Principal Project Manager

PerkinElmer; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Covaris, a PerkinElmer company, seeks a Principal Project Manager in Woburn, MA to lead complex hardware/software development programs for life sciences. You will drive planning, risk management, and cross‑functional collaboration to meet milestones and quality standards.

You will manage budgets, provide status reports, and lead phase/gate reviews while coordinating with Product Management, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Procurement. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or scientific field; 7+ years post‑college experience or Master’s with 5+ years.
• Minimum 5 years as a technical Project Manager leading hardware/software (instrument) development.
• Familiarity with ISO 13485 and medical device development & certification.
• PMBOK familiarity; PMP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex hardware and software development projects in life sciences.
• Drive phase & gate reviews; ensure gate‑ready documentation.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams across product management, R&D, manufacturing, quality, procurement, marketing, and sales.
• Identify risks, develop mitigations, maintain risk register, and advise stakeholders.
• Monitor budgets and provide financial updates; propose cost optimizations.
• Communicate status in regular meetings and reports.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Budget management

Stakeholder communication

Agile methodologies

Six Sigma knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or scientific field

Master's degree in engineering or scientific field

Tools

PMBOK knowledge

PMP certification (preferred)

Job description

Principal Project Manager – Covaris, Woburn, MA

Covaris, a PerkinElmer company, specializes in adaptive focused acoustics for DNA sequencing and drug delivery. The Principal Project Manager will lead complex hardware and software development projects within the life sciences industry, ensuring successful delivery of innovative solutions.

Essential Responsibilities

• Project Planning and Execution: Develop comprehensive project plans, maintain an integrated view of NPI deliverables and Design History File readiness, and execute projects in line with quality standards and deliverables.
• Phase and Gate Reviews (PR/GR): Set agendas, drive approvals, confirm gate‑ready documentation, and manage interdependencies across concurrent NPI programs.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Coordinate with Product Management, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, Sales, and other teams to align project goals and foster a collaborative environment.
• Risk Management: Identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, maintain a risk register, and provide clear recommendations to stakeholders.
• Budget Management: Monitor project budgets, report financial updates, and recommend cost‑optimization initiatives.
• Stakeholder Communication: Keep stakeholders informed through regular status meetings and comprehensive weekly/monthly reports.

Non‑Essential Responsibilities

• Perform any other job‑related duties required by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a scientific field with 7+ years of post‑college experience, or a Master’s degree with 5+ years of experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience as a technical Project Manager leading integrated hardware/software (preferably instrument) development projects and managing cross‑functional teams.
• Familiarity with ISO 13485 and medical device development & certification required.
• PMBOK familiarity; PMP certification preferred.
• Strong understanding of biochemical and mechanical engineering.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams, manage stakeholder expectations, and resolve conflicts.
• Skilled in developing work breakdown structures, project schedules, budgets, and resource planning.
• Travel up to 10% domestically.
• Knowledge of Scrum, Kanban, and structured problem‑solving methodologies (A3, Fishbone, Six Step, etc.).
• Understanding of PERT charts, Monte Carlo Simulation, FMEA, DOE, DFM; Six Sigma certification is a plus.

Compensation

The annual compensation range for this full‑time position is $150,000 to $175,000.

Reasonable Accommodation

Covaris is committed to the spirit and the letter of the Americans with Disabilities Act and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals.

Equal Employment Opportunity

PerkinElmer is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.