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Principal Program Manager Jobs in Maryland (NOW HIRING)

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Principal Program Manager information

See Maryland salary details

$35.4K

$106.2K

$176.6K

How much do principal program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal program manager in Maryland is $106,170.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,500.00 and $121,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal program manager?

A Principal Program Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing large, complex projects or programs within an organization. They set strategic direction, coordinate cross-functional teams, and ensure that projects align with business goals. Principal Program Managers often manage budgets, timelines, and stakeholder communications, leveraging their experience to resolve issues and drive successful outcomes. Their work is critical in guiding both the execution and vision of major initiatives.

How does a principal program manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive complex projects forward?

A Principal Program Manager regularly partners with engineering, product, design, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment on project goals, timelines, and deliverables. They facilitate communication between teams, identify and mitigate roadblocks, and help set clear priorities, often acting as a bridge between technical and non-technical groups. This role also involves influencing decision-making at higher organizational levels and mentoring junior program managers to build a cohesive and effective team environment. Strong collaboration and leadership skills are essential, as Principal Program Managers are responsible for orchestrating the efforts of diverse teams to achieve strategic objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal program manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Program Manager, you need expertise in program management methodologies, strong leadership abilities, and typically a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project, Jira, Agile frameworks, and certifications such as PMP or PgMP are highly valuable. Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking are essential soft skills that set top performers apart. These competencies are crucial for delivering complex programs successfully, aligning teams, and achieving organizational goals.

What is the difference between Principal Program Manager vs Program Manager?

AspectPrincipal Program ManagerProgram Manager
CredentialsTypically requires 8+ years of experience, PMP or similar certifications often preferredUsually 3-7 years of experience, often with relevant project management certifications
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-functional leadership, high-level project oversightProject execution, team coordination, day-to-day management
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech, manufacturing, and large corporations for senior project rolesCommon across various industries for managing individual projects

The Principal Program Manager typically handles strategic, high-impact projects and leads multiple teams, requiring extensive experience and advanced certifications. In contrast, the Program Manager focuses on executing specific projects, managing teams, and ensuring project delivery. Both roles are vital but differ mainly in scope, responsibility, and seniority.

What job categories do people searching Principal Program Manager jobs in Maryland look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Program Manager jobs in Maryland are:

What cities in Maryland are hiring for Principal Program Manager jobs?

Cities in Maryland with the most Principal Program Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Principal Program Manager job openings in Maryland as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,170 per year, or $51 per hour.

Principal Program Manager, Design Operations

Autodesk

California, MD • On-site, Remote

$111K - $199K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Key responsibilities

  • Own and manage programs and initiatives that improve design team success, including establishing goals, strategy, operating model, and governance.

  • Execute program tactics, including planning, facilitating meetings, creating communications, and ensuring programs stay on track within schedule, budget, and quality parameters.

  • Design and lead design sprints to accelerate the design of user-facing products and internal programs.


Autodesk rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Job Requisition ID #

26WD99349

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Principal Design Operations Program Manager will help our Experience Design (XD) team within the Product Design and Manufacturing Solutions (PDMS) organization operate more effectively by driving and managing programs to enhance team health, improve design efficiency and process, and increase design alignment across teams and with business partners.

Our ideal candidate will be a systems thinker who is an excellent communicator and collaborator. They should be equally skilled in both managing established programs, which require strong organization, communication, and task management skills, and in identifying opportunities for improvement, applying design thinking to create successful solutions. It's a position that requires scalability, from strategic thinking to detailed tactical implementation.

A successful candidate should also be comfortable diving into complexity, navigating ambiguity and adapting to changing priorities. Sound judgement is essential - knowing what challenges to invest in and what challenges to deprioritize. Confidence and excellent relationship and networking skills are also critical as this role requires working across teams to connect dots and enhance collaboration and effectiveness.

This is a remote position open to candidates in US / Canada (PST / MST).

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Own and/or manage programs and initiatives that improve design team success (team health, design efficiency, and/or design impact). This includes:

    • Establishing the program goals, strategy, operating model, and governance, navigating ambiguity and aligning stakeholders

    • Executing program tactics, from goal and scope setting to conclusion, within defined schedule, budget, and quality parameters. Identifying issues and driving them to resolution

    • Identifying connections to other programs, teams, and partners and engaging key stakeholders to align program goals for mutual success

    • Planning and facilitating meetings, creating key communications, and keeping team and program on track with commitments

  • Design and lead design sprints to accelerate design of user-facing products and of internal programs and services

  • Coach and support design team members, in achievement of design adjacent tasks such as work prioritization, level-of-effort estimating, asset management, and knowledge sharing

  • Design and implement new ways of working that further DesignOps effectiveness and goals, using design thinking methods, and collaborating with team members and key stakeholders

  • Aid DesignOps scalability through designing, documenting, and sharing best practices and resources

  • Help champion the growth of DesignOps, working with other teams within Autodesk to align, share and support the growth of the discipline across the company

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience

  • 4+ years design program management experience within a software environment, ideally at a software company (versus agency)

  • Familiarity with user-centered design practices, UX tools and techniques, and software development methods, primarily Agile

  • Strong track record in above requirements, particularly in standing up and managing programs and completing significant initiatives successfully and in leading design sprints / workshops

  • Excellent project management skills

  • Fluency with the SDLC and working with cross-functional teams to improve it, especially the design team's role

  • Solid foundation in AI and experience helping designers improve their AI fluency. Up-to-date in latest AI features/tools for designers

  • Demonstrated strong writing, reporting, and documentation skills (examples may be required)

  • Strong verbal and presentation skills

  • Ability to travel when needed, likely 10% or less

Learn More

About Autodesk

Welcome to Autodesk! Amazing things are created every day with our software - from the greenest buildings and cleanest cars to the smartest factories and biggest hit movies. We help innovators turn their ideas into reality, transforming not only how things are made, but what can be made.

We take great pride in our culture here at Autodesk - it's at the core of everything we do. Our culture guides the way we work and treat each other, informs how we connect with customers and partners, and defines how we show up in the world.

When you're an Autodesker, you can do meaningful work that helps build a better world designed and made for all. Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us!

Salary transparency

Salary is one part of Autodesk's competitive compensation package. For U.S.-based roles, we expect a starting base salary between $111,000 and $199,650. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and geographic location, and may exceed this range. In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.Salary is one part of Autodesk's competitive compensation package. For Canada based roles, we expect a starting base salary between $109,000 and $159,500. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and geographic location, and may exceed this range. In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Autodesk, we're building a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture to give more people the chance to imagine, design, and make a better world. Autodesk is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic. We also consider for employment all qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.


Belonging

We take pride in cultivating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive. Learn more here: https://www.autodesk.com/company/global-belonging


In-Person Onboarding and Identity Verification

This role may require in-person onboarding and/or in-person ID verification.

Are you an existing contractor or consultant with Autodesk?

Please search for open jobs and apply internally (not on this external site).


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About Autodesk

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Autodesk is changing how the world is designed and made. Our technology spans architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, media, and entertainment, empowering innovators everywhere to solve challenges big and small. From greener buildings to smarter products to more mesmerizing blockbusters, Autodesk software helps our customers to design and make a better world for all. For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.

Industry

Software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Rafael, CA, US

Year founded

1982