Technical Program Manager, Software - Karman

Karman is a fast-growing energy technology company using distributed artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the clean energy transition and better serve utility customers. As the electric grid becomes more complex with the rapid increase of electric vehicles, distributed solar, batteries, heat pumps and extreme weather, utilities need real-time visibility of grid conditions. Utilidata’s distributed AI platform, powered by our custom NVIDIA chip, is transforming the way utility companies operate with real-time visibility at the grid edge to better utilize customer energy resources, reduce power outages, and enable quicker storm recovery.

We are looking for a Technical Program Manager (TPM) to join our technical program management team and work in direct support of our software development teams. This individual will play a pivotal role in driving cross-functional initiatives, ensuring the successful delivery of complex technical projects distributed across engineering work streams. The TPM acts as a bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders, coordinating efforts to meet strategic goals efficiently. Their time will be focused on managing team sprints, code reviews, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) cycles to ensure rapid progress and iteration. We are looking for candidates who are mission-driven, collaborative, and adaptive. This is a remote position based in the United States. Candidates will be expected to collaborate cross-functionally with remote teams based across the country.

Responsibilities

• Define, implement, and optimize program management processes to enhance cross-functional collaboration and delivery efficiency
• Develop and monitor project plans, timelines, and performance metrics to ensure alignment with organizational goals
• Develop and drive the adoption of agile best practices
• Collaborate with engineering, product management, and operations teams to define technical requirements, priorities, and resource allocation
• Manage risks related to code stability, feature creep, and version control
• Drive the adoption of tools and frameworks that improve project tracking, stakeholder communication, and overall program delivery
• Support the coordination and execution of complex, cross-functional projects from initiation to completion
• Track and report on key program metrics, such as delivery timelines, priority shifts, resource utilization, and risk mitigation efforts
• Facilitate communication and alignment across teams to identify and resolve bottlenecks, dependencies, and conflicts

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in program management, project management, or a related role in a technical environment or a combination of educational and professional experience commensurate with this level of professional experience
• Technical background or hands-on experience in software development or engineering
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles (SDLC) and agile methodologies
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Coordinate internal technical work for co-development and partner engagements
• Support the external partner interface alongside Customer Program Manager (CPM) coverage, while retaining ownership of technical coordination and internal tradeoffs
• Proven track record of managing compliance efforts and guiding initiatives to obtain security certifications such as IEC 62443
• Experience drive cross-cutting initiatives and distribution of related work across engineering work streams
• Comfortable asking detailed engineering questions and translating technical work into coordinated plans
• Technical depth sufficient to understand partner-facing integration questions and constraints
• Demonstrated ability to manage a technical partner integration where requirements were unclear or evolving
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Experience managing global hardware and software deployments
• Proficiency in project management tools such as Jira, Trello, or Microsoft Project
• Willingness to travel up to 10% of time

Enhanced Qualifications (Nice to Have)

• Master’s degree in a technical or business discipline
• Certifications such as PMP, CSM, or SAFe Agile
• Real-time control-systems experience
• Experience leading programs involving both software and hardware
• Prior experience with co-development or OEM/partner engagements
• Experience with security certification planning or compliance coordination
• Familiarity with data analytics, machine learning, or AI-driven initiatives
• Strong understanding of DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines

Salary Range: $140,000 to $190,000 base compensation depending on experience and level, plus stock options. This role spans multiple job levels; final level and compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience.

Location: This position can be performed remotely from anywhere in the United States.

Our Commitments:

Karman values the diversity of our team. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or childbirth, sexual orientation, genetics, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.

We are committed to:

• Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is welcoming, supportive, affirming and respectful
• Empowering employees to solve problems and work together to make a difference
• Providing mentorship and growth opportunities as part of a collaborative team
• A flexible work environment with flexible paid time off
• Competitive compensation and benefits, including health, dental, vision, and employer-match 401k