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Darpa Program Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Darpa Program information

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$21.2K

$45.1K

$62.2K

How much do darpa program jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for darpa program in California is $45,123.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,000.00 and $46,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a DARPA program manager?

To thrive as a DARPA Program Manager, you need expertise in science or engineering, experience leading research projects, and often an advanced degree (e.g., PhD) in a relevant field. Familiarity with project management tools, government contracting processes, and technical proposal evaluation is typically required. Strategic vision, strong communication, and the ability to inspire and coordinate multidisciplinary teams are standout soft skills. These abilities are crucial for successfully designing, launching, and managing high-impact, innovative research programs that address complex national challenges.

What is a DARPA program?

A DARPA Program refers to a research and development initiative managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Defense. These programs are designed to create breakthrough technologies and capabilities for national security, often focusing on high-risk, high-reward innovations. DARPA Programs span a wide range of fields, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and advanced materials. Each program is typically led by a program manager and aims to transition successful technologies to military or commercial use. Participation often involves collaboration among universities, private companies, and government labs.

What are some typical challenges faced when working on a DARPA program team?

Working on a DARPA program team often involves tackling highly ambitious technical goals with tight deadlines and evolving requirements. Team members must be adaptable, as projects may pivot based on research findings or shifting priorities. Collaboration is key, as teams are typically multidisciplinary and may include external partners from academia, industry, and government. Successfully managing these dynamics while maintaining innovation and compliance with security protocols is a common challenge.

What is the difference between Darpa Program vs Research Scientist?

AspectDarpa ProgramResearch Scientist
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees in science or engineering, often with security clearancesRequires at least a master's degree, often a Ph.D., in a relevant scientific or technical field
Work EnvironmentGovernment-funded projects, often in labs or specialized facilities, with a focus on innovation and defense applicationsAcademic, industrial, or government labs; conducting experiments, data analysis, and publishing research
Employer & IndustryU.S. Department of Defense, research agencies, and contractorsUniversities, research institutions, or corporate R&D departments

While Darpa Programs focus on funding and managing innovative defense research projects, Research Scientists conduct scientific investigations across various fields, often contributing to knowledge and technology development. Both roles require strong technical credentials, but Darpa Programs are more project and funding-oriented within the defense sector, whereas Research Scientists focus on scientific discovery and experimentation.

How do you get hired at DARPA?

To get hired at DARPA, candidates typically need a strong background in science, engineering, or technology, along with relevant research experience. The application process involves submitting a resume through official government channels and often requires security clearances and interviews. Demonstrating expertise in innovative research and collaboration skills can improve chances of selection.

What are the most commonly searched types of Darpa Program jobs in California?

The most popular types of Darpa Program jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Darpa Program jobs in California?

For Darpa Program jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Darpa Program jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Darpa Program jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Darpa Program jobs?

Cities in California with the most Darpa Program job openings:

Darpa Program jobs near you
Infographic showing various Darpa Program 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 $45,123 per year, or $21.7 per hour.

Senior/Principal Lead Delivery Engineer -- Defense

Luminary

San Mateo, CA • On-site

$143K - $197K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 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.

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