At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development and delivery of next-gen humanoid robots from prototype to production.
- Company: Join Humanoid, a pioneering tech company revolutionising robotics.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive equity, 30+ paid days off, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Collaborate with world-class engineers and have direct access to leadership.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of robotics innovation and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in programme management, ideally in robotics or tech.
The predicted salary is between 69750 - 85250 £ per year.
Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential.
That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots.
We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.
About The Role
Humanoid is seeking a highly driven and experienced
Product Programme Manager to join our Product Department. This critical role will lead the end‑to‑end development and delivery programme and relevant product-related projects for Humanoid's next‑generation bipedal humanoid robot fleet solution – from Alpha prototype to production version, and from early adoption to mass deployment and further to different version obsolescence.
As the anchor for the development, launch and deployment process, you will drive cross‑functional coordination across Product, Engineering, Operations, and Marketing teams to ensure that the solution is delivered on‑time, on‑cost, on‑quality, and on‑spec.
This is a highly collaborative role, requiring deep expertise in programme delivery and budget management across both technical and non‑technical workstreams , as well as in product lifecycle for products that combine cutting edge hardware and software technologies.
You will work closely with Engineering's
Technical Programme Managers (TPMs) , who own the detailed technical execution of the mechanical, actuation, controls, perception and other AI systems that underpin safe and reliable bipedal locomotion, manipulation and interaction, to ensure their workstreams are integrated into the overall programme plan, as well as other key stakeholders.
The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a structured delivery and product‑oriented mindset, and the ability to operate confidently across a diverse stakeholder landscape.
- What You’ll Do
- Lead the full lifecycle programme management of the humanoid robot fleet solution development & deployment – from planning, design, prototyping, testing, manufacturing to launch, early to mass deployment, version update to obsolescence or repurposing.
- Act as the central coordination point between Product, Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Marketing, Business Development and Finance to align resources, schedules, and deliverables.
- Develop and maintain programme plans, risk registers, dependency maps, and stage gates to ensure structured and transparent delivery.
- Champion best‑in‑class governance, reporting, and communication processes to ensure all stakeholders remain informed and engaged.
- Identify and mitigate programme risks and issues early to maintain momentum and resolve delivery challenges.
- Support the Product Department in defining scope, prioritisation, and trade‑off decisions throughout the development & deployment cycles.
- Drive alignment between cross‑functional teams and facilitate decision‑making to unblock issues across technical and operational domains.
- Own programme budget planning and management across development, testing, tooling, and deployment phases – building and maintaining the budget, tracking actual spend against plan, forecasting variances, managing change control on cost impacts, and reporting budget performance to senior stakeholders.
- Partner with Engineering's Technical Programme Managers (TPMs) to drive delivery of the bipedal locomotion, whole‑body control, sensor integration, and safety/certification workstreams – ensuring their technical plans and test campaigns are reflected in the overall programme schedule and dependencies, with progress reported transparently to stakeholders.
TPMs own the detailed technical execution and design decisions; this role owns the programme‑level integration, sequencing, and accountability for outcomes.
- Work with Engineering TPMs, Supply Chain, and Finance to manage the commercial, budget, and schedule aspects of supplier/partner relationships for critical bipedal subsystems (actuators, gearboxes, batteries, sensors), and to translate technical KPIs (e. g. locomotion performance, MTBF, production readiness) into programme‑level cost, schedule, and quality reporting.
- What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, Industrial Design Engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
- 7+ years of experience in programme or project management roles within technology or product development environments, preferably in Robotics or Consumer electronics environments, having followed different stages of product lifecycles.
- Formal project management qualification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent).
- Proven track record of successfully delivering complex, multi‑disciplinary hardware and/or software product development programmes.
- Strong experience in managing cross‑functional teams spanning engineering, operations, manufacturing, finance, and supply chain.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem‑solving skills.
- Ability to work in a fast‑paced and evolving environment, driving clarity and direction across multiple teams.
- Experience owning or managing programme budgets for complex hardware/technology programmes, including cost tracking, forecasting, and reporting.
- Experience partnering with technical/engineering leads (e. g.
Technical Programme Managers) on complex hardware programmes – ideally including legged or bipedal robotics, or closely related fields such as locomotion research or actuator‑driven mechatronic systems – with enough technical fluency (actuators, controls, sensors, robotics safety standards) to translate technical risk into programme impact and make informed scope and trade‑off decisions, without requiring hands‑on engineering ownership.
