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

BAE Systems

Program Mgr I

Merrimack, NH · On-site

$130K - $221K/yr

As a Program Manager, you will support programs for the FAST Labs™ business area headquartered in Merrimack, NH where our primary customers are DARPA and other government labs. This position ...

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 ...

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 ...

Textron

Director, Advanced Materials

Wilmington, MA · On-site

Ensure program execution excellence with attention to schedule, risk management, cost performance ... such as AFRL, DARPA, MDA, ARL and ONR. Ability to develop technology roadmaps and long-term ...

Textron

Director, Advanced Materials

Wilmington, MA

Ensure program execution excellence with attention to schedule, risk management, cost performance ... such as AFRL, DARPA, MDA, ARL and ONR. Ability to develop technology roadmaps and long-term ...

STR

Lead Signal Processing Researcher

Woburn, MA · On-site

$173K - $216K/yr

... DARPA, etc.) and Intelligence Community needs. About the Role: As a Lead Signal Processing ... Active Security Clearance, with eligibility to support special access programs, for which US ...

Textron

Director, Advanced Materials

Wilmington, MA · On-site

$130 - $170/hr

Ensure program execution excellence with attention to schedule, risk management, cost performance ... Experience engaging with DoD S&T organizations such as AFRL, DARPA, MDA, ARL and ONR. * Ability to ...

STR

Principal Defense Systems Analyst

Woburn, MA · On-site

$220K - $260K/yr

... management of these assets in the service of the survivability and capability of US air and space ... Our main customer focus is on Air Force, Navy, and DARPA research programs. The Role: The SAAM ...

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

Darpa Program Manager information

See Methuen, MA salary details

$40.3K

$112.3K

$164.1K

How much do darpa program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for darpa program manager in Methuen, MA is $112,349.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,100.00 and $138,500.00 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 job categories do people searching Darpa Program Manager jobs in Methuen, MA look for?

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

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

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

Darpa Program Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Darpa Program Manager job openings in Methuen, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,349 per year, or $54 per hour.

Senior Program Manager (Defense)

Irradiant Technologies

Waltham, MA • On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Position Summary:
We are hiring an experienced Program Manager to lead execution of our defense programs. You will own day-to-day delivery across our DARPA and ARL contracts; coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams, owning the customer relationship, and making sure we ship technical milestones on time and on budget. You will also partner closely with our leadership and business development team to shape and win new defense contracts. This role is central to our growth and reports to the VP of Engineering.
What you'll be doing
  • Own program delivery. Lead planning, scheduling, risk management, and execution across multiple concurrent defense programs, ensuring cost, schedule, and technical performance targets are met.
  • Direct engineering teams. Direct cross-functional teams of optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers - setting priorities, removing blockers, and keeping the team aligned to milestones.
  • Run the customer relationship. Serve as the primary point of contact for DARPA, ARL, and other DoD customers and primes; lead program reviews, technical interchange meetings, and formal deliverable submissions.
  • Manage contracts and compliance. Oversee SOW execution, modifications, deliverables (CDRLs), and reporting in coordination with Contracts and Finance; ensure adherence to FAR/DFARS, DCAA-compliant timekeeping, and applicable export control requirements.
  • Support new business. Partner with BD and technical leads on capture strategy, teaming, color team reviews, cost narratives, and authoring the management and execution sections of proposals for SBIR/STTR, BAA, OTA, and prime-sub opportunities.
  • Build the PM function. Establish the tooling, templates, and cadence (EVM-lite, risk registers, integrated schedules) that scale as we grow the program portfolio through Series A.
What experience you'll need
  • 10+ years of project or program management experience in a defense, aerospace, or deep-tech environment, with direct ownership of government-funded R&D programs.
  • Demonstrated success delivering on DARPA, service research lab (ARL, AFRL, ONR, NRL), or equivalent DoD contracts - including running program reviews and customer-facing milestones.
  • Proven experience leading engineering teams in a hardware or photonics/optics environment; comfort operating at the intersection of technical depth and program mechanics.
  • Hands-on experience supporting business development and proposal preparation - writing management volumes, building integrated master schedules, and partnering with technical PIs.
  • Working fluency with FAR/DFARS, CDRLs, DCAA-compliant cost accounting, and export control (ITAR/EAR) in a startup or small-business setting.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • U.S. citizenship required. Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field is advantageous.

Desirable:
  • Active DoD Secret (or higher) clearance.
  • Prior experience at a Series A / early-stage defense or deep-tech startup.
  • Direct experience with nano-optics, photonics, freeform optics, metasurfaces, or EO/IR systems.
  • Experience authoring or leading winning SBIR Phase II, STRATFI/TACFI, or OTA proposals.
  • Experience with ASANA as a project management tool.
  • Experience with leading and participating in color team reviews.

Company Overview
Irradiant Technologies is pioneering the future of nano-optics and photonics with our proprietary 3D nanofabrication platform. Our technology enables the creation of optical components with geometries and refractive index profiles previously unattainable, opening doors to entirely new classes of photonic devices. By redefining what is possible in optical design and manufacturing, we are accelerating innovations in sensing, communication, imaging, display, and computation. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, we are a 30-person team of scientists and engineers delivering on active DARPA and U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) contracts. In 2025, we reached >$10M in revenue, and we are currently raising a Series A to scale our platform and program portfolio.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this role is $130,000 - $170,000+ (depending on experience), as well as equity. We are committed to equitable compensation across our company. We offer 401(k), multiple healthcare schemes and an annual reimbursement, to give our employees greater flexibility with the benefits that meet their needs. We offer four weeks of PTO, plus 10 public holidays.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Irradiant Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive team free from discrimination or harassment. We encourage candidates of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status to apply. Applicants with a disability are encouraged to contact us with any requests for accommodation.
Team Research & Engineering Locations HQ Yearly salary $130,000 - $170,000 Employment type Full-time

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