About the role
Before the detail, here's the challenge you'd help us solve. We build the embodied intelligence that moves real vehicles safely, and the ecosystem a billion machines will run on in the future. Very few people in AI can say this. Every role here, whatever the team, plugs into that. Here's what this particular role covers. We're seeking an exceptional Customer Program Manager to join our Germany-based team focused on localising and advancing Wayve's autonomous driving technology for the German market. This is a unique opportunity to play a hands-on role in shaping our AV capabilities in Germany from the ground up.
Responsibilities
•Lead cross-functional teams in executing complex customer programs, ensuring the successful achievement of program objectives.
•Establish and maintain a comprehensive project management framework, including project planning, risk management, change management, and task coordination.
•Engage with customers to understand and address their technical requirements and needs.
•Collaborate closely with teams across Product, R&D, and other departments to translate customer demands into clear, actionable technical requirements.
•Ensure efficient reporting both externally to customers and internally within the organisation.
•Work closely with internal development teams to align customer requirements with internal milestone planning and execution.
•Provide first-level support to customers, ensuring their needs are met promptly and effectively.
•Lead and oversee programs with OEM customers, spanning from early-stage advanced development initiatives to full-scale production programs.
•Collaborate closely with the customer to define and manage project plans, ensuring that requirements are seamlessly integrated into the internal development pipeline and delivered on schedule.
•Guide these programs using a deep understanding of the automotive industry and the development of embodied AI systems, identify and report potential risks, and implement robust change management.
Requirements
•Extensive program management experience in complex automotive software development.
•Proficient in utilising program management tools (e.g., Jira) to optimise workflow efficiency and ensure seamless project execution.
•Robust technical expertise with comprehensive knowledge of the automotive industry and software development.
•A proactive problem-solving mindset.
•Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
•Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
•Willingness to travel as needed.
•Knowledge of current AI advancements, including Generative AI, AV 2.0, and Large Language Models (LLMs).
•Hands-on experience in software development (Python, C++, Rust, …).
•A Master's degree in Engineering or Computer Science.
Not ticking every box? That's totally okay! If you're passionate about autonomy and keen to learn, you're encouraged to apply even if you don't meet every requirement.
About Wayve
Wayve is building the leading AI platform for autonomous driving. It pioneers an end-to-end AI approach that enables vehicles to learn directly from real-world experience, developing the ability to adapt, generalise and improve at scale. Instead of relying on hand-coded rules or pre-mapped environments, Wayve's AI Driver learns to drive by understanding the world around it. Wayve's mapless and hardware-agnostic AI platform integrates with global OEM partners, enabling continuous software evolution and unlocking advanced levels of automation from L2+ through to L4 as the core AI model scales.
How we work
Main hubs are in London, Sunnyvale, Yokohama, Herzliya, Vancouver and Leonberg. Wayve operates a hybrid working model that combines in-person collaboration in dedicated office spaces with focused time working remotely.
Interview process
•Initial call / recruiter screen (30 mins)
•Competency Interviews [Experience conversation with Hiring Manager, 60 mins]
•Deep-dive technical interviews [Automotive Product, 60 mins; Program Management & Cross Functional Collaboration, 60 mins]
•Final interview: [Mission & Values alignment, 30 mins]
Benefits
•Salaries benchmarked against the market annually
•Meaningful equity, sharing in the ownership and long term success of Wayve
•Relocation support and visa sponsorship where applicable
•Hybrid working, core hours and the chance to work hands on in vehicle workshops and labs
•Learning and development budgets with support for training, conferences and growth
•Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, retirement or pension where applicable, access to therapists, wellbeing partnerships, team socials and more
A quick, honest note: Wayve is not a mature, fully-structured place with the playbook already written. Much of how the team works is still being written, and if you join, you'll help write it. That suits people who want real ownership more than people who need a settled structure from day one.
