Technical Program Manager, Principal
We are Progress (Nasdaq: PRGS) - the trusted provider of software that enables our customers to develop, deploy and manage responsible, AI-powered applications and experiences with agility and ease.
We’re proud to have a diverse, global team where we value the individual and enrich our culture by considering varied perspectives because we believe people power progress. Join us as a Technical Program Manager , Principal and help us do what we do best. Learn more about us.
Overview: We are seeking an experienced Technical Program Manager with deep expertise in Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) to lead and coordinate complex, cross-functional technology programs. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical acumen with exceptional program management skills to drive delivery excellence across multiple agile teams and stakeholders. This role will work closely with our OpenEdge development teams, managing programs that leverage Progress OpenEdge platform for enterprise application development and modernization initiatives.
About the Role:
Program Management & Execution
- Lead end-to-end program planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale technical initiatives spanning multiple agile release trains (ARTs)
- Develop and maintain comprehensive program roadmaps, timelines, and dependency management across teams
- Facilitate PI (Program Increment) Planning sessions, ensuring alignment across teams and stakeholders
- Monitor program health through metrics, KPIs, and regular status reporting to executive leadership
- Identify, track, and mitigate program risks, issues, and dependencies proactively
- Manage program budgets, resource allocation, and vendor relationships
- Coordinate cross-functional AI initiatives involving data engineering, ML engineering, and research teams
SAFe Implementation & Leadership
- Champion SAFe practices and ceremonies including PI Planning, Scrum of Scrums, and PO Sync meetings
- Collaborate with Release Train Engineers (RTEs) to ensure smooth execution of agile release trains
- Drive continuous improvement through Inspect & Adapt workshops and innovation sprints
- Support portfolio management activities and strategic alignment with business objectives
- Mentor teams on SAFe best practices and agile principles
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Product Management, Engineering, Architecture, and Business stakeholders to define program vision and objectives
- Facilitate communication and alignment across distributed teams and time zones
- Build strong relationships with technical and business leaders to drive consensus and decision-making
- Coordinate with external vendors and third-party integration partners
Technical Leadership
- Provide technical guidance and insights to inform program decisions and trade-offs
- Understand system architecture and technical dependencies to anticipate integration challenges
- Review technical designs and ensure alignment with program goals and enterprise standards
- Drive technical debt reduction and architecture improvement initiatives
Your background:
- 10+ years of experience in technical program management or similar roles
- 7+ years of hands-on experience implementing and scaling SAFe practices
- Proven track record of successfully delivering complex, multi-team technical programs
- Experience managing programs with budgets of $5M+ and teams of 50+ people
SAFe & Agile Expertise
- SAFe Program Consultant (SPC), SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE), or equivalent certification required
- Deep understanding of SAFe principles, practices, and scaling patterns
- Strong knowledge of Agile/Scrum methodologies and DevOps practices
- Experience with agile tools such as Jira, or Azure DevOps
Technical Knowledge
- Strong technical background with experience in software development lifecycle
- Understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), microservices, and modern architecture patterns
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, automation, and infrastructure as code
- Ability to comprehend technical discussions and translate them for non-technical audiences
Program Management Skills
- Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities with attention to detail
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with data-driven decision-making approach
- Excellent risk management and mitigation capabilities
- Experience with program management tools and frameworks (PMP certification is a plus)
Soft Skills
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills for executive and technical audiences
- Proven leadership abilities with experience influencing without authority
- Strong facilitation and conflict resolution skills
- Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, dynamic environments
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field; Master's degree preferred
- PMP, PgMP, or similar program management certification
- Knowledge of Lean Portfolio Management and enterprise agile transformation
- Experience with distributed/remote team management
- Familiarity with AI/LLMs, vector databases, MCP, RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation), and AI orchestration frameworks
If this sounds like you and fits your experience and career goals, we’d be happy to chat. What we offer in return is the opportunity to experience a great company culture with wonderful colleagues to learn from and collaborate with and also to enjoy:
Compensation
- Competitive remuneration package
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan Enrolment
Vacation, Family, and Health
- 30 days of earned leave
- An extra day off for your birthday
- Various other leaves like marriage leave, casual leave, maternity, and paternity leave
- Premium Group Medical Insurance for employees and five dependents, personal accident insurance coverage, life insurance coverage
- Professional development reimbursement
- Interest subsidy on loans - either vehicle or personal loans
- Health club reimbursement
Together, We Make Progress
Progress is an inclusive workplace where opportunities to succeed are available to everyone. As a multicultural company serving a global community, we encourage a wide range of points of view and celebrate our diverse backgrounds. Our unique combination of perspectives inspires innovation, connects us to our customers and positively affects our communities. It is only by working together and learning from each other that we make Progress. Join us!