Senior Project Manager

AI That Moves the World. Careers That Move You Forward.
At Cerence AI, you’ll help transform advanced AI into trusted, real-world solutions that make complex technology – think vehicles, robots, smart manufacturing, and emerging intelligent devices – more natural, reliable, and useful. Building on decades of innovation and global deployment in automotive, we are extending our expertise into new products, markets, and intelligent systems. 

As part of our global team, you’ll work alongside leading innovators, researchers, engineers, and business leaders to solve meaningful challenges and turn breakthrough ideas into technology people use every day. You’ll have the opportunity to make a visible impact, help shape Cerence AI’s next chapter, and move your own career forward.

Job Description

Join us in shaping the future by connecting drivers to the digital world through cutting-edge voice recognition and AI technologies.

Overview

Lead and manage conversational AI projects from inception to completion, coordinating international teams and engaging directly with customers to deliver innovative automotive solutions.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive project planning, execution, monitoring, and closure for complex technical projects.
• Manage project scope, deliverables, milestones, and KPIs aligned with business and customer goals.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, R&D, QA, suppliers, and customer-facing groups.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison to Japanese customers.
• Develop detailed project schedules, resource allocations, and budget forecasts.
• Identify and mitigate risks, dependencies, and issues proactively.
• Facilitate clear communication and reporting among stakeholders and executives.
• Lead customer meetings, negotiate requirements, and manage changes.
• Ensure adherence to internal standards such as ASPICE and Agile/Scrum.
• Foster a positive and solution-focused team environment.
• Evaluate market needs and collaborate with global teams to align product development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of project management experience in software, automotive, or embedded systems.
• Proven success managing large-scale, multi-site technical projects.
• Deep understanding of software development lifecycles, especially Agile/Scrum.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with project management tools like Microsoft Project, Jira, or Confluence.
• Expertise in risk management, effort estimation, resource planning, and budgeting.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without formal authority.
• Highly organized with a proactive problem-solving approach.
• Fluent in English and Japanese, both spoken and written.
• Capability to perform under pressure and meet peak demands.

Preferred Skills

• PMP or equivalent certification.
• Android development experience.
• Familiarity with automotive standards such as ASPICE and cybersecurity.
• Background in software engineering, embedded systems, or cloud technologies.
• Experience managing suppliers and coordinating multiple companies.
• Hands-on experience leading Agile/Scrum ceremonies.
• Experience with automotive products, particularly car navigation systems.

Education Needed

Bachelor's or master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Management, or a related field.

Benefits & Culture

At Cerence AI, you’ll advance cutting‑edge GenAI technologies alongside a global team committed to innovation, growth, and inclusion. We offer flexible work, comprehensive wellbeing support, recognition programs, and vibrant employee communities that help you thrive. Join us and do impactful work in a culture that celebrates and invests in you.

Cerence AI (NASDAQ: CRNC) helps people and intelligent systems work together naturally and reliably. Proven at global scale in automotive, Cerence provides the trusted interaction and action layer connecting people, machines, and intelligent systems. Its AI platform enables natural interaction and dependable action across complex real-world environments where reliability, safety, security, and performance are critical. Working with customers and partners worldwide, Cerence transforms advanced AI into trusted solutions that bridge the gap between AI potential and real-world performance.

For more information, visit www.cerence.ai.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Cerence is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all federal, state and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, genetic information and other protected classifications. Cerence Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.

All prospective and current Employees need to remain vigilant when it comes to executing security policies in the workplace. This includes:

- Following workplace security protocols and training programs to familiarize with the ways to maintain a safe workplace.
- Following security procedures to report any suspicious activity.
- Having respect for corporate security procedures to allow those procedures to be effective.
- Adhering to company's compliance and regulations.
- Encouraging to follow a zero tolerance for workplace violence.

- Basic knowledge of information security and data privacy requirements (e.g., how to protect data & how to be handling this data).

- Demonstrative knowledge of information security through internal training programs.