Head of Programs - Robotics in Carlsbad, California at Proper Voltage

Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Recruiting agencies: Proper Voltage does not accept unsolicited candidate submissions. Please do not contact any employees directly unless you have an existing engagement with the company.

About Proper Voltage

Proper Voltage is unlocking the next generation of battery technology across robotics, data centers, and defense.

We're building intelligent battery systems that make advanced chemistries (sodium-ion, lithium-titanate, lithium-silicon) work in products that were never designed for them. Humanoid robots can upgrade power systems without redesigning their entire platform. Data centers get safer, cheaper backup power. Drones and autonomous vehicles get higher energy density without lengthy integration cycles.

If you want to work on hard engineering problems that matter this is the place.

Job Overview

As the Head of Programs for Robotics at Proper Voltage you will be the operational engine behind our robotics. You’ll build and drive the execution plans that bring hardware, electrical, software, and manufacturing workstreams together, ensuring the organization is always moving with clarity and purpose. With a forward-looking perspective you will identify what’s coming, shape our approach, and work hand-in-hand with engineering and executive leadership to maintain an unobstructed path from development through production.

Beyond execution, you will be a key voice in the evolution of our product roadmap. You’ll help ensure that our portfolio vision is grounded in technical reality, that we’re investing in the right capabilities at the right time, and that our organizational growth aligns with the demands of future programs.

What you'll do

• Develop and drive the execution plan for robotics programs, owning timelines, dependencies, and the critical path. Ensure the team always understands what activities move the schedule and where focused attention is required.
• Serve as the connective tissue across the organization, ensuring hardware, software, test, operations, and leadership stay tightly aligned throughout development and into production.
• Champion clear, consistent communication, maintaining a shared understanding of scope, status, risks, and decisions across the engineering organization and executive team.
• Identify, document, and manage program risks, facilitating alignment on mitigation strategies or risk acceptance and ensuring decisions are recorded and acted upon.
• Partner with the Product and Programs function on developing and refining internal processes and tools, representing what engineering teams need most today while also looking ahead to future scaling requirements.
• Model the behaviors and leadership qualities that define our culture, serving as a visible advocate for collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Proven success in leading complex electromechanical products through to volume production
• Demonstrated experience operating with high levels of ambiguity
• 7 or more years of experience in technical program management, systems, new product introduction or product engineering
• Bachelor’s or graduate degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, or Aerospace Engineering.
• Familiarity with product lifecycle management tools such as Duro, Arena, or equivalent.
• Experience defining and maintaining test plans, documentation, and configuration control.
• Strong technical background with comfort in multidisciplinary environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and driven to enforce process consistency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in startups or high-growth technology companies, demonstrating adaptability and versatility across engineering disciplines.
• Proficiency with Project, Smartsheets or similar project planning tools
• Proficiency with Jira, Confluence, or similar workflow, requirements, and knowledge management tools.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $180,000 to $220,000 depending on experience and location.
• Company equity
• Health, dental, vision insurance.
• Flexible PTO with a generous holiday policy.
• Hybrid-friendly work schedule, with travel as required for customer engagement.