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Darpa Program Manager Jobs in Summit, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Cleared AI Project Manager

New York, NY ยท On-site

$135K - $175K/yr

We partner with premier government R&D agencies such as DARPA, IARPA, AFRL, Army C5ISR, NOAA, ONR ... program, flexible working hours, six weeks paid time off, 401(k), health insurance, life insurance ...

Darpa Program Manager information

See Summit, NJ salary details

$40.9K

$114.2K

$166.8K

How much do darpa program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for darpa program manager in Summit, NJ is $114,187.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,500.00 and $140,800.00 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 are DARPA Program Managers?

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.

How much do DARPA program managers make?

DARPA program managers typically earn between $150,000 and $200,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. They often hold advanced degrees and have expertise in science, engineering, or technology, with some positions offering additional benefits and bonuses based on performance and project scope.

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.

Is it hard to get a job at DARPA?

Securing a position as a DARPA program manager is highly competitive due to the organization's focus on advanced research and innovation. Candidates typically need extensive experience in science, engineering, or technology, along with a strong track record of project management and security clearances. The hiring process involves rigorous evaluation, interviews, and background checks.

What does a DARPA program manager do?

A DARPA program manager oversees the development and execution of advanced research projects in emerging technologies. They manage project teams, allocate funding, set technical goals, and coordinate with government agencies and industry partners to ensure innovative solutions meet strategic objectives.

What is the average salary for DARPA?

DARPA program managers are federal employees, and their salaries typically range from approximately $130,000 to $180,000 annually, depending on experience and seniority. These roles often require advanced technical expertise, security clearances, and project management skills. Compensation may also include benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.
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Infographic showing various Darpa Program Manager job openings in Summit, NJ as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, and 27% Part Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,187 per year, or $54.9 per hour.
Cleared AI Project Manager

Cleared AI Project Manager

Kitware

New York, NY โ€ข On-site

$135K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Team Description:
Kitware's computer vision team is a leader in the creation of cutting-edge algorithms and software for automated image and video analysis. Our solutions embrace deep learning and add measurable value to government agencies, commercial organizations, and academic institutions worldwide. We understand the difficulties in extracting, interpreting, and utilizing information across images, video, metadata, and text, and we recognize the need for robust, affordable solutions. We seek to advance the fields of computer vision and deep learning through research and development and through collaborative projects that build on our open source software platforms, such as VIAME and Telesculptor.
About the Projects:
At Kitware, you will collaborate directly with customers and work with researchers to apply state-of-the-art AI approaches to dynamic, real-world problems. In this role, you will lead projects focused on national security, making a tangible difference in protecting our country on a daily basis. You may also participate in live field tests.
We partner with premier government R&D agencies such as DARPA, IARPA, AFRL, Army C5ISR, NOAA, ONR, other branches of the US military, and multiple members of the Intelligence Community on a range of efforts including prime contracts, SBIRs, and STTRs. In addition, we provide commercial services to companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Kitware employs a unique open source business model to foster extended, collaborative communities, and to provide flexible, high-quality technical solutions. If you've used CMake, ITK, or VTK, you know our work and the impact it has on the communities we help build.
In This Position You Will:
  • Own the Project Lifecycle: Provide comprehensive project management for artificial intelligence and computer vision projects tailored for U.S. government and defense customers.
  • Partner with Research Pioneers: Work hand-in-hand with a Principal Investigator (PI) to translate cutting-edge AI research into executable project roadmaps that meet and exceed customer expectations.
  • Lead Cross-Functional Teams: Guide a talented team of researchers and developers to deliver complex technical milestones on time, within scope, and on budget.
  • Drive Customer Engagement: Manage technical communication with government stakeholders, steering the preparation of high-impact status reports, technical briefings, and progress reviews.
  • Fuel Growth: Participate actively in business development, contributing technical execution strategies to proposal writing, pitch presentations, and new customer capture.

Required Qualifications:
  • Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in a STEM field (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Math, or a related technical discipline preferred).
  • Project Management Experience: 5+ years of technical project management experience, with a proven track record of managing U.S. Government contracts (DARPA, IARPA, DoD, or IC preferred).
  • Technical Literacy: A strong understanding of machine learning concepts (model selection, training, validation, testing, and deployment) and hands-on programming experience in Python or C++ to effectively interface with engineering teams.
  • Proposal Crafting: Direct experience writing and contributing to successful government technical proposals.
  • Clearance & Citizenship: Active TS or TS/SCI security clearance (or a recent TS eligible for immediate reactivation). Due to contractual requirements, only U.S. citizens will be considered for this position.
  • Location: Full-time, on-site work at Kitware's Clifton Park, NY, headquarters.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience specifically managing computer vision or advanced deep learning projects.
  • Hands-on experience training, fine-tuning, or deploying AI models.
  • Familiarity with open-source software development practices and communities.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

$135,000 - $175,000 a year
About Clifton Park, NY:
Located just north of New York's capital city, in one of the fastest growing counties in the state, Clifton Park is a vibrant suburban community. Known for its parks and recreational facilities, Clifton Park is close to Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, and Troy, and within about 3 hours of NYC, Boston, and Montreal. Kitware maintains a beautiful 42,000 sq. ft. office space in the heart of Clifton Park, with conference facilities, large gathering areas, and an expansive third-floor outdoor patio. Click HERE for a brief video about what it's like to live and work in New York's Capital Region.
Additional Information:
Our team members enjoy a small company environment, flexibility in work assignments, and high levels of independence and responsibility. Besides a great work environment, our comprehensive benefits package includes a competitive compensation plan, tuition reimbursement program, flexible working hours, six weeks paid time off, 401(k), health insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, bonus plan, and free coffee, drinks, and snacks.
For more information on our benefit offerings please visit: https://www.kitware.com/careers/.
Kitware actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, protected veteran status, uniformed service member status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.
Any unsolicited resume sent to Kitware, including to Kitware's mailing addresses, fax machines or email addresses, whether directly to Kitware employees or to Kitware's applicant tracking system, will be considered Kitware property. Kitware will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume, and will consider any candidate submitted by a recruitment agency without a fully executed contract with Kitware to have been referred free of any charges or fees.
If you need assistance with applying or interviewing for a role due to a disability or special need, please reach out directly to our HR team at [email protected] at any time during the hiring process.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.