Senior Program Manager – Smart Wearables- San Jose

ByteDance ByteDance · Big Tech · San Jose, CA · R&D

The Senior Program Manager will partner with engineering teams on initiatives spanning the full product lifecycle, from incubation to delivery. This role involves end-to-end planning, execution, and de-risking of complex, cross-functional efforts involving hardware, software, and AI/ML technologies. Key responsibilities include driving program execution, leading cross-functional collaboration, coordinating incubation efforts, managing risks, communicating with stakeholders, optimizing processes, and managing resources and vendors. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in a technical field, 3+ years of program management experience in consumer electronics or wearables, and proven experience leading cross-functional projects involving hardware, software, and AI/ML.

What you'd actually do

  1. Drive Program Execution: Develop and maintain comprehensive program plans with clear timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure on-time, on-scope, and on-budget delivery.
  2. Lead Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the key liaison between hardware product, hardware technology, software, and AI teams to align on goals, track technical progress, and swiftly resolve development challenges.
  3. Coordinate Incubation Efforts: Steer hardware incubation initiatives while staying current on emerging technologies and assessing their product applicability.
  4. Manage Risks Proactively: Identify potential program risks, architect robust mitigation strategies, and ensure critical issues are addressed to maintain project momentum and protect timelines.
  5. Communicate with Stakeholders: Provide clear, consistent, and regular status updates to all stakeholders, highlighting key progress, roadblocks, and risk factors.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, computer science or a related technical field.
  • 3+ years of program or project management experience in consumer electronics or wearable technology.
  • Proven experience leading cross-functional projects that involve hardware, software, and AI/ML technologies.
  • Exceptional leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

Nice to have

  • Master's degree or PMP, PRINCE2, or similar project management certification.
  • Direct experience with AR/MR systems, optics, display, sensor technologies, or on-device AI applications.
  • Familiarity with the end-to-end hardware product development lifecycle, including supply chain and manufacturing processes.
  • A strong track record of adaptability and creative problem-solving in fast-paced, innovative environments.
  • Passion for wearable technology and a vision for its future applications.

What the JD emphasized

  • Proven experience leading cross-functional projects that involve hardware, software, and AI/ML technologies.