Technical Program Manager

Company background

Swarmbotics AI is a low-cost, swarm robotics company for industry and defense.  We see a world of ubiquitous low-cost robots transforming almost all aspects of society, but we see an urgent need in the defense industry.  We focus on building swarms of robots that incorporate a low-cost BOM, an autonomous stack optimized for off the shelf components, and a global planner that enables swarm capabilities for groups of robots to accomplish sophisticated tasks.  

Our first product is a defense application building Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), collectively termed - Attritable, Networked, Tactical Swarm (ANTS).  Each UGV in ANTS is an independently-tasked, attritable robot designed for on-demand and autonomous mobility.  When operating as a swarm, ANTS is capable of executing more advanced and coordinated, high-level capabilities across a battlespace.  ANTS will help solve some of the DoD’s biggest problems that will save lives and increase defense capabilities.

Stephen Houghton and Drew Watson are the Founders and have decades of experience in self-driving cars and trucks, humanoids, and UAVs with experience from NASA, JPL, Cruise, Embark, McKinsey, Amazon, and the CIA.  

Position Description
Swarmbotics is seeking a seasoned Technical Program Manager to drive the development and deployment of our autonomous ground vehicle systems for defense applications. This role is central to ensuring our engineering initiatives and DoD contracts are strategically aligned, well-resourced, and executed with precision across the product lifecycle. As a TPM at Swarmbotics, you’ll work closely with engineering, business development, and operations to advance the development, testing, and deployment of autonomous ground vehicle systems for complex and dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Programs: Work closely with company leadership to manage the full lifecycle of technical programs, from planning and development through integration, testing, and deployment
• Project Planning & Risk Management: Work closely with company leadership to define project scope, manage scope changes, develop schedules, and proactively identify and mitigate project risks
• Customer Engagement: Serve as an additional technical interface for DoD customers, accurately representing the capabilities and progress of Swarmbotics’ robotic systems
• Contract Management: Develop and manage program documents, including statements of work, financial reports, and contract deliverables, ensuring adherence to schedule and budget

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Robotics, or relevant experience
• 2-5 years experience in technical program management and/or systems engineering within robotics or a related hardware-intensive field
• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs in a defense or high-tech environment
• Experience across TRL 1-9 product development phases
• Knowledge of government contract structure, documentation, compliance, and reporting requirements
• Strong organizational and communication skills; ability to effectively interface with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance

• Experience with autonomous ground vehicle systems or robotics in dynamic operational settings

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for the position.  Swarmbotics is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, caste, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for the position. Swarmbotics is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, caste, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law.