Technical Program Manager Jobs in California
Technical Program Manager jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in enterprise software, semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, and aerospace across seniority levels from associate to principal. The largest hiring centers are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Google, Apple, and Northrop Grumman maintain deep technical program management functions. Demand is particularly strong for technical program managers with experience in hardware development programs, AI platform delivery, and cross-functional cloud migrations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
As a Technical Program Manager (TPM) at Sanhua’s West Coast office, the candidate will be responsible for supporting OEM and Tier 1 customers as their primary technical contact. This role involves the development of thermal management and HVAC components for EV, PHEV, and AV applications, including refrigerant valves (SOVs, EXVs, CVs), refrigerant heat exchangers (chillers, liquid-cooled condensers), electric coolant and oil pumps, and battery cold plates. The candidate will work closely with global R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and testing teams to deliver high-quality, well-engineered products.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as the key technical interface for OEM and Tier 1 customers, supporting Sanhua’s business and product lines.
- Meet regularly with customer engineering and product teams to resolve technical, packaging, production, supply chain, and quality issues.
- Analyze product requirements and lead engineering activities, concept design, compliance matrix creation, and RFQ proposal reports.
- Understanding of thermal management systems, including refrigerant loops, coolant loops, and oil loops.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, such as casting, forging, brazing, machining, and injection molding, to product development.
- Coordinate the development of CAD models and 2D drawings, and direct simulation activities (CFD, FEA, and optimization studies) to support customer programs.
- Support HVAC and thermal system design and development, including component integration, testing, simulation, and system engineering.
- Track industry trends and work with the global R&D team to develop new products and improve existing ones.
- Lead discussions with manufacturing, process engineering, service, packaging, and supply chain teams to support product development and VA/VE (Value Analysis/Value Engineering) activities.
- Benchmark competitive thermal components and systems to quantify functional targets and develop engineering specifications.
- Open-mindedness to new ideas and perspectives, embracing different opinions and changes while maintaining a willingness to learn from others.
- Show strong ownership of projects, with self-motivation to take proactive action and effective communication skills to coordinate cross-functional teams.
- Develop technical documentation for existing and new products, including design specifications, manufacturing guidelines, and product catalogs.
- Represent Sanhua at industry conferences and symposiums, contributing to technical workshops, publications, and paper reviews.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, specializing in heat transfer, thermodynamics, HVAC&R, and fluid mechanics.
- MUST speak Mandarin
- 0-3 years of experience in thermal management for EV, PHEV, or AV applications, preferably within an OEM or Tier 1 supplier environment.
- Hands-on experience with refrigerant and coolant heat exchangers, sensors, valves, and pumps.
- Strong understanding of refrigerant-based, coolant-based, air-cooled systems, as well as injection-molded, brazed/welded/cast components and high-voltage products.
- Working knowledge of automotive system design, packaging, and assembly requirements.
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to work with global, cross-functional teams.
- Experience in plant operations and vehicle/program launches is a plus.
- Willingness to travel as required.
SUMMARY
This candidate has a strong technical background in automotive thermal management systems and expertise in technical program management, product development, engineering analysis, supply chain coordination, and industry research. Their ability to work cross-functionally with global teams and customers positions them as a key contributor to EV, PHEV, and AV thermal system innovations and optimizations.
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Find JobsTechnical Program Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Technical Program Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple177

- NVIDIA115

- Google87

- Amazon76

- Zoox47

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software743
- Electronics & Hardware252
- Banking & Financial Services82
- Science & Research72
- Automotive69
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in technical program manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field required
- Five or more years managing complex cross-functional technical programs end to end
- Demonstrated experience with Agile, Scrum, or SAFe program delivery methodologies
- Proficiency with program tracking tools such as Jira, Asana, or Microsoft Project
- Strong stakeholder communication skills across engineering, product, and executive teams
- PMP or equivalent program management certification preferred by most California employers
Technical Program Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a technical program manager in California?
California does not require a state-issued license to work as a technical program manager. Most California employers expect a bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science plus several years of hands-on technical delivery experience. Earning a PMP credential through the Project Management Institute strengthens candidacy significantly, as does experience in California's dominant industries including semiconductors, enterprise software, and defense systems.
How much do technical program managers make in California?
Technical program 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 program managers in California?
Employers hiring technical program managers in California right now include Apple, NVIDIA, and Google, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of hardware, cloud, and aerospace firms means technical program manager demand is distributed across both global headquarters and major regional engineering centers throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most technical program manager jobs?
San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale account for the largest share of technical program manager openings in California. The Bay Area dominates due to its density of enterprise software and semiconductor headquarters, while Los Angeles draws volume from media technology, aerospace, and defense primes, and San Diego's biotech and defense sector anchors its cluster of openings.
Are there remote technical program manager jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 26% of technical program manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how much of the coordination work happens in digital tools rather than on a physical site. Fully remote roles tend to concentrate in software platform and cloud program management rather than hardware or lab-dependent programs.
How can I get hired as a technical program manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving laterally from a technical contributor role such as software engineer, systems engineer, or QA lead, where you already participate in program rhythms. Large California employers like Intel, Salesforce, and Lockheed Martin run rotational and associate program manager tracks that accept candidates with strong technical backgrounds but limited formal PM experience. Building a PMP or CAPM credential alongside a portfolio of internal projects you coordinated makes that transition concrete for hiring managers.
Where can I find and apply to technical program manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to technical program manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from California employers. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
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