Principal Technical Program Manager

About the teamThe Data, Engineering, Science & Analytics (DESA) organization is Zillow’s central hub for data engineering, data science, business intelligence, and analytics tooling. DESA sits within Zillow’s Technology organization and partners across the company to shape critical product, marketing, operations, and business decisions using trusted data, scalable systems, and AI‑enabled insights. You will join a highly skilled, collaborative group of data practitioners and TPMs who are transforming how Zillow uses data and AI to help more people find their home.

About the role

The Principal Technical Program Manager (TPM), DESA is a senior, single‑threaded owner for Zillow’s most complex, cross‑organizational data and AI programs. This role combines strategic partnership, clear communication, and broad organizational influence with deep technical program leadership.

As a Principal TPM for DESA, you will drive impact at scale by:

• Serving as a trusted advisor and execution partner to DESA leadership, translating strategy into clear programs, operating mechanisms, and measurable outcomes.

• Owning cross‑organizational technical programs that span analytics, data engineering, data platform, experimentation, and AI enablement, and ensuring they land with clarity, accountability, and durable impact.

• Acting as a critical liaison between DESA and partner organizations (such as Data Platform, Product Engineering, Tech Enablement, and central platform teams) to enable bi‑directional communication, aligned priorities, and on‑time delivery of shared goals.

This is a hands‑on, bar‑raising TPM role. You are expected to dive into technical details when needed, design and iterate on operating mechanisms, and earn trust at all levels of the organization.

You Will Get To

• Serve as a trusted advisor and execution partner to DESA leadership, translating strategy into clear programs, operating mechanisms, and measurable outcomes.

• Lead complex, cross‑organizational data and AI programs that span analytics, data engineering, data platforms, experimentation, and AI enablement.

• Design, implement, and continuously improve lightweight, scalable operating mechanisms that keep teams aligned and moving toward measurable outcomes.

• Act as a critical liaison between DESA and partner organizations (for example, Data Platform, Product Engineering, Tech Enablement, and central platform teams) to drive aligned priorities and on‑time delivery of shared goals.

• Dive into technical details where needed to clarify scope, identify risks and dependencies, and enable high‑quality, timely decision‑making.

• Establish clear milestones, owners, and success metrics for ambiguous, cross‑functional initiatives, and drive accountability across teams and leaders.

• Communicate program goals, status, and tradeoffs to both senior executives and technical audiences through clear, concise written and verbal updates.

• Build strong, long‑term relationships across engineering, product, analytics, and platform teams so people seek you out to bring clarity, remove blockers, and move work forward.

This role has been categorized as a Remote position. “Remote” employees do not have a permanent corporate office workplace and, instead, work from a physical location of their choice, which must be identified to the Company. U.S. employees may live in any of the 50 United States, with limited exceptions.

In California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington state, and Washington DC the standard base pay range for this role is $178,300.00 - $284,700.00 annually. This base pay range is specific to these locations and may not be applicable to other locations. In Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont the standard base pay range for this role is $169,300.00 - $270,500.00 annually. The base pay range is specific to these locations and may not be applicable to other locations.

In addition to a competitive base salary this position is also eligible for equity awards based on factors such as experience, performance and location. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance and location. Employees in this role will not be paid below the salary threshold for exempt employees in the state where they reside.

Who you are

• You have deep experience in Technical Program Management, Product Management, or data‑focused Engineering roles, with significant time spent leading large, complex, cross‑organizational programs in a technology company.

• You have operated at Principal‑level scope, driving programs that cut across multiple senior leaders, organizations, and roadmaps.

• You are deeply familiar with at least two of the following domains: data platforms and data engineering (for example, Databricks or modern data stacks), analytics/data science/experimentation, or AI/ML and LLM‑enabled products or tooling.

• You are a strategic and systems thinker who connects organization strategy to concrete programs and operating mechanisms, and can clearly explain the “why,” “what,” and “how.”

• You are a bar‑raising program leader who has led ambiguous, cross‑functional efforts from zero‑to‑one and through scale‑up, setting clear milestones, owners, and success metrics.

• You are an exceptional communicator who can write and present clearly to senior executives and technical audiences, and can appropriately own communications on behalf of senior leaders.

• You design lightweight, scalable processes that solve real problems without over‑burdening teams, and you iterate based on feedback and outcomes.

• You build strong, long‑term relationships with leaders and individual contributors across engineering, product, analytics, and platform teams, and people seek you out to bring clarity and unblock decisions.

• Here at Zillow, we value the experience and perspective of candidates with non‑traditional backgrounds. We encourage you to apply if you have transferable skills or related experiences.

Get to know us

At Zillow, we’re reimagining how people move—through the real estate market and through their careers. As the most-visited real estate platform in the U.S., we help customers navigate buying, selling, financing and renting with greater ease and confidence. Whether you're working in tech, sales, operations, or design, you’ll be part of a company that's reshaping an industry and helping more people make home a reality.

Zillow is honored to be recognized among the best workplaces in the country. Zillow was named one of FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2025, and included on the PEOPLE Companies That Care® 2025 list, reflecting our commitment to creating an innovative, inclusive, and engaging culture where employees are empowered to grow.

No matter where you sit in the organization, your work will help drive innovation, support our customers, and move the industry—and your career—forward, together.

Zillow Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative environment with the best employees. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact your recruiter directly.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable state and local law.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.