and torque control.
Experience working with contract manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers in a build-to-print model, including onsite quality escalation, containment, rework, and corrective action verification.
Experience with component engineering, including obsolescence and EOL management, second-source and alternate material qualification, and PCN/PDN disposition.
Familiarity with ISO 26262 functional safety concepts for ASIL-rated hardware and with IATF 16949 change control practices, including PPAP and deviation management.
Experience managing outsourced engineering partners or staff augmentation vendors under a statement of work, including scope definition, deliverable acceptance, and budget control.
Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities; comfortable working directly with measurement and test data, capability metrics, and program dashboards.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to escalate clearly and factually to executive audiences and to translate technical detail for non-engineering stakeholders.
Experience with Atlassian-based applications, including Jira and Confluence.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally to contract manufacturer, supplier, and vehicle program locations as needed.
Eager to explore AI-driven solutions across communication, reporting, visualizations and analysis.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with a Build-to-Print Contract Manufacturer model, as well as JDM [Joint Development Manufacturer] or Tier 1 supplier partners in a co-development context.
Experience sustaining high-compute Infotainment and Connectivity ECUs or zonal controllers in a software-defined vehicle architecture.
Experience standing up a sustaining engineering organization, including process definition, tooling selection, and resource modeling.
Experience working with 3rd party engineering firms to amplify engineering resources
Total Rewards
We build the exceptional — and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.
Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect, and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), subject to board approval and the terms of our equity incentive plans, including applicable vesting requirements.
In addition to our compensation programs, we invest in our people with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial future for full-time employees — including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country. Learn more about our global benefit programs.
External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers).
Equal Opportunity
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies” may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) record keeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
If you provide a mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use that number to contact you via SMS text message for recruitment-related purposes, including scheduling, logistics, and status updates. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of applying for or being considered for employment.
-
Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.
Compensation Range: $213K - $266.3KLocation
Palo Alto, California
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
Hybrid
Department
Technology and InnovationElectronic Design
Compensation
- $213K – $266.3K • Offers Equity • Offers Bonus • This role has an annual bonus target of 20%
The posted salary represents the lowest and highest ranges RV Tech reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position. Any posted salary range pertains only to the estimated starting pay for the role. Actual starting pay is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, skillset, qualifications, specific competencies, relevant education, and location.
About Us
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world.
The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.
Role Summary
As RVT's Electronic Control Unit (ECU) portfolio scales across brand partners and expands into triple-digit country roadmaps — against a backdrop of increasing semiconductor supply chain volatility — sustaining operations have shifted from a downstream function to a core strategic priority. Our Electrical Hardware Technical Program Management team is seeking a Senior Manager to build and lead the ECU sustaining engineering and operations — leveraging both in-house expertise as well as outsourced debug, design, simulation, test/validation engineering services support to get the job done. This role sits at the intersection of engineering execution and programmatic strategy, requiring deep experience in ECU design as well as process development, coalition-building and initiative leadership. .
In this role, you will own the post-launch lifecycle of ECU hardware across Zonal, Battery, Infotainment and Connectivity ECUs . This scope includes field return and RMA disposition, failure analysis and root cause, containment and corrective action with our contract manufacturers, engineering change and deviation control, component obsolescence and second-source qualification, and cost-down and end-of-life transitions. You will be the accountable owner for sustaining issues that reach the plant and/or field, and the person who converts what we learn there into design, test, process, and supplier improvements to integrate into our upstream NPI workflows..
This role also carries direct accountability for the third-party engineering partners who deliver mechanical engineering and design, component engineering, and reliability test and validation for the ECU portfolio. You will define statements of work, set deliverable and quality expectations, manage capacity and spend, and ensure outsourced scope integrates cleanly with internal execution. The successful candidate brings strong program management instincts, a hands-on technical foundation in electronics hardware, and the organizational influence to drive complex, multi-team, multi-supplier efforts to completion.
Responsibilities
Build and lead best-in-class ECU sustaining engineering and operations team — failure analysis, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, technical program management, and document control — with domain coverage across Zonal, Battery, Infotainment ,Connectivity, and vehicle access ECUs.
Lead development and implementation of plant/field triage process across brand partners from greenfield state. Define and scale the sustaining operating model as the ECU portfolio grows across vehicle platforms and brand partner programs, including process definition, tooling, and a resource plan that balances internal headcount against outsourced scope.
Own the portfolio of engineering service providers and Contract Manufacture partners that deliver post-ramp design, validation, qualification, and failure analysis — including the workflows, systems integration, and scalable processes that make sustaining operations repeatable across the ECU portfolio. Define statements of work, deliverables, capacity, and spend, and hold partners accountable to quality and schedule.
Drive for uninterrupted supply from build readiness through mass production: capacity and ramp planning, mitigation of shortages/EOL/single-source risk, and the design refresh and ECO decisions required to keep products buildable in partnership with Purchasing organizations across brand partners.
Own the RMA and change-management system with Contract Manufactures, component suppliers, Quality, and Design Engineering — driving root cause to closure — and ensure operational readiness milestones, dependencies, and risks are integrated and escalated within top-line ECU and vehicle program schedules.
Own engineering change control for the ECU portfolio, including ECO, ECR, and deviation workflows, review board cadence, document control, and traceability between as-designed and as-built configurations.
