NPI Technical Program Manager
Physical Intelligence is hiring an NPI Technical Program Manager in San Francisco, United States. Level rates it ; you can apply on Physical Intelligence.
Level's read on this job
- Works on AI ●●●○ is how Level rates this role: the daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
- Tools and skills the posting cites include program management, supply chain and hardware manufacturing.
- Level classifies it as a mid-level role.
- Level lists 43 other open roles at Physical Intelligence.
AI in this role
Technical program manager to oversee hardware platform builds and supply chain for physical AI and robotics systems.
Physical Intelligence is bringing general-purpose AI into the physical world. We are a group of engineers, scientists, roboticists, and company builders developing foundation models and learning algorithms to power the robots of today and the physically-actuated devices of the future.
We are seeking a driven and resourceful Technical Program Manager to lead the charge on bringing our robot platforms online. This is your opportunity to sit at the heart of the action and make the next generation of hardware systems ready for researchers and deployments.
You'll own the end-to-end program execution, including but not limited to development schedules, risk mitigation, build matrix management, material forecasting and planning, Clear-to-Build (CTB) analysis, logistics readiness and troubleshooting, vendor follow-up, and configuration management across our hardware programs. You'll partner closely with hardware engineering, supply chain, build, fab, and fleet integration to communicate changes, analyze risk, and execute complex build plans in support of fast-moving research and deployment timelines.
In this role you will
Partner with Platform leads and the engineering team to drive program schedule, timelines and execution end to end.
Own build planning and production coordination for hardware platforms from part / tooling kickoff through production output to fleet hand-off.
Drive material forecasting, Clear-to-Build (CTB) analysis, dashboards, and readiness reporting to keep build schedules honest and risks visible.
Manage hardware staging and acceptance hand-offs to the fleet integration team.
Coordinate arrival of COTS hardware from global vendors, including modifications for repair, allocation, tracking, replenishment, and end-of-life management.
Run logistics readiness and troubleshooting for incoming components, and chase down the missing 2% before it becomes a blocker.
Route custom hardware requests across internal build and fabrication space and external vendors.
Partner with supply chain and procurement on vendor follow-up, lead-time management, and risk mitigation on long-lead and single-source parts.
Identify and implement process improvements in how PI plans, builds, and ships hardware as the program scales.
What we hope you'll bring
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field. Experience with shipping hardware is required.
3+ years of experience in operations, supply chain, manufacturing program support, or engineering program management, including cross-functional and vendor engagement.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with a proven ability to drive process improvements and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with operational tools such as Notion, Linear, Excel, project trackers, and procurement, ticketing, or workflow systems.
Excellent written and verbal communication. Able to translate engineering detail into clear status updates for both technical and executive audiences.
Willing to travel domestically and occasionally internationally to vendors and contract manufacturers.
Experience in R&D operations, robotics, or other technical environments with complex procurement, NPI, or capitalization requirements.
Familiarity with electromechanical systems, PCBA, machined parts, or robotics hardware.
Direct experience with build planning, BOM management, Clear-to-Build analysis, or material readiness for hardware programs.
Hands-on bias: a willingness to spend time on the build floor working alongside technicians and engineers.
Ability to identify and implement process improvements using data and cross-functional input.
Familiarity with ERP/MRP, PLM, or production tracking tools.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
How we rate this
NPI Technical Program Manager at Physical Intelligence rates 70 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- Tell me about a project where program management was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where supply chain was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where hardware manufacturing was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where logistics was part of your work. What did you do?
- Describe a typical day in a role like this one: which parts run through AI directly?
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Program Management, Supply Chain, Hardware Manufacturing, and Logistics. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
- Show where AI is part of your daily process, not a one-off project. This role expects it to be a running habit.
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