AI use among architectural and engineering managers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for architectural and engineering managers: 3% (little observed).

Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.

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About the job

Matternet is building the future of delivery with autonomous drone networks that move critical goods faster, cleaner, and at lower cost. We work with partners across healthcare, logistics, food, and retail to deliver everything from medical items to everyday essentials, safely and reliably.

We're hiring an Engineering Program Manager to be the connective tissue across engineering, quality, manufacturing, supply chain, and flight operations — turning ambitious plans into shipped hardware, certified aircraft, and live commercial routes.

You'll report to the COO and sit close to the leadership team. This role sits at the center of a fast-moving, matrixed organization, which means your edge isn't any single technical skill — it's how well you connect people, surface the truth early, and keep everyone rowing in the same direction. The programs you run directly unlock fleet expansion and new market launches.

This isn't a role for someone who wants a stable, predictable roadmap. We're a startup building certified aircraft on startup timelines — plans will change, priorities will compress, and the job is to keep momentum without waiting for perfect information. If you need every dependency mapped before you'll move, this isn't the seat. If you're energized by tight timelines and enjoy building the plane while flying it, you'll fit right in.

In this role, you will:

Own the connective tissue — run cross-functional programs across engineering, quality, manufacturing, supply chain, and flight ops, with schedules and priorities visible to everyone who needs them.

Turn strategy into a plan people can run on — partner with leadership to define goals, key results and milestones, then hold every team accountable to them.

Be the translator and the truth-teller — bridge business, engineering, and operations so information moves fast and decisions get made on the full picture, not a partial one.

Keep the plan honest — track progress, flag risk early, and drive blockers to resolution before they become surprises.

Move fast without breaking trust — operate comfortably with aggressive, sometimes-shifting timelines, and keep teams aligned even when the plan changes mid-flight.

Coordinate the ground game — align cross-team activity for production, flight testing, and regulatory milestones.

Manage the outside world — keep partners and vendors on time and on budget.

Make the system better, not just the project — continuously sharpen how the team plans, tracks, and communicates.

Requirements

Technical degree (BS/MS in engineering or related field)

5+ years managing complex, multi-disciplinary technical programs (hardware, software, manufacturing, and ops)

A communicator first — you translate fluently between engineers, execs, and partners, and make complex programs legible to anyone in the room

Proven track record in a matrixed org, juggling competing priorities without dropping the thread

Experience owning schedule, scope, and budget from concept to production

Comfort operating in regulated environments (aviation, automotive, or medical devices)

Working knowledge of agile frameworks

Fluency in Jira, Confluence, and similar tools

Experience working in a startup environment

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience taking hardware or systems from prototype into commercial production

Aviation or other regulated-industry background

Benefits

At Matternet, we’re advancing a new era of logistics, one where autonomous drones deliver what matters faster, cleaner, and more efficiently. We know our mission is challenging, but it's worth it, and we are committed to taking care of the people who make it possible.

Compensation: The expected starting range for this role is $160,000–$205,000, based on San Francisco Bay Area market data. This range reflects the target starting pay for candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the role. Final compensation will depend on factors such as your experience, skills, level, location, and potential impact.

Total Rewards: In addition to base pay, our compensation packages include equity and benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts (FSA), unlimited paid time off, company holidays, and a 401(k) plan.