Application Guide

How to Apply for Principal Technical Program Manager

at Hayden AI

🏢 About Hayden AI

Hayden AI is unique as a mission-driven company using computer vision specifically for urban mobility challenges like bus lane enforcement and transit optimization. They combine hardware, embedded software, edge AI, and cloud systems to help government agencies create safer, faster, and more sustainable cities. Working here means contributing directly to tangible improvements in public transit and urban infrastructure.

About This Role

As Principal Technical Program Manager, you'll own the entire engineering and business portfolio, translating competing commitments into executable plans across hardware, embedded software, edge AI, cloud, computer vision, fleet systems, and government deployments. This role is impactful because you'll be the single source of truth for all company programs, directly influencing how Hayden AI scales its mobile perception system to transform transit systems worldwide.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves reviewing portfolio status across hardware development, edge AI model updates, and cloud infrastructure while identifying dependencies and risks. You might facilitate a cross-functional meeting between engineering and growth teams to align on priorities, then prepare executive briefings on program health, followed by deep-dive sessions on specific technical challenges in computer vision deployment or government agency requirements.

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🎯 Who Hayden AI Is Looking For

  • Has deep experience managing cross-functional technical programs spanning hardware, embedded systems, edge AI, and cloud infrastructure simultaneously
  • Demonstrates fluency in computer vision/AI technologies and government/public sector deployment cycles and requirements
  • Proven ability to maintain portfolio governance across competing business commitments while holding the line when capacity and demand diverge
  • Can effectively communicate with executive leadership while driving technical conversations across engineering, growth, finance, and operations teams

📝 Tips for Applying to Hayden AI

1

Highlight specific experience managing programs that span hardware, embedded software, AND cloud/AI systems - not just software or just hardware

2

Quantify your impact on government or public sector deployments, emphasizing how you navigated unique requirements and timelines

3

Demonstrate your ability to create 'single source of truth' systems for program portfolios with concrete examples

4

Show how you've translated competing business commitments into coherent plans while maintaining delivery accountability

5

Include examples of working with computer vision or perception systems, especially in mobility or transportation contexts

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with cross-functional technical programs spanning the full stack (hardware to cloud)', 'Specific examples of managing competing business commitments and maintaining portfolio governance', "How you've worked with government agencies or public sector clients in deployment scenarios", 'Your understanding of computer vision applications in transportation/mobility contexts']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Hayden AI's specific products like their mobile perception system and current government deployments
  • → Urban mobility challenges in cities where Hayden AI operates (bus lane enforcement, transit optimization)
  • → The intersection of computer vision, edge computing, and hardware in transportation applications
  • → Recent news about Hayden AI's partnerships with transit agencies or government contracts

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would create and maintain a single source of truth for Hayden's entire engineering and business portfolio
2 Describe a time you had to hold the line when capacity and demand diverged across multiple competing commitments
3 How would you approach managing dependencies between hardware development, edge AI deployment, and government agency timelines?
4 What experience do you have with computer vision systems in production, particularly for mobility or transportation use cases?
5 How do you communicate technical risks and trade-offs to executive leadership while maintaining delivery accountability?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on software program management without hardware/embedded systems experience
  • Generic program management examples without specific metrics or outcomes in technical domains
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of government/public sector deployment cycles and requirements

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Hayden AI!

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