Program Manager - Japan (Bilingual Japanese/English)

Team: Program Management

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Commitment: Full-time

Workplace Type: hybrid

Responsibilities

Independently manage ongoing programs with PlusAI’s Japanese customers, acting as the primary point of contact for program-level matters.

Serve as the connective tissue between Japan-based partner teams and PlusAI’s cross-functional engineering, product, and operations organizations in the U.S., translating context and priorities accurately in both directions.

Gather and integrate project performance and progress information from engineering, quality, and partner teams.

Prepare and deliver detailed status reports — accomplishments, upcoming deliverables, project metrics, and risk analysis — for both PlusAI leadership and partner stakeholders, in English and Japanese as needed.

Prepare and maintain detailed project plans, deliverable timelines, KPIs, and milestones across Japan programs.

Identify dependencies and risks early, and drive mitigation plans across internal teams and partner organizations.

Travel to Japan (~25%) to represent PlusAI in person at key partner reviews, program milestones, and testing activities.

Required Skills

Fluent in Japanese and English, with the ability to work professionally in both languages — written, verbal, and in real-time discussion.

Solid program management experience, with a proven track record of building and executing complex, cross-functional programs.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the judgment to adapt style and approach for different audiences and cultural contexts.

Strong organizational and planning skills; a natural leader in providing structure, prioritization, and decisiveness.

Willingness and ability to travel to Japan approximately 25% of the time.

Preferred Skills

Prior professional experience living or working in Japan, with first-hand familiarity with Japanese business norms and communication style.

Experience working with Japanese automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers.

Experience in the automotive, autonomous vehicle, or trucking industry.