Program Manager 1 - Electronic Systems

Draper; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Program Manager 1 to drive field-ready technical solutions under national security initiatives. You will lead cross-functional teams, shape program execution from inception through delivery, and partner with sponsors to meet contractual commitments.

The role requires strong leadership, experience with government programs, and the ability to manage risk, schedules, and resources while delivering high-impact results for national security missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, business, or related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years professional experience in project/program management in commercial or defense industry.
• Experience with government projects/programs and understanding of DoD culture and requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own overall program execution to meet cost, schedule, and technical performance targets.
• Establish project/program performance measurement baselines and manage reviews.
• Develop and update resource plans; recruit and develop key talent across functions.
• Lead contract negotiations, reporting, deliverables, and changes.
• Ensure quality control and adherence to standards; manage risk, opportunities and issues.

Skills

Program management

EVMS

IMS/IMS

Risk management

Customer liaison

Planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, CS, business, or related field

Tools

MS Office

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. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary:

The Program Manager 1 will help deliver first-of-a-kind field-ready technical solutions in support of National Security missions. The Draper team is chartered with supporting the Nation’s most challenging problems by 1) providing an iterative and agile approach to innovative and creative technical solutions within compressed timelines and 2) driving leading edge technology development efforts to support future mission needs. This role will support a large multi-functional team as part of a long-standing contract with history of immense success.

We are seeking a Program Manager (PM) responsible for facilitating and leading program capture, development, planning and execution across a broad range of national security sponsors. The Program Manager will be accountable for developing and managing new programs as well as establishing new programmatic relationships with Draper national security sponsors across the lab’s electronic systems / microelectronics portfolio. This PM will be expected to drive execution, innovation, and provide oversight that ensures Sponsor satisfaction, on-time completion of contractual deliverables. The PM will also manage, strengthen, and grow customer relationships in addition to supporting capture activities to include leading proposal efforts.

Job Description:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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.

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.
• 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

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 commercial or defense industry required

Additional Job Description:

• Direct experience in program/project management of R&D technology development activities, and/or successful USG technology transition activities.
• Program/project management experience in complex technical activities in USG/DoD programs.
• Deep understanding of DoD/IC customer culture, missions, and national security challenges.
• Relevant military experience may also be considered in accounting for professional experience.
• Direct experience in developing risk management plans, budgets, and schedules, and delivering presentations/reviews.
• Ability to interact with and provide direction to multidisciplinary technical teams both internal and external to Draper.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills, including strong presentation skills to groups of >20 attendees.
• Current / in-scope Top Secret clearance, with the ability to successfully obtain program specific accesses as required.
• Program/project management experience in complex technical activities in USG/DoD programs.
• Deep understanding of DoD/IC customer culture, missions, and national security challenges.
• Relevant military experience may also be considered in accounting for professional experience.
• Direct experience in developing risk management plans, budgets, and schedules, and delivering presentations/reviews.
• Ability to interact with and provide direction to multidisciplinary technical teams both internal and external to Draper.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills, including strong presentation skills to groups of >20 attendees.
• Current / in-scope Top Secret clearance, with the ability to successfully obtain program specific accesses as required.
• Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a US 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

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. 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. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

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 [e-mail].