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Lead Program Manager - New Platform Validation Operations

Waymo· Operations
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Mountain View, California, San Francisco, California$190k - $234kFull-timePosted 4d ago

About the role

Lead Program Manager overseeing New Platform Validation Operations for onboarding new platform variants into validation fleets, with end-to-end program execution, executive stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration in a hybrid on-site role based in Mountain View and San Francisco.

Responsibilities

  • Lead NPI Platform Program Execution: Drive end-to-end program structuring for onboarding new platform variants into validation fleets, managing the critical path from arrival and upfit to testing and fleet deployment.
  • Executive Stakeholder Management & Influence: Serve as the primary operational partner to cross-functional leadership (Engineering, Product, Supply Chain, Safety), actively aligning dependencies, pushing back when necessary, and driving high-level decisions.
  • Hands-on Operational Problem Solving: Bridge high-level program strategy with ground-level realities, stepping directly into depot/field operations as needed to unblock issues and validate processes.
  • Align Planning with Execution: Spearhead operating plans that reconcile demand forecasts with field realities, dynamically adjusting for real-time vehicle online rates, upfit throughput, and operator constraints.
  • Executive Reporting & Visibility: Formulate, automate, and present executive dashboards and operating metrics, effectively communicating operational readiness, program risks, and fleet bottlenecks to senior leadership.
  • Optimize Fleet Efficiency & Yield: Partner cross-functionally to build capacity and forecasting frameworks that maximize validation yield and streamline vendor operational workflows.

Qualifications

  • Operational & Program Leadership: 7–10+ years of experience leading complex technical programs or physical operations, with a proven ability to structure ambiguous initiatives from concept to execution.
  • Executive Presence & Communication: Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders, communicate trade-offs clearly to executive leadership, and manage high-stakes cross-functional relationships.
  • Hands-on / "Scrappy" Mindset: Willingness to engage directly with ground-level depot workflows and physical hardware when technical roadblocks require operational triage.
  • Cross-Functional Orchestration: Proven track record aligning cross-functional teams (Engineering, Product, Supply Chain, Safety, Legal) across shifting timelines and competing priorities.

Skills

Required:Program leadershipExecutive stakeholder managementOperational problem solving

Benefits

  • Health and wellness: medical, dental, vision, mental wellness support, gym membership, and wellness programs.
  • Financial wellness: compensation, bonus opportunities, equity, and employee discounts.
  • Flexibility and time off: onsite or hybrid work model, remote options, paid time off, bereavement, sick, and parental leave.
  • Supporting families: enhanced leave options including 26 weeks for birthing parents and 18 weeks for non-birthing parents.
  • Community and personal development: education reimbursement, mentorship, ERGs, and volunteer time off.
  • Cool perks: access to Google offices, cafes, wellness centers, massages, and home fitness/cooking classes.
Last updated Oct 22, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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About Waymo

The World’s Most Experienced Driver

Waymo—formerly the Google self-driving car project—makes it safe and easy for people & things to get around with autonomous vehicles.

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