AI Insights
Adobe

Principal Technical Program Manager, Firefly Boards

Adobe · San Jose, California, US
full-timestaff (10-20 yrs)Posted 20d ago
Technical Program ManagementIC4ICOn-site
StackTechnical Program ManagementAgileGenAIMachine LearningAIRisk ManagementDependency ManagementExecutive CommunicationCross-functional LeadershipRoadmap PlanningOKR/Goal SettingProcess ImprovementStakeholder ManagementSystem DesignSoftware Development Methodologies

Summary

Adobe is hiring a Principal TPM to drive execution strategy for its Firefly GenAI platform, leading cross-functional program management across product, design, and engineering teams building next-generation creative AI experiences.

About the role

Adobe is seeking a Principal Technical Program Manager to help Firefly and Creativity & Productivity Experience execute strategic objectives to build new experiences using GenAI, that will transform how creative professionals get their work done. In this role, you will be pivotal in helping craft the execution strategy and leading all aspects of Technical Program Management. From handling planning activities to driving process improvements, and communicating vertically and horizontally across the company, the team will rely on you to keep everyone informed. This is a highly cross-functional role with partnerships across various other teams.

Your work will have a direct impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of Firefly. You will improve teamwork, communication, execution, and alignment with core teams and partners across the Adobe product portfolio. The ideal candidate is someone who is experienced in working in complex technical space, has experience with AI, and is passionate about solving problems. If you are looking to be part of a team that is building the future of creative tools, welcome to Firefly!
 

What you will do

  • Work with the cross-functional product, design, and engineering teams in establishing workstreams and operationalizing them for efficiency.

  • Set schedules, and actively manage issues/risks of the programs.

  • Drive the coordination and management of dependencies with cross-functional teams.

  • Ensure cross-functional alignment across all teams on strategy, plans, and execution.

  • Communicate program status, risks and mitigation plans to executives.

  • Find opportunities to enhance and simplify processes where possible

  • Improve transparency and coordination across functions with clear communication

  • Drive special projects or initiatives on behalf of the leadership team

What you need to succeed

  • 10+ years experience in Technical Program Management or related field.

  • BS or MS in Computer Science or related program.

  • Proven technical leadership and create alignment amongst subject matter experts

  • Proven leadership and experience in leading complex high-value programs Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a fast-paced environment

  • Strong influencing and interpersonal skills, including relationship building and collaboration within diverse, cross-functional teams.

  • Strong technical aptitude and in software/system design and development methodologies (including Agile)

  • An intrinsic ability to deal with ambiguity and having a flexible and adaptive approach

  • Analytical perspective to problem-solving, attention to detail organizational skills, and a focus on continuous improvement

  • Experience with a Machine Learning, AI, or Consumer company strongly preferred

  • Desire to help take the GenAI to the next level

#FireflyGenAI

About Adobe

Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.

Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours. 


Let’s Adobe together

At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.

Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.

Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email [email protected] or call +1 408-536-3015. 

AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:
Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.

At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.

 

Expected Pay Range:

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several  U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $146,300 -- $277,400 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.

 

In California, the pay range for this position is $191,600 - $277,400

At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans.  Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).

In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.

State-Specific Notices:

California:

Fair Chance Ordinances

Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.

Colorado:

Application Window Notice

If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.

Massachusetts:

Massachusetts Legal Notice

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

What you'll do

1Work with cross-functional product, design, and engineering teams to establish and operationalize workstreams
2Set schedules and actively manage issues and risks across programs
3Drive coordination and management of dependencies with cross-functional teams
4Ensure cross-functional alignment across all teams on strategy, plans, and execution
5Communicate program status, risks, and mitigation plans to executives
6Identify opportunities to enhance and simplify processes
7Improve transparency and coordination across functions with clear communication
8Drive special projects or initiatives on behalf of the leadership team

Requirements

10+ years of Technical Program Management experience driving complex, high-value programs end-to-end
Strong technical aptitude in software/system design and modern development methodologies including Agile
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional alignment across product, design, and engineering at scale
Experience operating in AI, ML, or consumer technology environments
Executive-level communication skills including status reporting, risk escalation, and mitigation planning

Nice to have

Machine Learning
AI product experience
GenAI platform knowledge
Consumer software company background

Role overview

Role family
Technical Program Management
Level
IC4 — other
Experience
10–20 years
Type
Individual Contributor
Remote policy
On-site
Visa sponsorship
Not offered

Tech stack analysis

Green flags

5 items
High-visibility role directly impacting Adobe's flagship GenAI product (Firefly), offering strong career upside in a fast-growing AI spacegrowth

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Benefits breakdown

HEALTH & WELLNESS
Medical coverage (inferred from 'comprehensive benefits programs')
Dental coverage (inferred)
Vision coverage (inferred)

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Hiring insights

JD quality
8/10
Urgency
medium
Autonomy
high
Team size
large (15+)

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Red flags

PRO3 items
Requires both 10+ years TPM experience AND a BS/MS in CS — potentially over-credentialed for a non-engineering IC role, could screen out strong practitionersrequirements

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Interview insights

PRO
Rounds
5
Duration
5 wks
Difficulty
hard
Take-home
Yes

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Career path

PRO
Next roles
Director of Technical Program ManagementVP of Engineering OperationsSenior Director of Product Operations

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About the company

Adobe is the global leader in creative and digital experience software. Its products — including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and Acrobat — are used by millions of creatives, marketers, and enterprises. Adobe also powers Experience Cloud, a suite of AI-driven marketing and analytics tools serving Fortune 100 companies.

HQSan Jose, CA, USA
Interview difficultyhard
Build vs Maintainbuild
Cross-functionalYes