Senior Program Manager, USG Programs

Perimeter; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Perimeter, a global biosecurity infrastructure company, seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead one or more USG biosecurity and biosurveillance programs funded by DoD/DoW, ARPA-H, CDC or similar agencies. You will own cost, schedule, and technical execution and strengthen relations with government offices.

The ideal candidate is execution-oriented with strong program management skills, able to operate independently, build cross‑functional teams, and drive contracts from pursuit through closeout

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years leading multi‑disciplinary programs including federal contracts.
• Advanced degree with 3+ years leading multi‑disciplinary teams is acceptable.
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government security clearance.
• Experience with CPIF, CPFF, FFP, IDIQ contracts.
• Strong written and oral communication, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle USG contract programs from pursuit through closeout.
• Direct cross‑functional PM teams to ensure cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Serve as the primary client interface with program offices and contracting officers.
• Coordinate with Lab Operations, R&D, Bioinformatics, Contracts/Legal, and Finance.
• Own program financials, including budget tracking and EAC reporting.
• Ensure risk mitigation and compliance with federal regulations.
• Build relationships with government customers and maintain trust.
• Travel up to 15% as needed.

Skills

Program management

Contract management

Budget tracking

Risk management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Perimeter is the global biosecurity infrastructure company, purpose-built to protect operational continuity and way of life in an era of accelerating biological threats.

Our end-to-end biosecurity infrastructure platform spans detection, characterization, forecasting, and response — powered by frontier AI and deployed globally across airports, hospitals, wastewater systems, and critical infrastructure. Perimeter enables rapid response —delivering scalable, reliable, software-integrated infrastructure, and converting biointelligence into real-time decisive action for governments and enterprises worldwide.

Additional information about Perimeter's mission, capabilities, and platform is available at https://www.perimeter.bio/

About the Role

Perimeter's USG Programs team is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead one or more USG biosecurity and biosurveillance programs funded by DoW, ARPA-H, CDC or other government entity. In this role, you will be accountable for cost, schedule, and technical execution across your assigned program(s), ensuring delivery excellence and strengthening customer relationships with government program offices and contracting officers.

The ideal candidate is highly execution-oriented, with exceptional program management skills, the ability to operate independently, and the executive presence to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives. They will foster a culture of accountability, drive follow‑on business opportunities, and play a key role in scaling Perimeter's U.S. Government contracting capabilities as the company evolves from a startup into a mature federal contractor.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for full lifecycle program management, from pursuit and capture through execution, delivery, and program closeout, for assigned USG contracts and task orders.
• Responsible for leading the cross‑functional Program Management team ensuring effective contract management and performance across cost, schedule, and technical requirements.
• Serve as the primary customer interface with program offices (ex. DoW, DoS or other USG entity) and contracting officers, addressing needs, resolving concerns, and driving contract modifications or scope changes.
• Coordinate with internal Lab Operations, R&D, Bioinformatics, Contracts/Legal, and Finance teams, as well as any subcontractors or teaming partners, to ensure timely execution across the program.
• Own program financials, including budget tracking, EAC reporting, and (where applicable) P&L management for assigned program(s).
• Ensure effective risk mitigation, compliance with contract terms and applicable federal acquisition regulations, and alignment with broader company strategic goals.
• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience, or an advanced degree with 3 years of experience leading multi‑disciplinary teams, including direct experience with U.S. federal government contracts (DoD/DoW, DoS, or similar agencies).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government‑issued security clearance per business requirements.
• Demonstrated experience managing full lifecycle programs from capture through closeout.
• Ability to establish and sustain positive relationships with government customers and program offices.
• Proficiency with program management tools and processes and risk/opportunity management.
• Experience managing multiple federal contract types (e.g., CPIF, CPFF, FFP, IDIQ).
• Strong communication, presentation, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort operating in ambiguity — able to build trust with government counterparts before a formal contract vehicle exists.
• Ability to travel up to 15%, depending on program(s) assigned.

Preferred Capabilities & Experience

• Experience in biosecurity, public health, global health security, or life sciences government contracting.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with DoW and DoS customers specifically.
• Program Management certification (e.g., PMP, DAU).
• Experience in a scaling company environment (startup-to-scale-up transition), particularly in biotech or life sciences.
• Degree in engineering, public health, life sciences, management, or a related field.
• Experience developing risk and opportunity mitigation plans and executing recovery strategies
• Experience applying earned Value Management (EVM) or similar cost & schedule control methodologies and tools