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Principal Program Manager Jobs in Cambridge, MA (NOW HIRING)

Applied Research Solutions is seeking a Principal Acquisitions Program Manager to work at Hanscom AFB in Bedford, MA. Why Work with us? Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is respected as a world-class ...

New

Principal Technical Program Manager - AI

Waltham, MA · On-site

$139K - $180K/yr

Reporting to the VP of AI for Motorola Solutions, the Principal Technical Program Manager will be a critical, high-impact leader who thrives on turning highly ambiguous concepts into enterprise-scale ...

As a Principal Program Master Scheduler, you will work cross-functionally with Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain and Operations to develop, manage and report on Engineering Development ...

The PM reports to the study Multiple Principal Investigators (PIs), The encumbent will manage a ... Develop and manage program communication plans. * Provide supervision in aspects of the data ...

The PM reports to the study Multiple Principal Investigators (PIs), The encumbent will manage a ... Develop and manage program communication plans. * Provide supervision in aspects of the data ...

The Program Manager will be responsible for co-managing these 5 -educational initiatives ... Task includes: 1) working with the Principal Investigators to refine curricula; 2) support with ...

The Program Manager will be responsible for co-managing these 5 -educational initiatives ... Task includes: 1) working with the Principal Investigators to refine curricula; 2) support with ...

Showing results 41-60

Principal Program Manager information

See Cambridge, MA salary details

$39.9K

$119.6K

$198.9K

How much do principal program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal program manager in Cambridge, MA is $119,563.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,900.00 and $136,600.00 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 Cambridge, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Program Manager jobs in Cambridge, MA are:

What cities near Cambridge, MA are hiring for Principal Program Manager jobs?

Cities near Cambridge, MA with the most Principal Program Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Principal Program Manager job openings in Cambridge, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,563 per year, or $57.5 per hour.

Principal Program Manager Integration & Separation Office

Waters Corporation

Milford, MA

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Support stakeholders and owners in detailed planning, execution, and delivery of initiatives

  • Own the portfolio of initiatives, ensuring management processes and tools are in place and initiatives are driven efficiently within scope and budget

  • Implement metrics to measure success, identify risks, develop mitigation plans, and support resource allocation and budget management


Job description

The Transformation organization at Waters plays a critical enterprise-wide role in shaping the company’s future by leading the integration of acquired businesses and driving the evolution of core enterprise capabilities. Transformation partners closely with divisions and functions to plan, govern, and execute integration activities that ensure seamless business continuity and value realization following acquisitions. In parallel, the organization leads strategic transformation initiatives across key enterprise capabilities—including strategy deployment, integrated business planning, commercial excellence, innovation, service excellence, business process management, and process and data governance—to improve performance, accelerate value capture, and enable scalable, sustainable growth. 


  • Support Stakeholders and Owners in detailed planning, execution, and delivery of the initiative
  • Work closely with teams across the organization (e.g., IT, sales, marketing, engineering) to ensure collaboration and effective execution of project deliverables
  • Own the portfolio of initiatives, ensuring that appropriate management processes and tools are in place, and that each initiative is driven efficiently and optimally within scope and budget
  • Serve as a point of contact for key collaborators. Provide regular updates, resolve issues, and lead expectations throughout the lifecycle of the initiatives
  • Implement metrics to measure overall success, as well as individual initiative, performance and ensure continuous improvement
  • Identify potential risks and roadblocks, develop mitigation plans, and proactively resolve issues to keep initiatives on track
  • Support resource allocation across initiatives, ensuring that teams have the vital tools and support to achieve the initiative goals
  • Lead budgets, track expenditures, and ensure cost-effective execution of all initiatives

  • 12+ years dynamic experience in program and project management with a consistent record of successfully completing programs across people, process, data, and/or technology in sophisticated, global organizations
  • Large corporation integration experience required
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence collaborators and drive alignment across teams with varied strengths
  • Ability to analyze sophisticated situations, identify challenges, and propose actionable solutions
  • Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities, with experience leading multiple initiatives simultaneously
  • Deep knowledge of project management tools (e.g., Jira)
  • Ability to collect and analyze data to make informed decisions and measure success
  • Process discovery, design, and implementation experience required
  • Proven understanding of Lean concepts and tools a plus
  • PMP or equivalent certification required
  • Prosci certifications a plus
  • Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s Degree a plus

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT)  is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.  

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.


integration, program management, project management, organizational skills