Lead escalations with contract manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers: containment, rework and deviation decisions, corrective action verification, and executive-level escalation when supplier response does not meet program need.
Serve as the primary sustaining interface to Design Engineering, Quality, Service, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Brand program teams; represent sustaining positions at change boards and program gates.
Establish and report sustaining KPIs — field PPM, RMA volume and forecast, failure analysis throughput, NTF rate, change cycle time, and cost of poor quality — and use them to drive continuous improvement and resourcing decisions.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
12+ years of experience in electronics hardware sustaining engineering, hardware quality, failure analysis, or technical program management in the automotive, aerospace, or consumer electronics industry.
5+ years of direct people leadership, including hiring, mentoring, and developing engineers and program managers.
BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.
Demonstrated ownership of field return, RMA, and failure analysis processes for high-volume electronic assemblies, including structured problem solving methods such as 8D, 5-Why, and FMEA.
Working knowledge of PCBA design and manufacturing processes and their associated failure modes, including SMT, press-fit and connector processes, conformal coating, potting, and fastening and torque control.
Experience working with contract manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers in a build-to-print model, including onsite quality escalation, containment, rework, and corrective action verification.
Experience with component engineering, including obsolescence and EOL management, second-source and alternate material qualification, and PCN/PDN disposition.
Familiarity with ISO 26262 functional safety concepts for ASIL-rated hardware and with IATF 16949 change control practices, including PPAP and deviation management.
Experience managing outsourced engineering partners or staff augmentation vendors under a statement of work, including scope definition, deliverable acceptance, and budget control.
Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities; comfortable working directly with measurement and test data, capability metrics, and program dashboards.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to escalate clearly and factually to executive audiences and to translate technical detail for non-engineering stakeholders.
Experience with Atlassian-based applications, including Jira and Confluence.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally to contract manufacturer, supplier, and vehicle program locations as needed.
Eager to explore AI-driven solutions across communication, reporting, visualizations and analysis.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with a Build-to-Print Contract Manufacturer model, as well as JDM [Joint Development Manufacturer] or Tier 1 supplier partners in a co-development context.
Experience sustaining high-compute Infotainment and Connectivity ECUs or zonal controllers in a software-defined vehicle architecture.
Experience standing up a sustaining engineering organization, including process definition, tooling selection, and resource modeling.
Experience working with 3rd party engineering firms to amplify engineering resources
Total Rewards
We build the exceptional — and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.
Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect, and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), subject to board approval and the terms of our equity incentive plans, including applicable vesting requirements.
In addition to our compensation programs, we invest in our people with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial future for full-time employees — including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country. Learn more about our global benefit programs.
External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers).
Equal Opportunity
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies” may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) record keeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
If you provide a mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use that number to contact you via SMS text message for recruitment-related purposes, including scheduling, logistics, and status updates. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of applying for or being considered for employment.
-
Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.
Compensation Range: $213K - $266.3KSee All 80 Technical Operations Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsTechnical Operations Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Technical Operations Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
- Banking & Financial Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in technical operations manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, information technology, or a related technical field
- Five or more years of experience in technical operations or engineering management roles
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams in a California technology or manufacturing environment
- Proficiency with ITIL frameworks, ERP systems, or lean manufacturing methodologies
- Familiarity with California environmental health and safety regulations affecting operations sites
- Strong analytical and project management skills, often evidenced by PMP or Six Sigma certification
Technical Operations Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a technical operations manager in California?
Most technical operations managers in California follow a path that begins with a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or operations management, then builds several years of hands-on technical or engineering experience before moving into a management role. California employers in regulated sectors such as aerospace, medical devices, and utilities often expect familiarity with California-specific compliance standards. Advancing from a senior engineer or operations analyst role into a team lead position is the most common stepping stone.
How much do technical operations managers make in California?
Technical operations managers in California earn a median of about $218,290 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $129,970 for the lowest 10% to over $325,970 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire technical operations managers in California?
Employers hiring technical operations managers in California right now include Tesla, OpenAI, and Anduril, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, defense contractors, and large health systems means demand for this role is spread across multiple industries rather than a single sector.
Which California cities have the most technical operations manager jobs?
San Francisco, Palo Alto, and San Diego account for the most technical operations manager openings in California. The Bay Area's density of technology and semiconductor companies drives the largest share of postings, while Los Angeles draws demand from aerospace, entertainment technology, and logistics firms, and San Diego's biotech and defense clusters consistently add to the count.
Are there remote technical operations manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based roles because technical operations management often requires on-site oversight of infrastructure, facilities, or production environments. About 63% of technical operations manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026. The portions of the role most frequently offered remotely involve vendor coordination, metrics reporting, and strategic planning responsibilities.
How can I get hired as a technical operations manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into the role from an adjacent position such as operations analyst, IT systems administrator, or production supervisor, where you already oversee processes or small teams. Large California employers in tech and healthcare, including major Bay Area companies and health systems like Kaiser Permanente, run associate manager and rotational operations programs that accept candidates with limited direct management experience. Earning a PMP certification or completing a Six Sigma Green Belt course strengthens an application considerably in California's competitive market.
Where can I find and apply to technical operations manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to technical operations manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings by city or specialty to narrow results to roles that match your background, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 80 Technical Operations Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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