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Darpa Program Manager Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Skillcloud HCM

Chief RF Engineer, Space Radar

Boston, MA · On-site

$180 - $200/hr

Run programs to cost and schedule, own technical risk, and manage subcontractors, vendors, and ... example SDA, SSC, DARPA, AFRL, NRO, or national labs. * Spaceborne or new space experience ...

Socket.dev

Chief Of Staff - BBN Technologies

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$132.40 - $251.60/hr

DARPA, ONR, AFRL, IARPA, OUSD, etc.) * Experience engaging with senior business leaders and ... Program Management / Technical Project Management / Principal Investigator / Finance / Subcontracts ...

Skillcloud HCM

Chief RF Engineer, Space Radar

Boston, MA · On-site

$180K - $200K/yr

Run programs to cost and schedule, own technical risk, and manage subcontractors, vendors, and ... example SDA, SSC, DARPA, AFRL, NRO, or national labs. * Spaceborne or new space experience ...

Ayo Semiconductor

Systems Lead

Boston, MA · On-site

... resource management, and risk management * Track project milestones, technical risks, and ... Experience working on DARPA or other government-funded R&D programs * Background in integrated ...

Ayo Semiconductor

Integrated Systems Lead

Boston, MA · On-site

... resource management, and risk management * Track project milestones, technical risks, and ... Experience working on DARPA or other government-funded R&D programs * Background in integrated ...

STR

Lead Autonomy Software Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$174K - $225K/yr

... management of these assets to assure the mission success of US air and space assets. SAAM also ... Our main customer focus is on Air Force, Navy, and DARPA research programs. The Role: As an ...

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All JobsDarpa Program JobsDarpa Program Manager JobsDarpa Program Manager Jobs in Boston, MA

Darpa Program Manager information

See Boston, MA salary details

$41.8K

$116.7K

$170.6K

How much do darpa program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for darpa program manager in Boston, MA is $116,745.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,400.00 and $143,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 are popular job titles related to Darpa Program Manager jobs in Boston, MA?

For Darpa Program Manager jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Darpa Program Manager jobs in Boston, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Darpa Program Manager jobs in Boston, MA are:

What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Darpa Program Manager jobs?

Cities near Boston, MA with the most Darpa Program Manager job openings:

Darpa Program Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Darpa Program Manager job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,745 per year, or $56.1 per hour.

Chief RF Engineer, Space Radar

Skillcloud HCM

Boston, MA • On-site

$180 - $200/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Chief RF Engineer, Space Radar

Mithril Technologies

Greater Boston, MA

Mithril Technologies is building next generation space radar. We are a small, high caliber team working on funded programs, real hardware rather than concept studies, alongside MIT and Draper Laboratory. We move at new space speed, with rapid prototyping, tight timelines from design to orbit, and decisions that land quickly.

The Role: You will own the technical direction and performance of Mithril's radar and RF systems and be accountable for delivering programs on cost and schedule. The mix is roughly two thirds principal architect and one third technical program lead, combining deep individual technical authority with hands on program leadership.

This is a Chief Engineer role, not a CTO role. We are not asking you to run corporate strategy, board and investor relations, or company wide P&L. We are asking you to be the defining technical voice on the radar and to make the nonstandard calls.


What You'll Do:
  • Own radar and RF system architecture from end to end, including link and radar budgets, waveform and phased array decisions, and overall RF performance
  • Run programs to cost and schedule, own technical risk, and manage subcontractors, vendors, and teams across mechanical, electrical, and software.
  • Engage upstream of the spec, shaping requirements and working directly with customers.
  • Grow and mentor the RF and hardware engineering team and set standards and review practices.
What We’re Looking For:
  • Principal or architect level RF depth in radar systems, demonstrably real rather than slideware. The domain is open: ground based, airborne, naval, or spaceborne radar all qualify.
  • You have architected a radar or RF hardware program from end to end (for example SAR, AESA and phased arrays, active or passive radar, or EW payloads).
  • Proven technical program management: you have led a program or IPT to cost and schedule, owning technical risk and subcontractors.
  • Instinctive command of RF fundamentals, with link and radar equations as everyday scoping tools, and strong system level trade off thinking under cost, schedule, and program constraints.
  • A track record of shipping fielded hardware, not just study phase work.

Strong candidates can teach the answer to a technically adjacent listener in plain language, can cleanly separate what they personally owned from what the team owned, and can name the specific constraint that made a hard program hard.

Requirements:
  • U.S. person: U.S. citizen or green card holder. Required for all candidates (ITAR).
  • Clearable: able to obtain a U.S. security clearance.
Nice to Have:
  • Active U.S. security clearance (Secret, TS, or TS/SCI), a significant accelerant but not required.
  • Experience with government and defense customers and program environments, for example SDA, SSC, DARPA, AFRL, NRO, or national labs.
  • Spaceborne or new space experience, including smallsat power, mass, and schedule constraints. A plus, and explicitly not required.
Compensation & Benefits:
  • Base salary: $180,000 to $200,000
  • Equity: Meaningful equity stake, a core part of the offer
  • Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Equal Opportunity Employer.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, familial status, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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