Program Manager 1-Production

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

Job summary

Draper in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Program Manager 1-Production to drive planning, execution, and growth of production programs. The role oversees transitions to production, manages sustainment contracts, and leads growth opportunities within an assigned customer base.

Ideal candidates have proven large‑scale production program management experience, EVMS/IMS knowledge, and the ability to lead diverse teams in a dynamic environment. US clearance is required and travel may be necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in engineering, CS, business, or a related technical field.
• 5 years of professional experience in project/program management.
• US government security clearance required.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Own overall program execution, meeting cost, schedule, and technical targets.
• Establish and maintain program performance baselines and reviews.
• Develop and update resource allocation plans with functional teams.
• Manage all program phases from inception through completion.
• Serve as primary customer contact and lead program review sessions.
• Collaborate with supportive functions to monitor performance.
• Identify risks, opportunities, and issues affecting cost and schedule.
• Develop new business or expand products/technologies with customers.
• Provide leadership to maintain high team morale and a positive environment.
• Support contract negotiations, reporting, and deliverables.

Skills

EVMS knowledge

IMS/IMP knowledge

Government projects experience

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/CS/business/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. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com .

Job Description Summary

The Program Manager 1-Production (PM1) team member will support Draper's production program business by driving planning, execution, and growth. This team member will assist in the oversight of the critical transition to production, as well as lead production and sustainment contracts. The PM1 will be expected to assist in developing new and follow-on growth opportunities within the assigned customer base or pursue new related capture through development of winning proposals. We seek a Program Manager with proven large-scale production program management experience with Earned Value Management knowledge, and the demonstrated leadership ability to build and successfully lead large-scale production program business.

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

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance.

Job Location

• 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