Volvo SDV Program Manager (W2 Only)

Job Title: Senior Technical Program Manager – Software Defined Vehicle (SDV)

Location: Chicago, IL Fully Onsite
Duration: Contract through End of Year (Potential Extension)
Employment Type: W2 Contract

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Technical Program Manager to lead complex cross-functional Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) development programs. This role will drive end-to-end delivery of automotive hardware, software, and system integration initiatives from concept through product launch and industrialization.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in automotive program management, embedded software development, systems integration, and stakeholder coordination within OEM or Tier-1 environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of cross-functional automotive programs involving hardware, software, and system integration.

• Drive execution across scope, schedule, cost, quality, and feature commitments.

• Develop and maintain program roadmaps, L1-L3 project plans, milestones, and dependency tracking.

• Coordinate activities across engineering teams including Embedded Software, EE Systems, Integration, Validation, Testing, Purchasing, and Suppliers.

• Manage program scope, requirements, technical decisions, and change control processes.

• Identify program risks, maintain risk registers, and drive mitigation strategies.

• Monitor budget performance, resource allocation, and utilization.

• Facilitate communication between product management, system architects, engineering teams, suppliers, and executive leadership.

• Prepare and present status updates, executive reports, and gate review materials.

• Ensure compliance with automotive quality standards, functional safety, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor''''s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.

• 8+ years of Program or Project Management experience within the automotive industry.

• Strong experience leading Software Defined Vehicle (SDV), Embedded Software, or EE Systems programs.

• Proven experience managing hardware and software integration projects.

• Expertise in project planning, milestone management, critical path analysis, and delivery execution.

• Experience managing budgets, resources, schedules, and project risks.

• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership skills.

• Experience working in OEM or Tier-1 automotive environments.

• Hands-on experience with Jira, Confluence, and project governance tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of ISO 26262 Functional Safety.

• Experience with automotive cybersecurity processes and standards.

• Familiarity with vehicle systems architecture, integration, verification, and validation.

• Experience coordinating globally distributed engineering teams.

• PMP, Agile, or related project management certifications are a plus.

Key Skills

• Software Defined Vehicle (SDV)

• Automotive Program Management

• Embedded Software Development

• Hardware & Software Integration

• Systems Engineering

• Project Planning & Scheduling

• Risk Management

• Budget & Resource Management

• Stakeholder Management

• Functional Safety (ISO 26262)

• Jira & Confluence

• Vehicle EE Architecture

• Verification & Validation

• Cross-Functional Leadership

Rate: Up to $40/hr W2
Work Authorization: Open