Sr. Technical Program Manager Release Management, Partner Programs

Job description

About Us Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter.

From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world.

The road to the future is uncharted.

By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward.

Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.

Role Summary Join us to lead the software release process for our key automotive partners.

You will adapt Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies' proven release framework to deliver high-quality over-the-air (OTA) updates, orchestrating the entire lifecycle from code to customer.

A key part of this role is architecting and executing a branching strategy that aligns Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies and partner roadmaps while supporting their unique development cadences.

Responsibilities - Architect and implement a robust branching and release strategy that supports parallel development for Rivian and partner programs, managing dependencies and integration points.

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to scope and plan the release schedule for OTA updates, ensuring alignment with program milestones and software development timelines.

- Partner with DevOps and infrastructure teams to streamline CI/CD pipelines, build processes, and release automation for the partner programs.

- Drive the bug triage process, working with technical leads to identify and prioritize fixes for inclusion in each release based on severity, technical risk, and delivery milestones.

- Proactively identify, track, and mitigate risks to the release schedule and quality, communicating status and dependencies clearly to all stakeholders.

- Serve as the primary liaison between Rivian and partner engineering teams for all software release matters, ensuring clear communication and coordinated execution.

- Oversee post-release monitoring and incident response coordination, and conduct post-mortems to drive continuous improvement in the release process.

Qualifications - BS or MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field with 5+ years relevant experience.

- 5+ years of Technical or Engineering Program Management experience, with a focus on software release management.

- Proven experience in managing complex software release trains, preferably in a multi-program or multi-brand environment.

- Strong understanding of source code management, branching strategies (e.g., GitFlow, Trunk-Based Development), and CI/CD principles.

- Hands-on experience with repository management (monorepo/polyrepo) and associated tooling is highly desired.

- Expert in agile and waterfall development processes using Jira and other program management tools.

- Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to lead technical discussions and drive decisions.

Pay Disclosure Salary Range/Hourly Rate for California Based Applicants: $132,100 - $165,100 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26.

Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment.

Part-Time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.

Equal Opportunity Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities.

If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

Candidate Data Privacy Rivian and VW Group Technologies (“Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies”) may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”).

This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.

Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.

Required Skill Profession

Computer Occupations