Technical Program Manager Jobs in San Diego, CA
Technical Program Manager jobs in San Diego are in strong demand, concentrated in Sorrento Valley, UTC, and the Torrey Pines research corridor across defense technology, biotech, and enterprise software. Employers hiring right now include Intuit, Dexcom, and Qualcomm. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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We are looking for an exceptional Senior Staff Technical Program Manager to join our Maritime Domain team, integrating Shield AI’s Hivemind Autonomy stack onto Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and, in the future, Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUVs). Your role will include starting programs from the ground up and guiding them through production and into operational employment. This role requires a self-starter who can integrate quickly with a fast-moving, highly competent team.
You will drive alignment across software development and integration activities with domestic and international customers while remaining synchronized with Business Development colleagues. This role requires close coordination with colleagues across Shield AI’s international teams, including offices in Europe and Asia, and a motivated, cross-functional leadership approach.
The ideal candidate has a combination of government and commercial program management experience, with strong, established fundamentals in coordinating complex, first-of-a-kind integration efforts. You will be responsible for driving cost, schedule, integration readiness, risk management, and successful operational outcomes while pushing the boundaries of maritime autonomy. We are looking for a candidate who can think critically and creatively while leveraging a firm foundation in managing risk across new and foundational programs.
What you'll do:
Lead Assigned Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Autonomy and Future Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) Integration Programs
Serve as the program manager for assigned USV programs, leading the integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software onto USV platforms.
Support the development and execution of future UUV autonomy integration programs as opportunities mature.
Establish Clear Objectives
Work closely with product managers, engineering leads, operations, and executive leadership to define clear program objectives tied to mission impact, customer success, strategic growth, financial outcomes, and technical performance.
Program & Project Management
- Own the development and execution of integrated program and project plans, including scope, schedules, milestones, dependencies, budgets, and resource allocation. Continuously evaluate and rebalance customer priorities, technical risks, cost constraints, and schedule demands throughout the program.
Drive Timely, High-Quality Decisions
Facilitate rigorous, fast, and effective technical and programmatic decision-making across cross-functional teams. While not expected to design systems directly, you will possess sufficient technical depth to identify risks, challenge assumptions, and drive alignment. Hands-on experience with software or autonomy products is an accelerator.
Integration & Test Readiness
Coordinate system integration activities across labs, ground testing, and sea trial operations. Drive readiness reviews, integration milestones, and closure of technical dependencies required to support successful USV/UUV integration and operational deployment.
Identify potential bottlenecks, critical-path risks, and schedule delays, and drive mitigation strategies to achieve program milestones and delivery commitments. Conduct critical-path analyses and support program execution through Gate Reviews, Program Management Reviews (PMRs), and Estimates at Completion (EACs).
Communicate with Excellence
Drive a consistent cadence of well-organized, effective meetings, including preparation, facilitation, action tracking, and follow-up. Ensure stakeholders remain aligned on status, milestones, priorities, risks, integration readiness, and technical challenges.
Drive Technical Execution
Support the development and refinement of technical and operational documentation, engineering change orders, work instructions, service bulletins, operational procedures, and integration documentation.
Empower Teams & Remove Obstacles
Create an environment where teams have the clarity, tools, accountability, and support needed to execute effectively. Escalate issues quickly, streamline processes, eliminate blockers, and foster a culture of ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement.
Deliver Outcomes
Drive accurate and timely tracking and reporting of program financials, resources, schedules, integration status, and customer deliverables.
Support Growth & Strategic Initiatives
Support business development activities related to current and future autonomy integration programs, including proposals, requests for information (RFIs), requests for proposals (RFPs), technical evaluations, and strategic customer engagements.
Required qualifications:
Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 9 years and a Master’s degree; or 7 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
Experience leading complex cross-functional engineering programs from concept through production and operational deployment.
Strong technical understanding of software-enabled systems, autonomy, aerospace systems, or complex integrated products.
Demonstrated success managing program execution across scope, schedule, budget, risk, and technical performance in fast-paced environments.
Experience with Program Management Reviews (PMRs), gate reviews, and estimates.
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead through influence across distributed teams.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills in fast-paced environments.
Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and ability to drive execution with high standards and collaboration.
Willingness to travel internationally
Preferred qualifications:
Experience integrating autonomy or software systems onto defense platforms.
Experience in software development, autonomy development, or systems engineering.
Experience managing clean-sheet defense or technology development programs.
PMP and/or Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification.
Familiarity with DoD contracting, defense acquisition, or national security programs.
Experience balancing aggressive timelines with complex engineering constraints.
Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret clearance or higher.
Full-time regular employee offer package:
We are looking for an exceptional Senior Staff Technical Program Manager to join our Maritime Domain team, integrating Shield AI’s Hivemind Autonomy stack onto Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and, in the future, Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUVs). Your role will include starting programs from the ground up and guiding them through production and into operational employment. This role requires a self-starter who can integrate quickly with a fast-moving, highly competent team.
You will drive alignment across software development and integration activities with domestic and international customers while remaining synchronized with Business Development colleagues. This role requires close coordination with colleagues across Shield AI’s international teams, including offices in Europe and Asia, and a motivated, cross-functional leadership approach.
The ideal candidate has a combination of government and commercial program management experience, with strong, established fundamentals in coordinating complex, first-of-a-kind integration efforts. You will be responsible for driving cost, schedule, integration readiness, risk management, and successful operational outcomes while pushing the boundaries of maritime autonomy. We are looking for a candidate who can think critically and creatively while leveraging a firm foundation in managing risk across new and foundational programs.
