Senior Project Manager for R&D

  • Tokyo
  • Partial Remote
  • Full-time
  • January 31, 2025
Conditions
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Apply from Japan Only
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No relocation to Japan
(No visa sponsorship from overseas)
Requirements
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Language Requirements
Japanese: Fluent
English: Business Level
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Minimum Experience
Senior or above

Our Mission:

Driving technology always feels old. Not by a little bit. We believe vehicles can be a thousand times smarter, safer, and more connected to the world around us, and our mission is to see it happen. In 2019, we joined forces with Honda as their first startup acquisition, and now we’re expanding our vision into building the future of electric vehicles (BEV) for millions of people around the world.

 

Why Drivemode

Join Drivemode for an exciting startup environment and a vibrant culture that combines impactful work, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits. By becoming a part of our team, you'll contribute to a crucial mission that revolutionizes the way people engage with vehicles, addressing both business needs and the world's environmental challenges. This presents an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and drive Honda's success in the EV market.

 

About the Role

As a Senior Project Manager, you will lead research and development projects, delivering software platforms ready for production as well as development tools in collaboration with Honda's motorcycle and automotive divisions. This role is pivotal in Honda's transformation into a software-driven company within the automotive industry.

 

What you will be doing

  • Leadership and Accountability
    • Collaborate closely with Honda's LPLs (Large Product Leads) to deliver competitive software, hardware, and technical consulting solutions.
    • Lead the development and research of:
    • Driving and riding safety solutions
    • Map rendering for embedded systems
    • Meter UI toolkits
    • Competitor E&E software and hardware architecture analysis
    • Facilitate meetings with internal and external stakeholders to drive project alignment and progress.

  • Schedule Management
    • Develop and maintain a comprehensive master schedule that aligns with Honda's product timelines and key milestones.
    • Define clear outcomes for each milestone and ensure the underlying rationale is well understood.

  • Risk Management
    • Identify, communicate, and manage project risks and issues.
    • Develop and implement strategies to mitigate risks and address challenges throughout the project lifecycle.

 

What We’re Looking For

  • 5+ years of project management experience in software and/or hardware development.
  • Native-level Japanese proficiency.
  • Business-level English proficiency.
  • Solid understanding of software development processes and environments.
  • Flexibility and a willingness to learn new technologies relevant to the projects.
  • Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Gantt chart tools).
  • Familiarity with project operations, including contract management and meeting facilitation.
  • Proactive, detail-oriented, and highly collaborative.
  • Experience working in a multicultural environment with diverse stakeholders.

 

Nice to Have

  • Knowledge of:
  • ECU software and hardware.
  • Vehicle networks (CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet).
  • Hardware simulation and emulation for software development.
  • Telecommunication technology.
  • AD/ADAS systems.
  • Embedded systems development.
  • Positioning and navigation technologies.
  • Experience managing projects in the automotive industry.
  • Experience working with hardware and software suppliers.

 

EEOC Statement

Drivemode is proud of a very diverse team with employees coming from 5 continents as of today. Diversity in our workplace has played an important part in our success; we recognize each employee’s unique background, knowledge, experiences, ideas, and viewpoints which are all critical in developing a product that has the greatest impacts on drivers all over the world.
Drivemode provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity,  disability, or any other characteristics that make you unique. 

Smarter, Safer, Connected driving in any vehicle.

We were founded in 2014 by entrepreneurs from Zipcar and Tesla Motors and acquired by Honda in 2019. In 2020, we released Honda RoadSync with Honda motorcycle team. In 2023, our CEO Yo Koga was named as Global UX Officer and Drivemode is set to expand further to transform Honda and win in the growing Electric Vehicle market with our expertise in software and user experience.

Our Current Work

Honda motorcycles
We are building a modern software platform for Honda's new electric motorcycles. The platform, including mobile app and infotainment system, will be deployed in many countries. Not only working with Honda's motorcycle engineers as one team, we also do our own in-house hardware prototyping to enable us to learn and move quickly. The goal is to provide seamless motorcycle rider experiences with deeply integrated software and hardware.

Honda/Acura vehicles
We are working on a vehicle companion app & platform for Honda's next generation electric vehicles. The app will be a critical part of connected service offering for any future Honda & Acura vehicles globally. We are working closely with Honda's industry-leading hardware and vehicle experts to design the software and hardware as one experience for users.

Our Future Direction: This is just the beginning for us; we expect to expand our scope into other software driven areas for Automotive while continuing to grow and build on more capabilities

Working at Drivemode
We’re a diverse group of Silicon Valley and Tokyo entrepreneurs who want to make driving better. Our approach focuses on speed, learning, flexibility, and data-driven decision-making. We aren’t just “coders” or “designers;” we are problem solvers who understand that why you do something is just as important as what you do. We love challenges: the bigger, the better.

Our organizational structure is flat and everyone has an opportunity to share ideas, regardless of manager or job title. Openness, transparency, and communication are always priorities. We trust our employees’ abilities to make decisions in the best interest of Drivemode and give them the freedom to do what it takes to bring out the best in themselves and others. We provide support, mentorship, and growth across all positions to help employees identify and reach career and developmental goals.

View Drivemode's company page

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Senior Project Manager for R&D at Drivemode
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