[Hiring] Program Manager @Tailscale

Role Description

We're seeking a talented and motivated full-time Program Manager to join our team. This is a tactical, implementation-focused role, hands-on in shaping how EPD (Engineering, Product & Design) operates, works together, and stays productive:

• Building and refining the processes and rhythms that keep the org running.
• Driving improvement initiatives over time.
• Owning the processes behind EPD's operational health.
• Helping the team understand trends and spot where improvements are needed.

Because we're an early-stage and fully remote company, we're looking for an individual who can work independently to align the teams involved in building the product. A deep understanding of the technical engineering space is essential to being effective and credible in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the processes for bug tracking, incidents, reliability, and escalations, and continuously improve them to drive efficiency and progress toward EPD's operational health goals.
• Spot trends across operational health data and translate them into clear insights on how EPD is doing and where improvement is needed.
• Build dashboards and reports in tools like Jira and Snowflake that give EPD and the broader company visibility into operational health and progress.
• Turn data into a clear story: what it's telling us, why it matters, and what needs to change, then design and implement the process changes to act on it.
• Identify process gaps with EPD and proactively develop just the right amount of process to fill the gap: not too much, not too little.
• Support planning activities and project tracking processes, helping keep them running smoothly and consistently across EPD.
• Help run project status reviews, leadership roadmap reviews, and priority reviews, making sure the right information is ready and the right people are in the room.
• Connect the dots across systems, processes, and teams, spotting where disconnected efforts overlap, conflict, or could be simplified, and acting on it.
• Jump in on whatever initiative pops up in EPD that needs support, structure, or someone to help carry it forward.
• Handle project retrospectives involving participants and stakeholders to understand what went well and what should be adjusted in future project work.
• Seek opportunities to bring about ongoing improvement and simplification in business operating procedures and practices, leading to improved efficiency and effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Program Manager or Technical Program Manager (TPM), coordinating with stakeholders and cross-functional teams, particularly experience working closely within Engineering and with Product.
• Experience as a Program/Technical Program Manager in a remote startup environment.
• A deep, working understanding of the technical engineering space, including how engineering teams operate day to day, common workflows and tooling, and where technical and process friction tend to show up.
• Experience owning operational health processes, such as bug tracking, incidents, reliability, or escalations, and using them to drive measurable efficiency gains.
• Strong data skills, including building dashboards and reports in tools like Jira and Snowflake, and a solid understanding of how to read and interpret data.
• Ability to spot trends in data and translate them into a clear story: what's happening, why it matters, and what should change.
• Experience supporting planning cycles, project tracking, and recurring reviews, such as project status reviews or leadership roadmap and priority reviews.
• A comfort level with ambiguity and undefined deliverables.
• A tactical, execution-first orientation: you're energized by hands-on implementation and getting things done.
• Experience working with Engineering, Product, and Design leadership, understanding their motivations and priorities.
• Ability to give and process constructive feedback, as well as work independently.
• Ability to communicate openly, supporting and championing innovation and inclusivity.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and project management tools, such as Jira, Notion, and GitHub.
• Familiarity with technical solutions, engineering practices, and the security and engineering lifecycle.

Requirements

• US Pay Range: $114,000 — $143,000 USD

Benefits

• An inclusive, flexible environment where you can be your authentic self.
• A competitive total compensation package, including base salary, equity incentive plan, and variable commission.
• Comprehensive group benefits with no waiting period for health, vision, dental, and more.
• Remote first company with virtual and in-person social events.
• Employer-funded retirement contributions, matching dollar-for-dollar up to a maximum annual contribution.
• Opportunities for personal and professional development with $1500 USD annually for professional development.
• Flexible, paid time off program supporting work-life integration.
• A build-your-own home office setup with a company-owned laptop and workstation customization budget.
• Paid parental leave program with top-ups for birthing and non-birthing parents.