- Nice To Have
- Direct experience working on or managing a bipedal or legged humanoid robot programme, from prototype through to production and deployment.
- Experience with mass‑production ramp‑up of complex robotic or mechatronic hardware, including supplier qualification and manufacturing scale‑up.
- Familiarity with simulation‑to‑real transfer, digital twin practices, or reinforcement‑learning‑based control as used in modern humanoid development.
What We Offer
- Competitive equity: stock options with meaningful upside as we scale.
- 30+ paid days off, including 23 days of annual leave, all UK bank holidays, and additional company closure days (including Christmas–New Year shutdown).
- Private healthcare, including virtual and in‑person care.
- Pension scheme with 8% total contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on full earnings.
- Free daily breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks in‑office.
- Work at the frontier - collaborate daily with world‑class engineers, researchers, and product experts building the next generation of AI and humanoid robotics.
- Real ownership - direct access to founding leadership, meaningful input on product direction, and the ability to drive key initiatives from day one.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Product Programme Manager employer: Soapbox
At Elliptic, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our team enjoys a dynamic work environment where continuous learning and professional growth are encouraged, alongside competitive benefits and a commitment to work-life balance. Located in a vibrant tech hub, we offer unique opportunities to work with cutting-edge technologies while making a meaningful impact in the world of secure and scalable platforms.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Programme Manager
✨Dive into Robotics Meetups
Get yourself out there and connect with others in the robotics-automation field by attending local meetups and industry events. These gatherings are where the magic happens, and you might just rub shoulders with someone from Soapbox or get insider tips on upcoming vacancies.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Create a portfolio that highlights your robotics projects, whether they're personal, academic, or freelance. Share this on platforms like GitHub or your personal website, as it shows potential employers, like Soapbox, what you're made of and your hands-on experience in the field.
✨Utilise University Resources
If you're fresh out of university or still connected, don't underestimate your career services. They often have exclusive access to job fairs and employer networking events in technical fields like ours, so make sure you tap into those resources to discover openings at companies like Soapbox.
✨Engage in Online Communities
Join online communities that focus on robotics and automation, such as forums or LinkedIn groups. Engage in conversations, ask questions, and share insights. This not only builds your visibility but could also lead to direct connections at firms like Soapbox, which might have the full-time role you're after.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Programme Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the robotics and automation field, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills on your CV. Include specific programming languages, software platforms, and any relevant robotics experience. Don’t forget to mention any projects or systems you've developed – this info can really make you stand out!
Portfolio Perfection:Having a polished portfolio can speak volumes for a role in robotics. Include any relevant case studies, designs, or prototypes you've worked on. If you've participated in competitions or hackathons, showcase these achievements as well – they show initiative and problem-solving skills!
Tailored Cover Letter Magic:In your cover letter, don’t just tell us that you love robotics—tell us why you’re passionate about automation specifically! Explain how your skills can contribute to Soapbox’s projects and remember to connect your past experiences to what you'll be doing in this role.
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, such as in robotic process automation or machine learning, make sure they’re front and centre on your CV. These credentials show you're dedicated to your field and keep you up to date with industry standards – we love to see that!
How to prepare for a job interview at Soapbox
✨Showcase Your Technical Wizardry
For a role in robotics and automation at Soapbox, it's crucial to demonstrate your technical skills. Be prepared to dive into specifics about the programming languages and tools you’ve used, like Python or ROS (Robot Operating System). Brush up on your knowledge of algorithms and control systems, as these might come up during technical questions.
✨Bring Your Projects to Life
With a full-time position in robotics, you should have a portfolio of your projects ready to show. Whether it's a robot you built for a competition or a simple automation script, make sure you can discuss the challenges you faced and how you solved them. This hands-on experience is gold and shows you can apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
✨Think Like an Engineer
Expect some problem-solving scenarios during your interview. You might be asked to design a basic automation solution on the spot or troubleshoot a robotic system. Practising these types of technical questions can really set you apart, as they require critical thinking and a systematic approach to tackle problems.
✨Culture Fit Is Key!
Don’t underestimate the importance of cultural fit at Soapbox. They might ask about your teamwork experience and how you handle challenges with peers. Be ready to share examples of working in diverse teams, as collaboration is often central to projects in robotics and automation.