AI Project/Product Manager POST NUMBER: 456129
Project Manager – AI Products
About Us
We are a small, well-funded team building an innovative AI web product designed to help people thrive in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Our mission is to create intuitive, meaningful experiences powered by cutting-edge technology.
The Role
We’re seeking a highly organized and technically fluent Project Manager to drive the execution of our AI product roadmap. This person will be the link between product vision and engineering delivery—ensuring clarity, momentum, and quality throughout the process.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, communicates effectively across teams, and is energized by the transformative potential of AI.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead the full project lifecycle—from planning and execution to delivery and retrospectives—using agile or hybrid methodologies.
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Translate product vision into actionable tasks and maintain a prioritized backlog for engineering.
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Facilitate agile ceremonies (stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives) to keep the team aligned.
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Track progress, identify risks early, and create mitigation plans.
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Serve as the central communication hub between stakeholders, leadership, and engineers.
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Partner with product and design to ensure delivery aligns with impactful, user-focused outcomes.
What We’re Looking For
Project Management Expertise
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3 years as a Project Manager in a software development environment (startup experience a plus).
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Strong knowledge of agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, etc.) and backlog/sprint management.
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Proficiency with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Notion.
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Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
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Experience in roadmap planning, resource allocation, and risk management.
Technical Acumen
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Understanding of the software development lifecycle and modern web technologies.
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Familiarity with AI concepts, especially LLMs and APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, etc.).
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Experience collaborating directly with engineering teams building APIs.
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Excellent communicator and leader who can simplify complex topics.
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Comfortable with ambiguity and able to thrive in a dynamic startup environment.
Nice to Have
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Experience launching AI-powered products or tools.
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Background collaborating with UX or product design teams.
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Passion for ethical AI and human-centered technology.
Additional Information
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Location: Preference for candidates in San Diego, but open to other areas.
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Close collaboration with the CTO.
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Startup mindset: able to contribute ideas, adapt quickly, and thrive in a competitive environment.
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Must have AI knowledge (not looking for a developer, but a visionary who can research, strategize, and ideate).
Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
EEO Notice
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .
Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
Privacy Notice
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
- California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
- Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
- Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
- Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
- Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.
Pay Transparency Notice
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual’s skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.