Principal Technical Program Manager – Forward Deployed Engineering

Docker, Inc

. Define FDE delivery standards, engagement model, and quality bar .

Posted 10/30/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $162,505 - $254,650 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in Technical Program Management with a strong focus on defining delivery standards, metrics, and quality bars for Forward Deployed Engineering. Proven ability to communicate effectively with executives and manage dependencies across engineering teams while mentoring junior team members.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Technical Program ManagementCloud PlatformsExecutive CommunicationMetrics DefinitionFamiliarity With Docker Products

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Technical Program ManagementMetrics DefinitionQuality StandardsCapacity PlanningDependency ManagementCloud PlatformsContainersSoftware DeliveryRegulatory ComplianceField Engineering

Soft Skills

Executive CommunicationMentoringCollaborationAutonomyHigh Agency

Tools & Technologies

DockerKubernetesCloud-Native Development PlatformsModel Context Protocol (MCP)

Industry Keywords

Enterprise CustomersProfessional ServicesDeveloper ToolsInfrastructure SoftwareCompliance-Driven Customers

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudDockerKubernetes

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define FDE delivery standards, engagement model, and quality bar
Define metrics and targets for Forward Deployed Engineering
Turn engagement lessons into reusable practices and product improvements
Provide executives with status, risks, decisions needed, and ownership
Own FDE capacity management and staffing plans
Track customer and Product and Engineering commitments
Map dependencies, surface risks, negotiate dates, and hold teams accountable
Represent FDE with Product and Engineering leadership
Improve collaboration processes between Field, Product, and Engineering
Present FDE results and risks to executives and customer stakeholders
Set priorities for junior TPMs and mentor them in program management
Select tools and standards for tracking FDE work
Establish delivery standards, KPI targets, operating reviews, and capacity planning

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of technical program management experience, including 4+ years at Staff level or above
Experience supporting customer-facing engineering, professional services, or field engineering teams
Track record of delivering commitments on schedule for enterprise customers, including contractual or executive-visible deadlines
Experience defining standards, quality bars, and operating processes adopted by other teams
Experience running dependencies across many engineering teams without direct management authority
Strong technical background in cloud platforms, containers, and modern software delivery
Experience choosing metrics and setting targets with incomplete data
Executive communication skills
High agency and comfort working autonomously in a distributed, remote-first company
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
Occasional travel to customer sites and Docker team gatherings
Familiarity with the agentic AI ecosystem, including coding agents and Model Context Protocol (MCP)
Experience with regulated or compliance-driven customers
Experience at a developer tools, infrastructure software, or platform company
Familiarity with Docker products, Kubernetes, and cloud-native development platforms

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity for all full-time employees
Remote-first work from home
Flexible scheduling
Generous PTO
Designated quarterly Whaleness Days
Designated end-of-year Whaleness break
Home office support
Technology stipend equivalent to US$100 net per month
Annual stipend for conferences, courses, certifications, and continued learning
16 weeks of paid parental leave after six months of employment
Medical benefits
Retirement benefits
Paid holidays varying by country
Docker swag
Offices in Seattle and Paris for connection and collaboration