Technical program manager Jobs in Naperville, IL

Position Overview

International is seeking a dynamic and driven Program Manager – Technical Projects to lead high‑impact product and manufacturing insourcing programs that shape the future of commercial vehicles.

In this role, you will operate at the center of innovation—guiding complex, cross‑functional initiatives from concept through launch. Under the direction of PMO leadership, you’ll own the full lifecycle of multiple product development programs, ensuring each one delivers on quality, timing, and financial objectives.

You’ll partner with engineering, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, and other key stakeholders to build alignment, remove roadblocks, and keep teams moving with clarity and purpose. Your leadership will directly influence the success of our next‑generation vehicle solutions.

What You’ll Lead & Deliver:

• Drive program planning, execution, and governance across concurrent development initiatives
• Mobilize and inspire cross‑functional teams without direct authority
• Balance technical, financial, and operational priorities in a fast‑moving, highly matrixed environment
• Ensure programs meet their performance, schedule, and cost targets
• Serve as the central point of accountability—owning outcomes and driving results

What Success Looks Like:

You excel at navigating complexity, building trust, and keeping teams aligned—even when timelines are tight and priorities shift. You bring a proven ability to lead cross-functional programs at scale and thrive in environments where speed, collaboration, and disciplined execution are essential.

As a Program Manager, you will hold ultimate responsibility for program success—ensuring every initiative meets its quality, timing, and financial commitments.

Responsibilities

• Drive program strategy from end to end—defining scope, building budgets, and developing detailed schedules aligned to leadership direction.
• Own program planning excellence, using Microsoft Project, cPlace, Jira, and critical path analysis to keep complex initiatives on track.
• Lead cross-functional problem‑solving, tackling ambiguous technical and operational challenges where no precedent exists and driving corrective actions through to completion.
• Champion continuous improvement, applying best practices and industry insight to elevate our products, processes, and overall program performance.
• Facilitate alignment and governance, including leading Configuration Change Board (CCB) meetings and overseeing risk and issue investigations with clear mitigation plans.
• Influence without authority, guiding diverse internal and external stakeholders, identifying resource needs, and providing coaching to less experienced team members.
• Engage with senior leadership, delivering concise program updates to executive audiences and serving as the primary interface for customers and cross-functional teams.
• Lead globally, with up to 25% travel across South America, Mexico, and Europe to support suppliers, manufacturing sites, and program execution.
• Own delivery, managing programs from initiation through launch to ensure they meet performance, schedule, and financial targets.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of technical project/program management experience
• At least 1 years of lead experience

OR

• Master's degree and at least 3 years of technical project/program management experience
• At least 1 years of lead experience

OR

• At least 8 years of technical project/program management experience
• At least 1 years of lead experience

Additional Requirements

• Qualified candidates, excluding current employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee or Asylee) to be employed in the United States. We do not anticipate providing employment related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status)

Desired Skills

• Proven experience driving programs that integrate software and hardware into cohesive, production‑ready vehicle systems.
• Strong understanding of automotive functional software development, from architecture through validation and release.
• Hands-on familiarity with HIL, bench, on‑vehicle testing, and calibration maturity cycles, ensuring seamless end‑to‑end development.
• Solid grounding in Agile methodologies, including sprint planning, backlog management, and Jira-based execution.
• Demonstrated ability to lead global, cross‑regional teams, navigating different time zones, cultures, and working styles with ease.
• PMP or PgMP certification strongly preferred, showcasing disciplined program leadership.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt training/certification is a plus, reflecting capability in process optimization and operational excellence.
• MBA preferred, highlighting strong business acumen and strategic thinking.

Benefits and Compensation

This position offers competitive market-based compensation, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing. You can learn more about the benefits offered for this position by visiting https://careers.international.com/#benefits.

The expected salary offered for this position will fall within the stated range, with the final offer based on the candidates' applicable skills, knowledge, and experience.

Company Overview

About TRATON
With its brands Scania, MAN, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus, TRATON SE is the parent and holding company of the TRATON GROUP and one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. The Group’s product portfolio comprises trucks, buses, and light-duty commercial vehicles. “Transforming Transportation Together. For a sustainable world.”: this intention underlines the Company’s ambition to have a lasting and sustainable impact on the commercial vehicle business and on the Group’s commercial growth.

About International
From a one-man company built on the world-changing invention of the McCormick reaper in 1831, to the 15,000-person-strong company we are today, few companies can lay claim to a history like International. Based in Lisle, Illinois, International Motors, LLC* creates solutions that deliver greater uptime and productivity to our customers throughout the full operation of our commercial vehicles. We build International® trucks and engines and IC Bus® school and commercial buses that are as tough and as smart as the people who drive them. We also develop Fleetrite® aftermarket parts. In everything we do, our vision is to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility to create the cleaner, safer world we all deserve. As of 2021, we joined Scania, MAN and Volkswagen Truck & Bus in TRATON GROUP, a global champion of the truck and transport services industry. To learn more, visit International.com.

*International Motors, LLC is d/b/a International Motors USA in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Utah.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to access the online application system or participate in the interview process due to your disability, please email HUB@International.com to request assistance. Kindly specify Job Requisition Number / Job Title and Location in response. Otherwise, your request may not be considered.