Ford Motor Company

Program Manager, Release Management

Ford Motor Company • $99K — $166K *
Dearborn, MI 48126In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field or equivalent experience.
  • 10+ years of experience in technical program management with a focus on software release management.
  • Deep understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and modern deployment practices.
  • Proficient in Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and use of tools like JIRA for project management.
  • Proven experience in leading cross-functional engineering teams and managing program risks.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and manage detailed release schedules for complex software projects.
  • Ensure on-time, high-quality software delivery for mass production.
  • Collaborate with development, QA, and testing teams to meet project timelines.
  • Utilize JIRA and Agile practices to track project progress and report to stakeholders.
  • Facilitate cross-functional partnerships and manage stakeholder expectations throughout the release lifecycle.
  • Identify risks and develop mitigation plans to ensure project completion.
  • Champion continuous improvement by optimizing release processes and implementing best practices.

Benefits

  • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage.
  • Flexible family care days and paid parental leave.
  • Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement.
  • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members.
  • Tuition assistance and support for community service initiatives.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Program Manager, Release Management

In this position...

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Technical Program Manager with a strong focus on Release Management to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be instrumental in coordinating the end-to-end software delivery lifecycle for complex projects, ensuring timely and high-quality releases for internal and external customers. You will leverage your expertise in program management, Agile methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration to drive successful software deployments from development to mass production and beyond.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...
  • Release Planning & Coordination:
    • Develop and manage detailed schedules for major or complex software projects, outlining all activities required for successful completion and release.
    • Drive on-time, high quality software delivery and readiness for mass production within the software development lifecycle.
    • Collaborate closely with development, quality assurance (QA), testing teams to deliver software on time to internal and external customers, including test releases, program milestones for new model launches, and future over-the-air (OTA) update releases.
  • Program Execution & Monitoring:
    • Manage the delivery of various gateway module software projects, utilizing JIRA dashboards and Agile methodologies (e.g., story/defect burndown) to track and report program progress.
    • Lead status reporting for all assigned programs, providing clear and concise updates to stakeholders through various channels, including release notes, Confluence/Jira status reports, and executive-level summaries
    • Track technical issues and proactively find solutions for program problems as they arise, ensuring minimal disruption to release schedules.
  • Stakeholder Management & Communication:
    • Facilitate and drive cross-functional collaboration and execution with key partners, including Engineering Teams, DevOps CI/CD, Verification & Validation (V&V), and OTA leads.
    • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to define project scope, establish priorities, identify technical interdependencies, and ensure alignment with overall organizational objectives.
    • Manage stakeholder expectations throughout the release lifecycle, proactively communicating changes and potential impacts
  • Risk Management & Quality Assurance:
    • Identify potential risks, develop comprehensive mitigation plans, and track them to closure, ensuring the timely completion of strategic projects and programs.
    • Define and monitor key quality metrics and KPIs to ensure software releases meet established standards.
    • Analyze defined data sets and frame decisions that have a significant impact on feature areas and release quality.
  • Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement:
    • Champion continuous improvement, gathering feedback and refining release processes to boost efficiency and reduce cycle times.
    • Lead post-release retrospectives and root cause analyses to identify process bottlenecks, systemic issues, and implement corrective actions.
    • Establish and document best practices for software release management, ensuring consistency and scalability across multiple projects and teams.
    • Identify, evaluate, and advocate for new tools, technologies, or automation opportunities to streamline the release pipeline and enhance overall efficiency.
    • Analyze release performance data and metrics to pinpoint areas for optimization and drive data-informed process enhancements.
    • Develop and implement strategies to reduce manual effort, improve transparency, and accelerate time-to-market for software releases.
    • Coach and mentor development and release teams on effective process adherence and continuous improvement methodologies.


Qualifications

You'll have...

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field or equivalent foreign equivalency Degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
  • 10+ years of experience in technical program management, with a strong focus on software release management.
  • 10+ Years of Software Delivery Lifecycle: Demonstrated strong understanding and practical experience with the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), modern software deployment practices (e.g., CI/CD, OTA updates), and release governance.
  • 10+ years in Agile Methodologies: Proven ability to manage complex software projects using Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and tools such as JIRA, including developing detailed project schedules and managing intricate interdependencies.
  • Strategic Leadership & Risk Management: 10+ years Experience leading cross-functional engineering and global teams, with a track record of identifying and mitigating program risks, resolving technical issues, and defining and monitoring quality metrics for data-driven decision-making.
    Even better, you may have...
  • Master's Degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering
  • Exceptional Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Superior communication, executive reporting, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence, engage, and manage diverse stakeholders across all organizational levels
  • Experience in the automotive industry or with embedded systems software
  • You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
    As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
    • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
    • Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
    • Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
    • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
    • Tuition assistance
    • Established and active employee resource groups
    • Paid time off for individual and team community service
    • A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
    • Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.


This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$166,200.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here:

Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid

#LI-JS1 .

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company manufactures or distributes automobiles in addition to offering financial services. The company sells to dealerships for retail sales, and for sale to fleet customers, including commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments. Ford’s vehicle portfolio includes automobiles, buses, tractors, and trucks. Retail financing includes retail installment sale contracts for new and used vehicles, and direct financing leases for new vehicles to retail customers, government entities, daily rental car companies, and fleet customers. Finance receivables in the non-consumer portfolio include products offered to automotive dealers. Ford’s environmental initiatives include compressed natural gas, flexible fuel vehicles, electric drive vehicles, Hydrogen, PC power management, and so on. Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903 and is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford Motor Company Careers

Join the dynamic team at Ford Motor Company, a global leader in automotive innovation and manufacturing. At Ford, we are committed to driving human progress by providing outstanding vehicles and mobility solutions. This is an exciting time to become part of our inclusive team, where job opportunities abound and growth is not just a possibility, but a promise.

Work You’ll Do

At Ford Motor Company, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our professionals are at the forefront of automotive technology, leading projects that redefine transportation and sustainability. With a culture rooted in continuous improvement and respect for all, Ford offers a workplace where leadership, diversity training, and innovation are part of everyday life.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

Ford’s commitment to excellence is why we are a leader in the automotive sector. We offer a variety of career paths, from engineering to marketing, all designed to foster professional and personal growth. Our team benefits from Ford’s commitment to professional development and networking opportunities, ensuring that every team member can reach their full potential.

Innovative Work

Engage in work that makes a difference. Ford Motor Company is pioneering developments in electrification, autonomous vehicles, and smart mobility solutions. Our team of over 190,000 employees worldwide is dedicated to crafting experiences that improve the way the world moves.

Be Part of a Great Team

Working at Ford means more than just having a job; it means being part of a global family. Our culture promotes teamwork, integrity, and respect—values that underpin everything we do. We believe in nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment where every employee can thrive.

Future-Proof Your Career

Ford Motor Company is not just a great place to work; it’s a place to build a lasting career. Our employees enjoy competitive benefits, comprehensive health care, and retirement plans that rank among the best in the industry. We support career advancement through extensive training programs and hands-on experience in the latest automotive technologies.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a student interested in an internship, Ford has opportunities that will harness your skills and ignite your ambition. Our hiring process is straightforward and respectful, designed to match your skills and passions with the right position.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Ready to start your journey with Ford? Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that’s building the future of transportation.

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Learn more about Ford Motor Company
Size
183,000 employees
Market Cap
$44.8 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
-$1.2 billion
Founded
1903
5 Year Trend
-2.1%
Revenue
$127.1 billion
NASDAQ
F
* Ladders Estimates

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