Operations Program Manager
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. in Cambridge, MA is seeking an Operations Program Manager to drive complex hardware programs from development through delivery.
You will lead cross‑functional planning, readiness activities, and risk management, coordinating with engineers, planners, and suppliers to align people and processes with program priorities. Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, CS, or business and at least 5 years of program management experience in
Qualifications
- Knowledge of EVMS, IMP/IMS, and risk management.
- Experience with government projects/programs and customer interfaces.
- Ability to collaborate with functional teams to execute programs and business goals.
- Experience implementing continuous improvement in a matrix organization.
- Willingness to travel as needed.
- Ability to learn new technologies and applications quickly.
- Exposure to all product lifecycles.
- Strong ability to persuade and build relationships.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and networking skills.
Responsibilities
- Own overall program execution, meeting cost, schedule, and performance targets.
- Establish program performance baselines and resource plans.
- Recruit, retain, and develop key talent across the business.
- Manage all phases from inception to completion with cost/schedule/tech focus.
- Act as primary customer contact and lead program reviews.
- Coordinate with supporting functions to sustain performance.
- Identify opportunities, risks, and issues with action plans.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.
Our Operations division is hiring an Operations Program Manager to help bring complex, mission-critical technologies from development through build, integration, test, and delivery. This highly visible role sits at the intersection of programs, engineering, supply chain, and operations, providing leadership and coordination across the full lifecycle of our hardware programs. In a high-mix, low-volume environment, no two programs are exactly alike. The Operations Program Manager will lead cross-functional operations planning and execution, drive manufacturing readiness, identify and manage operational risks, and ensure the people, materials, processes, and capabilities needed to deliver are aligned with program priorities and schedules. You'll work closely with engineers, technicians, planners, supply chain partners, and program leadership to solve complex problems, navigate changing requirements, and move sophisticated hardware from design into successful execution. We're looking for someone who can see the big picture while staying connected to the details, bringing teams together, anticipating challenges, and creating a clear path forward in support of our mission-driven work.
- Own overall program execution, to include meeting cost, schedule, technical performance targets and exceeding customer expectations
- Establish project/program performance measurement baseline.
- Develop, implement and update resource allocation plans.
- Work with functional organizations to effectively recruit, retain and develop key talent for the business.
- Manage and control all phases of programs from inception through completion, ensuring cost, schedule, and technical performance.
- Act as primary customer contact for program activities, managing program teams, and leading review sessions to ensure all work scope and technical requirements are met.
- Work closely with the supporting functions to enable and monitor ongoing performance
- Identify, assess and apply appropriate actions for project opportunities, risks, and issues in terms of cost, schedule, technical elements and deliverables.
- Establish strong customer partnerships and balance ongoing needs and expectations against plans.
- Develop new business or expand existing products/technologies with customers.
- Provide leadership oversight for the team creating an open, positive, inclusive environment to maintain high team morale.
- Participate in contract negotiations, reporting, deliverables and changes.
- Deploy appropriate quality control and quality assurance processes and ensure adherence to the Quality Management System and customer requirements.
- Coordinate win strategy, competitive captures, and compliant proposals to support current and future growth of the business portfolio.
- Manage all phases of the business cycle in accordance with the company's financial policies and processes.
- Ensure impactful, effective oral and written communications to internal and external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of program management tools and processes such as Earned Value Management (EVMS), Integrated Master Plan (IMP)/Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and/or Risk/Opportunity/Issue Management.
- Experience working government projects/programs with direct customer interfaces, both internal and external.
- Able to work with functional organizations to achieve project/program execution and business goals.
- Able to implement continuous improvement across projects/programs and balance priorities in a dynamic, matrixed environment.
- Ability to travel on an as needed basis.
- Ability to quickly learn new technologies and/or new applications.
- Prior exposure to all product lifecycles.
- Ability to be persuasive and a strong relationship builder.
- Possess excellent communications, presentation and networking skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications.
Bachelor's degree (major in engineering, computer science, business, or related technical field preferred)
5 years professional experience in project/program management in commercial or defense industry required
Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
- Job Location - City: Cambridge
- Job Location - State: Massachusetts
- Job Location - Postal Code: 02139-3563
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $95,000.00 - $245,000.00
Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.
- workplace flexibility
- employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga
- health and finance workshops
- off site social events
- discounts to local museums and cultural activities
Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.
Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact hr@draper.com.
We are in the business of redefining what is possible. Join our inclusive, multidisciplinary team to engineer the groundbreaking solutions of tomorrow. Explore life at Draper with our unique culture and benefits at draper.com.
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