ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Darpa Program Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

FieldAI

Project Manager - Federal

Irvine, CA · On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

Track program performance metrics to monitor statuses, escalate risks proactively, and report on ... DARPA * Experience managing projects related to rugged ground autonomy This position is for our ...

FieldAI

Project Manager - Federal

Irvine, CA

$130K - $200K/yr

Track program performance metrics to monitor statuses, escalate risks proactively, and report on ... DARPA * Experience managing projects related to rugged ground autonomy This position is for our ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsDarpa Program JobsDarpa Program Manager JobsDarpa Program Manager Jobs in California

Darpa Program Manager information

See California salary details

$38K

$106.1K

$154.9K

How much do darpa program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for darpa program manager in California is $106,053.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Darpa Program Manager vs DARPA Contract Officer?

AspectDarpa Program ManagerDARPA Contract Officer
CredentialsAdvanced degrees in science, engineering, or related fields; experience in project managementBachelor's or master's degree in business, finance, or related fields; contracting experience
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, project teams, innovation-focused settingsGovernment procurement offices, contract management divisions
Employer & IndustryU.S. Department of Defense, research and development sectorU.S. Department of Defense, procurement and contracting sector

While both roles operate within DARPA and the defense industry, Darpa Program Managers focus on overseeing innovative research projects, whereas DARPA Contract Officers handle procurement and contract administration. Understanding these distinctions helps candidates target their skills and career goals effectively.

What is a DARPA Program Manager?

DARPA Program Managers are specialized professionals who oversee and guide cutting-edge research and development projects funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). They are responsible for conceptualizing new programs, managing project execution, coordinating with researchers and industry partners, and ensuring that projects meet ambitious technical goals. Program Managers typically have strong scientific or engineering backgrounds and are selected for their vision, expertise, and ability to drive innovation. Their work is critical to developing breakthrough technologies that enhance national security and defense capabilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a DARPA Program Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a DARPA Program Manager, you need an advanced degree in a STEM field, extensive research experience, and a proven track record in technology innovation or project leadership. Familiarity with government contracting, proposal review systems, and technical evaluation tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, strategic vision, and the ability to collaborate across disciplines are vital soft skills for success in this role. These competencies are crucial for effectively guiding high-risk, high-reward research projects that advance national security and technological innovation.

What are some unique challenges faced by DARPA Program Managers when overseeing innovative research projects?

DARPA Program Managers often face the challenge of managing high-risk, high-reward research initiatives that may not have clear precedents or guaranteed outcomes. They must coordinate multidisciplinary teams, balance ambitious timelines, and navigate strict government compliance requirements. Additionally, PMs need to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and government while ensuring projects remain aligned with DARPA's mission to drive transformative breakthroughs. This requires agility, resilience, and strong communication skills to adapt to changing priorities and technical uncertainties.
What are popular job titles related to Darpa Program Manager jobs in California? For Darpa Program Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Darpa Program Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Darpa Program Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Darpa Program Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Darpa Program Manager job openings:
Darpa Program Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Darpa Program Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,053 per year, or $51 per hour.

Senior/Principal Lead Delivery Engineer -- Defense

Luminary

San Mateo, CA • On-site

$143K - $197K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Luminary is a Series B company headquartered in San Mateo, California, that helps engineering companies enhance their competitiveness through its Physics AI platform. The Senior/Principal Lead Delivery Engineer for Defense will manage customer outcomes for defense and government engagements, leading a team to ensure successful project execution and compliance with security requirements.
Responsibilities:
• Own end-to-end customer outcomes across new and existing defense and government accounts — prime contractors, DoD agencies (DARPA, AFRL, NRL, Navy), and national labs — from discovery through model deployment and embedding into program workflows.
• Author SOWs and RFP/RFI responses that navigate government contracting items — milestones, deliverables, IP, and export control — and own delivery accountability against them.
• Lead a value delivery team in a matrix structure: Applications Engineers, Applied AI/ML Scientists, Data and Platform Engineers, and selected product engineers. Set technical direction, sequence the work, remove blockers.
• Operate as a dual hat — project manager and product manager — running execution while shaping the product intuition for what to build next.
• Stay hands-on-keyboard where it matters. Debug a model, restructure a data pipeline, prototype a workflow integration.
• Embrace co-engineering: work side-by-side with customer engineers on use case development, including at customer sites where required.
• Partner with the GTM team on new program engagement and account growth.
• Navigate compliance: ITAR/EAR, CMMC, DFARS, and FedRAMP awareness in delivery planning and customer dialogue.
• Bring market and customer signal back to Product and Research, shaping Luminary's roadmap for defense-specific requirements including security, compliance, and certification.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 5–10 years of experience in a technical role in defense, government R&D, prime contractor engineering, or defense-adjacent enterprise software. Principal-level candidates have an extensive track record in defense.
• Multi-physics fluency across defense engineering disciplines: structural mechanics, aeroelasticity, thermal-structural analysis, propulsion, signal integrity, electromagnetics, or multi-physics simulation.
• U.S. Person required; active or obtainable Secret/TS-SCI clearance preferred.
• Familiarity with government contracting, ITAR/EAR, and defense acquisition frameworks.
• Strong hands-on engineering chops — Python, scripting, simulation tools, and AI/ML workflows.
• Working knowledge of AI/ML applied to engineering — surrogate modeling, neural operators, physics-informed ML, structural digital twins.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical teams without direct authority.
• Product instinct and customer-facing presence; comfortable with chief engineers, program managers, and government technical leadership.
• Self-starter, persistent through iteration, willing to travel 10–25% to customer sites.
Preferred:
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Prior experience at prime contractors (e.g., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing Defense, Raytheon/RTX, General Dynamics, L3Harris) or defense labs (DARPA, AFRL, NRL, Sandia, Los Alamos).
• Active security clearance.
• Experience with digital twin programs for airframe, propulsion, or fleet health management applications.
• Track record of deploying ML or simulation tooling into program environments under compliance constraints.
Company:
Luminary Travel designs bespoke high-end travel itineraries and private experiences for individual and corporate clients. Founded in 2013, the company is headquartered in New York, USA, with a team of 2-10 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.

Apply