A Technical Project Manager (TPM) is a professional who combines project management expertise with strong technical knowledge to lead technology-driven projects.
They are responsible for planning, executing, and delivering technical projects—often in software development, IT infrastructure, systems integration, or other engineering areas.
Key Responsibilities:
- Project Planning: Define scope, timelines, budgets, and resource needs.
- Technical Understanding: Bridge the gap between business and technical teams by understanding the technologies involved (e.g., cloud, software architecture, coding, networking).
- Team Coordination: Lead cross-functional teams including developers, engineers, QA, and stakeholders.
- Risk & Issue Management: Identify technical risks early and work with teams to mitigate them.
- Stakeholder Communication: Translate complex technical issues into business-friendly updates for executives and clients.
- Agile/Waterfall Methodologies: Use project methodologies (like Scrum, Kanban, or traditional waterfall) to guide execution.
Skills and Background:
- Strong foundation in computer science, IT, or engineering.
- Experience with tools like Jira, Azure DevOps, or Microsoft Project.
- Certifications (e.g., PMP, PMI-ACP, CSM, or technical certifications like AWS, Azure, etc.) are common.
Can you create a sample job description for a technical project manager?
Here’s a sample job description for a Technical Project Manager role, suitable for most enterprise-level organizations:
Job Title
: Technical Project Manager
Location: [City, State or Remote]
Department: IT / Technology
Reports To: Director of Project Management / CTO
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated Technical Project Manager (TPM) to lead cross-functional teams in the delivery of complex technology projects.
The TPM will be responsible for ensuring project goals are met on time, within scope, and on budget, while aligning technical solutions with business objectives.
This role requires both strong project management skills and a solid technical background to facilitate collaboration between technical teams and business stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, execute, and deliver technical projects across software development, cloud, or infrastructure domains.
- Define project scope, goals, deliverables, and success criteria in collaboration with stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, risk logs, and status reports.
- Coordinate internal resources and third parties/vendors for the flawless execution of projects.
- Act as the bridge between business users and development teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
- Facilitate Agile ceremonies (stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives) or manage traditional waterfall schedules as appropriate.
- Proactively identify and mitigate risks, resolve issues, and manage changes in project scope.
- Ensure solutions meet quality standards and comply with internal and external regulations.
- Communicate project updates clearly and regularly to stakeholders, including executive leadership.
- Support post-implementation reviews and ensure continuous improvement.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of project management experience, with at least 2 years managing technical or software projects.
- Strong understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC), systems architecture, or cloud technologies.
- Hands-on experience with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Azure DevOps, MS Project).
- Proven ability to lead Agile, Scrum, or hybrid project methodologies.
- Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- PMP, PMI-ACP, or CSM certification.
- Experience with DevOps, CI/CD, or cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.
- Background in enterprise software integration or IT infrastructure projects.
- Experience working with cross-functional and distributed teams.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance bonuses
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with employer match
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development and training support