Program Manager -Specialized Microelectronics

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees tackle important national challenges across military defense, space exploration, and biomedical engineering.

The Program Manager 2 will help deliver first‑of‑a‑kind field‑ready technical solutions in support of national security missions. The role supports a large multi‑functional team under a long‑standing contract, facilitating program capture, development, planning, and execution across a broad range of national security sponsors.

• Own overall program execution, meeting cost, schedule, and technical performance targets and exceeding customer expectations.
• Establish program performance measurement baseline and develop, implement, and update resource allocation plans.
• Recruit, retain, and develop key talent across functional organizations.
• Manage and control all program phases from inception through completion, ensuring cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Act as primary customer contact, managing program teams and leading review sessions to ensure all scope and technical requirements are met.
• Identify, assess, and apply actions for project opportunities, risks, and issues related to cost, schedule, technical elements, and deliverables.
• Establish strong customer partnerships, balancing ongoing needs and expectations against plans.
• Develop new business or expand existing products/technologies with customers.
• Provide leadership oversight, fostering an open, positive, inclusive environment that maintains high morale.
• Participate in contract negotiations, reporting, deliverables, and changes.
• Deploy quality control and assurance processes, ensuring adherence to the Quality Management System and customer requirements.
• Coordinate win strategy, competitive captures, and compliant proposals to support growth of the business portfolio.
• Manage all business cycle phases per the company's financial policies and processes.
• Ensure impactful oral and written communications to internal and external stakeholders.

• Knowledge of program management tools and processes such as Earned Value Management (EVMS), Integrated Master Plan (IMP)/Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), and risk/opportunity/issue management.
• Experience working on government projects/programs with direct customer interfaces.
• Ability to work with functional organizations to achieve program execution and business goals.
• Proficiency in continuous improvement across projects, balancing priorities in a dynamic matrixed environment.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Quick learner of new technologies and applications.
• Exposure to all product life cycles.
• Strong persuasion, relationship building, and networking skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and written skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, business, or a related technical field preferred.

Ten (10) years of professional experience in project/program management in the commercial or defense industry.

• Direct experience in program/project management of R&D technology development activities and/or successful USG technology transition.
• 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.
• Experience developing risk management plans, budgets, and schedules, and delivering presentations/reviews.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams both internal and external to Draper.
• Current or in‑scope Top Secret clearance, with the ability to obtain program‑specific accesses as required.

Cambridge, Massachusetts

US base salary range: $ – $ (determined by role, level, and location).

• Work‑life balance programs, workplace flexibility, employee clubs, health and finance workshops, off‑site events, and local museum and cultural activity discounts.

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 provides access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact