Technical Program Manager, Robotics and Computer Vision

At Toyota Research Institute (TRI), we're on a mission to improve the quality of human life. We're developing new tools and capabilities to amplify the human experience via high-risk, high-reward, use-inspired research. To lead a transformative shift in mobility for Toyota, we've built a world-class team in human-centred AI, human interactive driving, energy and materials, machine learning, and robotics.
We are seeking a Technical Program Manager to join the Opportunity Discovery and Technology Adoption (ODTA) team—a group focused on bridging the gap between groundbreaking robotics research and real-world impact.
In this role, you will enable the execution and cross-functional delivery of computer vision and robotics systems into manufacturing environments. You’ll work closely with our customers, machine learning and robotics researchers, software engineers, and commercialization/product leads to ensure alignment, manage technical dependencies, and deliver research-driven innovations that are grounded in operational reality. The team portfolio of projects includes a combination of internal hand-off, internal collaboration, and external deployment projects.
Your ability to think and communicate at a systems level will be critical in enabling teams to collaborate effectively across subject areas and iterate toward scalable, production-ready solutions. The ideal candidate has a technical background in robotics or hardware/software systems and thrives at the intersection of applied research, real-world deployment, and execution excellence. Travel to U.S. manufacturing sites is expected approximately once per quarter.

Responsibilities

• Own program structures and decision-making frameworks that enable multidisciplinary teams to move quickly, iterate collaboratively, and stay focused on delivering customer value.
• Coordinate with customers, researchers, engineers, and product leads to define goals, translate needs into requirements, and surface technical dependencies.
• Translate complex technical ideas into actionable, multi-functional roadmaps, aligning efforts with real-world constraints and long-term vision.
• Enable the research-to-product funnel, aligning upstream research with downstream productization and deployment.
• Apply technical empathy and product grounding, ensuring architectures, interfaces, and workflows are realistic, integrated, and robust.
• Drive clear communication of scope, priorities, breakthroughs, and status across all levels—from engineering teams to executive partners.
• Proactively identify, track, and mitigate risks, spanning technical, organizational, and scheduling challenges.
• Deliver strategic clarity while shielding teams from disruption, preserving momentum and focus.
• Support operational readiness and on-site integration, including occasional travel to manufacturing sites to validate systems and stay vigilant between the lab and the field.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, robotics, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
• 4–6+ years of industry experience, including 2–3 years in a hands-on technical role (e.g., software development, robotics systems, or computer vision), and additional direct experience in technical program or project management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams across technical domains and drive execution from concept to deployment.
• Experience managing complex systems involving both hardware and software integration.
• Strong technical, analytical, and quantitative skills, with the ability to use data to back up recommendations and drive decisions.
• Experience conceptualizing complex interrelated applications and system platforms, as well as the ability to communicate those systems to non-technical partners. 

Bonus Qualifications

• Strong understanding of machine learning, computer vision, and ML concepts.
• Familiarity with robotic perception, planning, or real-time systems.
• Knowledge of high-performance computing and cloud-based ML training pipelines.
• Experience coordinating across institutions, departments, or distributed teams.
• Exposure to agile development methodologies and experience managing risk in early innovation projects.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $118,800 and $181,500/year for California-based roles; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Note that TRI offers a generous benefits package (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave) and an annual cash bonus structure. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
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