Senior Program Manager

About Bonsai Robotics

Bonsai Robotics develops affordable, vision-based autonomy that makes off-road equipment smarter, safer, and more productive. We are redefining outdoor autonomy with Bonsai Intelligence, a connected platform that’s inspired by biology to see, think, and act with precision like a human. We bring together advanced perception, embodied AI, integrations with equipment manufacturers, and our compact, modular Amiga vehicles to deliver reliable automation to the world’s most demanding field operations - reducing costs and increasing operational efficiencies.

About the role

We are looking for a Senior Program Manager who can bring order to a fast-moving, resource-constrained organization - someone comfortable wearing multiple hats, working with lean teams, and helping us bring the proper program discipline needed to scale. You'll be the connective tissue across Product Management, Hardware Engineering, and Software Engineering - driving schedules, owning scope, managing budgets, managing dependencies, surfacing risk, and keeping leadership aligned on program status.

What you'll do

• Serve as the programs leader and primary link between cross functional product development teams; Product, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality.
• Own end-to-end program plans spanning product, hardware development (mechanical, electrical, manufacturing), and software development (firmware, controls, autonomy stack)
• Build and maintain integrated program charters, scopes, budgets and schedules, identifying cross-team dependencies and critical path risks before they cause slip
• Run program cadences (stand-ups, milestone reviews, leadership-level status updates) across product and engineering disciplines
• Track budget, scope, and resourcing against plan; escalate tradeoffs to leadership with clear options
• Manage risk registers and drive mitigation plans for technical and schedule risk
• Coordinate with supply chain/procurement on hardware lead times and how they affect integration milestones
• Serve as the primary point of contact for program status to leadership stakeholders
• Help formalize program management processes and reporting as the company scales

Qualifications

• PMP certification
• 5+ years program management experience in a hardware-and-software product environment (robotics, autonomous systems, industrial hardware, or similar)
• Demonstrated ability to manage schedules and dependencies across product management, mechanical/electrical, and software engineering teams
• Comfortable operating in a small, fast-paced startup environment with limited process scaffolding - you'll be building some of it
• Strong command of program management tools (e.g., Jira, Gantt chart, etc.) and reporting to leadership stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication; skilled at aligning Product and Engineering stakeholders with different priorities and vocabularies

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred

• Experience in both startup and larger/established company environments - able to bring scalable process rigor without over-engineering for a small team
• Experience in robotics, autonomous vehicles, or embedded systems
• Familiarity with Agile and stage-gate/NPI processes and how to reconcile them in one program

Additional Details

• This role is majority on-site at our offices in San Jose and Watsonville, CA.
• Some travel may be required to support customers, partners, field deployments, and key company initiatives.

Life at Bonsai Robotics

At Bonsai, we're building the future of robotics and we know that means investing in our people. We're committed to creating a workplace where you can do your best work, grow your skills, and feel genuinely part of something bigger.

Hybrid Flexibility (for selective roles)

We operate on a hybrid model because we believe the best collaboration happens both in person and from where you work best. You'll have the flexibility to split your time between our office and home, so you can stay connected to the team while maintaining the balance that works for you.

Work-life Balance

The best employees are those who create balance in their lives, which is why we prioritize balance and well-being for everyone at Bonsai. We foster a supportive environment where teammates look out for each other.

Covered Lunch

On in-office days, we've got lunch covered. It's a small thing that makes a big difference, with more time to connect with teammates and less to worry about.

Wellness and Benefits

Your health matters. We offer comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), mental health support, and wellness programs designed to help you thrive both physically and mentally.

Collaborative Culture

At Bonsai, you're not just part of a team, you're part of a community. We celebrate wins together, support each other through challenges, and genuinely enjoy the people we work with. From team events to cross-functional collaboration, we're building something together.

Mission-driven Work

Every day, you're contributing to advancements in robotics that matter. If you're excited about innovation and impact, you'll find it here.

Bonsai Robotics is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or nationality, ancestry, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status or any other category protected by law.