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Program Manager Contract Jobs in Watertown, MA (NOW HIRING)

Busek Co Inc

Program Manager

Natick, MA · On-site

$110K - $180K/yr

Summary: As a Program Manager, you will oversee the planning, development, and execution of ... align with contracts. * Develop and maintain relationships with customers and stakeholders ...

Harvard University

Program Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$56/hr

The Program Manager will provide key planning, implementation, and decision-making support for the ... Arrange and coordinate event logistics such as, but not limited to, negotiating vendor contracts ...

Harvard University

Program Manager

Boston, MA

The Program Manager will provide key planning, implementation, and decision-making support for the ... Arrange and coordinate event logistics such as, but not limited to, negotiating vendor contracts ...

Busek

Program Manager

Natick, MA · On-site

$110K - $180K/yr

Summary: As a Program Manager, you will oversee the planning, development, and execution of ... align with contracts. * Develop and maintain relationships with customers and stakeholders ...

Northeastern University

Program Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

INSI seeks a Program Manager to support a major new federally funded cooperative agreement in the ... One-year contract, renewable contingent on availability of funding and positive performance reviews.

NorthEastern

Program Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

INSI seeks a Program Manager to support a major new federally funded cooperative agreement in the ... One-year contract, renewable contingent on availability of funding and positive performance reviews.

Harvard University

Program Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$56/hr

The Program Manager (PM) reports to the Assistant Director of Master's Program Management within ... Coordinates faculty and instructional staff payments and processes contracts, honoraria, guest ...

Harvard University

Program Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

The Program Manager (PM) reports to the Assistant Director of Master's Program Management within ... Coordinates faculty and instructional staff payments and processes contracts, honoraria, guest ...

HyperLight

Program Manager

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

... contract manufacturing and global supply chain activities and deliverables * Collaborate closely ... program management in the semiconductor, electro-optical components and fiber-optic transceiver ...

Astrion

Senior Program Manager

Hanscom Air Force Base, MA · On-site

$140K - $150K/yr

Guide contract execution, assessing program health to meet cost, schedule, and performance goals ... Support risk management planning, including mitigation strategies. * Develop statutory and ...

Intrepid

SEIC Program Manager

Lincoln, MA · On-site

S. Air Force for all activities under this contract and hold overall responsibility for cost ... The Program Manager will own program-wide reporting, risk and opportunity management, and the ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsProgram Contract JobsProgram Manager Contract JobsProgram Manager Contract Jobs in Watertown, MA

Program Manager Contract information

See Watertown, MA salary details

$41.9K

$116.9K

$170.8K

How much do program manager contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for program manager contract in Watertown, MA is $116,873.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,500.00 and $144,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a program manager contract?

A Program Manager Contract job is a temporary or fixed-term role where a professional oversees multiple related projects, ensuring alignment with business goals. These managers coordinate teams, manage budgets, mitigate risks, and drive project execution within a specified timeframe. Unlike full-time roles, contract positions typically focus on delivering specific outcomes within a limited duration. Program Manager Contractors may work for a company directly or through a consulting firm. Their expertise is critical in implementing strategic initiatives efficiently.

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

To thrive as a Program Manager Contract, you need strong project management abilities, expertise in contract negotiation, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience in business or a related field. Familiarity with project management software (such as MS Project or Asana), contract management systems, and certifications like PMP or Contract Management Certification are often preferred. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills are essential soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure smooth program delivery, compliance with contractual obligations, and effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.

What are the typical challenges faced by program manager contracts and how can they be overcome?

Program Manager Contracts often face the challenge of balancing multiple projects while ensuring all contractual obligations are met on time and within budget. Navigating complex stakeholder requirements and adapting to changing project scopes are also common hurdles. Successful Program Managers overcome these by maintaining clear communication, prioritizing tasks effectively, and leveraging project management tools to track progress. Building strong relationships with clients, vendors, and internal teams is crucial to navigate and resolve challenges as they arise. Being proactive and detail-oriented can greatly contribute to success in this dynamic role.

What cities near Watertown, MA are hiring for Program Manager Contract jobs?

Cities near Watertown, MA with the most Program Manager Contract job openings:

Program Manager Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Manager Contract job openings in Watertown, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,873 per year, or $56.2 per hour.

Senior Program Manager (Defense)

Irradiant Technologies

Waltham, MA • On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 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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