Program Manager II

Aquent, a leading talent solutions partner, is thrilled to collaborate with a pioneering autonomous driving technology company. This innovative organization is at the forefront of developing self-driving technology that will revolutionize how people and goods move, dedicated to making transportation safe and accessible for everyone. As a key contributor, you will play a critical role in ensuring the continuous safety and reliability of this groundbreaking technology, directly impacting the future of mobility for millions.

Ignite the Future of Autonomous Mobility: Drive Operational Excellence and Innovation

Are you an adaptable, proactive, and operationally grounded professional ready to make a tangible impact? Join a dynamic team focused on optimizing validation operations across cutting-edge autonomous vehicle testing fleets. This pivotal role offers a unique blend of strategic program coordination and hands-on operational oversight, putting you at the heart of innovation. You will be a core partner to regional validation leaders, working directly with third-party operating vendors, meticulously tracking fleet testing progress, investigating vehicle availability bottlenecks, and ensuring critical testing milestones are fulfilled safely and on schedule. Beyond daily tracking, you'll be empowered to leverage modern AI tools (such as Gemini and other large language models) to streamline operational workflows, synthesize crucial shift insights, and automate routine tasks. If you thrive in a fast-iterating environment, possess strong problem-solving instincts, and are excited to roll up your sleeves at operational depots, this is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of autonomous mobility and directly influence the safety and efficiency of next-generation transportation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze Daily Operational Data: Meticulously track shift fulfillment, online vehicle rates, and fleet configuration metrics across dashboards and spreadsheets; conduct in-depth root-cause analyses into performance dips (e.g., staffing gaps or vehicle downtime).
• Leadership Briefings & Performance Reporting: Generate clear, concise daily briefings and performance summaries for regional validation managers, translating raw field data into actionable operational insights that drive decision-making.
• Depot Ground Coordination: Engage directly on-site at operational vehicle depots to observe platform launches, triage operational delays, and inspect fleet rollout bottlenecks alongside vendor leads, ensuring smooth execution.
• Vendor Partner Oversight: Serve as a primary operational point of contact for third-party service vendors responsible for day-to-day driving operations and test execution, fostering clear communication and alignment with program goals.
• Fast-Paced Prioritization & Escalation Handling: Triage incoming operational escalations, ad-hoc requests, and shift changes in real time, exercising sound judgment to swiftly prioritize and resolve time-sensitive field blockers.
• AI-Assisted Workflow Optimization: Proactively utilize modern AI tools (including large language models like Gemini and AI assistants) to accelerate operational reporting, synthesize complex findings, analyze emerging trends, and automate repetitive administrative workflows, enhancing overall efficiency.
• Hands-On Problem Solving: Adapt to evolving program needs without hesitation, demonstrating a low-ego willingness to execute intensive manual reviews (such as auditing daily route prioritization matrices or dispatch plans) when systems require human verification to ensure accuracy.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner seamlessly with site operations leads, regional managers, product managers, safety teams, and engineering peers to coordinate seamless vehicle platform rollouts. (Note: This role does not involve vehicle driving or mechanical/maintenance repairs.)

Required Qualifications:

• Physical Operations Background: Hands-on experience working in environments with physical operations (e.g., fleet operations, logistics, warehousing, delivery fulfillment, transportation, or autonomous vehicle depot environments). Purely digital/software-only project management experience will not suffice for this role.
• Educational Background: An Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Business Analytics, Supply Chain/Logistics, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical operations experience).
• Operational Coordination Experience: Demonstrated experience in operations coordination, program management, logistics tracking, or technical operations, showcasing your ability to manage complex moving parts.
• Spreadsheet Proficiency: Strong hands-on capability with Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel, including experience building formulas, organizing raw datasets, and utilizing pivot tables to detect and analyze operational trends.
• AI Tooling Mindset: Active experience leveraging generative AI tools (e.g., Gemini, ChatGPT, or other large language models) as a daily productivity multiplier to draft documentation, interpret data trends, or streamline personal workflows.
• Adaptability & Resilience: High comfort with ambiguity and rapid organizational iteration ("things are always changing"); demonstrated self-management skills and ability to balance manual groundwork with high-level stakeholder communication.
• Tooling: Advanced proficiency with Google Workspace applications (Google Sheets, Docs, Slides, and Chat/Meet).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience within a high-growth autonomous vehicle (AV), robotics, or tech-logistics environment.
• Experience collaborating with third-party vendor operations, staffing agencies, or service supplier points of contact.
• Familiarity with operational dashboards and Business Intelligence (BI) platforms (e.g., Looker, Tableau, Power BI) or basic SQL queries.
• Experience presenting complex operational metrics and project roadmaps to cross-functional and senior leadership teams, effectively communicating insights and progress.