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Salary: USD 180,000 - 260,000 / annual
Gatik AI, a leader in autonomous middle-mile logistics, is seeking a Head of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) to serve as the central authority for enterprise-wide change management, configuration control, and product traceability. This is a foundational leadership role building a scalable PLM function from the ground up.
You will be responsible for maintaining and ensuring the growth of unified systems that track every change, update, and release across core engineering, hardware, software, and field operations. As the primary point of contact for PLM strategy implementation and execution, you will coordinate across the entire organization to ensure 100% traceability from early R&D through production and deployment.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading a high-performing PLM and Configuration Management function as the enterprise subject matter expert
- Ensuring strict, complete traceability of all product configurations and maintaining single source of truth accuracy across critical documentation, processes, and releases
- Overseeing enterprise Change Management processes across hardware, software, and operations; driving the Change Control Board (CCB) mandate
- Ensuring unified lifecycle approach bridging physical hardware releases, software deployments, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Designing, documenting, and implementing robust, scalable PLM processes for a rapidly growing organization
- Leading integration and continuous improvement of enterprise PLM software (e.g., Teamcenter, Windchill, Enovia, Arena) and integration with ERP and QMS systems
- Serving as key stakeholder in release management for production releases, working with Systems Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Field Operations
- Ensuring PLM processes support rigorous regulatory and safety standards (ISO 26262, UL 4600) and maintaining audit-ready posture
The role is onsite 5 days per week at the Santa Clara, CA office.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Information Systems, or related technical discipline
- Domain Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in Product Lifecycle Management, Configuration Management, or Systems Engineering within highly complex, safety-critical domains (autonomous vehicles, aerospace, robotics, medical devices)
- Leadership Experience: 5+ years of leadership experience managing PLM/Configuration Management functions and directing enterprise-wide engineering operations
- Process Design: Proven track record of designing and implementing scalable change management processes across hardware, software, and operational teams in growing organizations
- Systems Expertise: Deep administrative expertise with tier-1 enterprise PLM and ERP systems (Siemens Teamcenter, PTC Windchill, Dassault Enovia, SAP, Oracle)
- Technical Depth: Strong understanding of hardware/software dependencies, including experience managing Software Bills of Materials (SBOM) alongside physical hardware variants
- Soft Skills: Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Professional certification in Configuration Management (CM2 / CMII Comprehensive Certification)
- Direct experience in automotive, autonomy, or commercial trucking spaces
- Familiarity with automotive, aerospace, or autonomous systems regulatory frameworks and Quality Management Systems (QMS)
