Program Manager 1

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance programs

Employee clubs

Health and finance workshops

Off-site social events

Discounts to local museums

Job summary

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. is seeking a Program Manager 1 in Cambridge, MA. This role involves managing the Air Force Strategic Systems portfolio, ensuring program execution, and working in a multidisciplinary team to tackle national challenges. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of project management experience, preferably in the defense sector, and an active Secret Clearance.

This full-time position offers a salary range of $95,000.00 to $245,000.00 and various employee benefits, including work-life balance programs and workshops.

Qualifications

• 5 years of professional experience in project/program management in commercial or defense industry.
• Strong preference for candidates with transition to production environment experience.
• Active Secret Clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Own overall program execution and ensure customer expectations are exceeded.
• Establish performance measurement baseline and develop resource allocation plans.
• Act as the primary customer contact for program activities.

Skills

Program management tools and processes

Government project experience

Continuous improvement implementation

Communication and networking skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Overview

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.

Job Description Summary

The Program Manager 1 is responsible for facilitating and leading program planning and execution across the Air Force Strategic Systems portfolio. The Program Manager will be accountable for managing new programs as well as establishing new programmatic relationships with Draper Air Force Strategic and National Lab customers. Program management candidates will be responsible for ideating and developing coherent and cohesive solutions through critical thinking, while managing the timely completion of specific, defined multi‑discipline programs. Applicants will be expected to be proficient in earned value, risk, and change management.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Own overall program execution, including 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 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 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.

Skills and Abilities

• 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.
• Ability to work with functional organizations to achieve project/program execution and business goals.
• Ability 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.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (major in engineering, computer science, business, or related technical field preferred).

Experience

• 5 years professional experience in project/program management in the commercial or defense industry required.
• Strong preference for a candidate that has experience in a transition to a production environment.

Security Clearance

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. Active Secret Clearance is required.

Location

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139‑3563

Salary Range

The U.S. base salary range for this full‑time position is $95,000.00 – $245,000.00.

Benefits

• Work‑life balance programs, including workplace flexibility.
• Employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga.
• Health and finance workshops.
• Off‑site social events.
• Discounts to local museums and cultural activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. 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 [e-mail].