What you'll do:
Lead Assigned Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Autonomy and Future Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) Integration Programs
Serve as the program manager for assigned USV programs, leading the integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software onto USV platforms.
Support the development and execution of future UUV autonomy integration programs as opportunities mature.
Establish Clear Objectives
Work closely with product managers, engineering leads, operations, and executive leadership to define clear program objectives tied to mission impact, customer success, strategic growth, financial outcomes, and technical performance.
Program & Project Management
- Own the development and execution of integrated program and project plans, including scope, schedules, milestones, dependencies, budgets, and resource allocation. Continuously evaluate and rebalance customer priorities, technical risks, cost constraints, and schedule demands throughout the program.
Drive Timely, High-Quality Decisions
Facilitate rigorous, fast, and effective technical and programmatic decision-making across cross-functional teams. While not expected to design systems directly, you will possess sufficient technical depth to identify risks, challenge assumptions, and drive alignment. Hands-on experience with software or autonomy products is an accelerator.
Integration & Test Readiness
Coordinate system integration activities across labs, ground testing, and sea trial operations. Drive readiness reviews, integration milestones, and closure of technical dependencies required to support successful USV/UUV integration and operational deployment.
Identify potential bottlenecks, critical-path risks, and schedule delays, and drive mitigation strategies to achieve program milestones and delivery commitments. Conduct critical-path analyses and support program execution through Gate Reviews, Program Management Reviews (PMRs), and Estimates at Completion (EACs).
Communicate with Excellence
Drive a consistent cadence of well-organized, effective meetings, including preparation, facilitation, action tracking, and follow-up. Ensure stakeholders remain aligned on status, milestones, priorities, risks, integration readiness, and technical challenges.
Drive Technical Execution
Support the development and refinement of technical and operational documentation, engineering change orders, work instructions, service bulletins, operational procedures, and integration documentation.
Empower Teams & Remove Obstacles
Create an environment where teams have the clarity, tools, accountability, and support needed to execute effectively. Escalate issues quickly, streamline processes, eliminate blockers, and foster a culture of ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement.
Deliver Outcomes
Drive accurate and timely tracking and reporting of program financials, resources, schedules, integration status, and customer deliverables.
Support Growth & Strategic Initiatives
Support business development activities related to current and future autonomy integration programs, including proposals, requests for information (RFIs), requests for proposals (RFPs), technical evaluations, and strategic customer engagements.
Required qualifications:
Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 9 years and a Master’s degree; or 7 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
Experience leading complex cross-functional engineering programs from concept through production and operational deployment.
Strong technical understanding of software-enabled systems, autonomy, aerospace systems, or complex integrated products.
Demonstrated success managing program execution across scope, schedule, budget, risk, and technical performance in fast-paced environments.
Experience with Program Management Reviews (PMRs), gate reviews, and estimates.
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead through influence across distributed teams.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills in fast-paced environments.
Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and ability to drive execution with high standards and collaboration.
Willingness to travel internationally
Preferred qualifications:
Experience integrating autonomy or software systems onto defense platforms.
Experience in software development, autonomy development, or systems engineering.
Experience managing clean-sheet defense or technology development programs.
PMP and/or Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification.
Familiarity with DoD contracting, defense acquisition, or national security programs.
Experience balancing aggressive timelines with complex engineering constraints.
Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret clearance or higher.
Full-time regular employee offer package:
See All 627+ Technical Program Manager Jobs in San Diego
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Find JobsTechnical Program Manager Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Intuit132
- Dexcom66
- Qualcomm66
- Shield AI66
- Northrop Grumman66
Top Industries Hiring
- Medical Devices66
- Technology & Software66
- Aerospace & Defense33
Technical Program Manager Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a technical program manager job in San Diego?
San Diego's technical program manager market is driven by defense contractors, biotech companies, and enterprise software firms, with the heaviest concentration of roles in Sorrento Valley, UTC, and Kearny Mesa. Candidates with a background in hardware development cycles, clinical trial coordination, or systems integration stand out because those are the programs these employers actually run. Tailoring your resume to the sector, not just the title, makes a real difference in this market.
Which companies hire technical program managers in San Diego?
Employers hiring technical program managers in San Diego right now include Intuit, Dexcom, and Qualcomm, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's employer mix leans toward defense primes, medical device companies, and mid-size software firms, many of which run multi-year programs that need dedicated technical program management throughout.
Are there remote technical program manager jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the sector. Technical program management is more remote-friendly when the work is coordination-heavy and less tied to physical labs or secure facilities. About 38% of technical program manager openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with the remote options concentrated in software and cloud infrastructure roles rather than defense or biotech, where on-site presence is typically required.
How can I get a technical program manager job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is moving into a technical program manager role from a project coordinator or associate program manager position at a defense contractor or biotech firm, both of which hire entry-level program support staff regularly. Companies in Kearny Mesa and Sorrento Valley often post junior TPM or program analyst roles that develop into full technical program manager tracks. A PMP certification or relevant degree in engineering, computer science, or life sciences helps you compete for those entry points locally.
Which industries hire the most technical program managers in San Diego?
Most technical program manager openings in San Diego sit in Medical Devices, Technology & Software, and Aerospace & Defense, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's deep roots in defense contracting and life sciences create consistent, long-horizon program management demand that keeps hiring steady even when other tech markets soften.
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