How to apply for Technical Program Manager

About Phaidra

Phaidra is pioneering AI-driven control systems for industrial efficiency, directly tackling energy waste and environmental impact. As a remote-first company, it offers a unique blend of cutting-edge AI technology and meaningful sustainability goals, making it an ideal workplace for those who want to drive real-world change.

About the role

As a Technical Program Manager, you will own the end-to-end delivery of complex, large-scale customer programs, from kickoff through long-term support. This role is impactful because you'll be the primary customer-facing leader, guiding enterprises through AI-driven transformations that reduce energy consumption and operational costs.

A typical day

A typical day might start with a stand-up with engineering and product teams to align on customer-specific configurations, followed by a strategic call with a data center customer to address deployment risks. Afternoon could involve reviewing program timelines, mitigating a supply chain delay, and preparing a quarterly business review for an enterprise client.

Who Phaidra is looking for

• Has 5+ years of technical program management experience, with a track record of independently leading complex, cross-functional initiatives in ambiguous environments.
• Possesses deep expertise in at least two of: data centers, industrial controls/automation systems, or AI/ML product integration, enabling them to navigate technical challenges with customers.
• Excels at building trust with enterprise customers and aligning cross-functional teams (engineering, product, operations) to deliver on time and within scope.
• Demonstrates strategic thinking and risk mitigation skills, capable of managing multi-site, multi-product deployments with high customization.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific examples of managing complex, multi-site customer programs with measurable outcomes (e.g., energy savings, uptime improvements).
• Emphasize your experience with industrial controls, automation, or data centers—mention specific technologies (e.g., PLCs, SCADA, BMS) if applicable.
• Showcase your ability to handle ambiguity by describing a situation where you defined the plan from scratch with limited initial information.
• Tailor your resume to include the phrase 'customer-facing program leader' and demonstrate how you acted as a trusted advisor.
• If you have experience with AI/ML product integration, explicitly link it to Phaidra's AI-driven control systems.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Your passion for sustainability and how Phaidra's mission aligns with your personal values.", 'Specific examples of leading large-scale, technically complex programs from kickoff to long-term support.', 'Your ability to bridge the gap between customer needs and engineering/product capabilities, ensuring successful deployments.', "Mention your domain expertise in data centers or industrial automation and how it applies to Phaidra's AI solutions."]

Research before applying

• Read Phaidra's blog and case studies to understand their AI control technology and real-world impact.
• Familiarize yourself with the industrial energy efficiency landscape and key competitors (e.g., Google's DeepMind for data centers).
• Review Phaidra's leadership team backgrounds, especially the CTO and CEO, to understand their vision.
• Look into any recent news or funding rounds to gauge company growth and priorities.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe a time you managed a multi-site deployment with varying customer requirements. How did you ensure consistency and success?
• How would you approach a customer who is skeptical about AI-driven control systems? Walk us through your strategy.
• Explain how you would prioritize competing demands from multiple stakeholders (customer, engineering, product) in a high-ambiguity program.
• Discuss a complex technical challenge you faced in industrial automation or data centers and how you resolved it.
• How do you measure success in a customer program? Provide metrics you'd track for Phaidra's deployments.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Don't focus solely on project management tools or methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum) without emphasizing technical depth and customer leadership.
• Avoid generic statements about 'passion for sustainability' without connecting it to your specific experience in industrial efficiency.
• Don't overlook the 'high ambiguity' aspect—your examples should show you can define structure from chaos, not just follow existing processes.