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Program Manager Defense Jobs in Franklin, MA (NOW HIRING)

RISE Robotics

Technical Program Manager

Somerville, MA · On-site

$140K - $182K/yr

Engineering Program Manager / Technical Program Manager RISE Robotics is hiring an Engineering ... Support government, defense, or regulated customer programs. * Ability to translate customer ...

RISE Robotics

Technical Program Manager

Somerville, MA · On-site

$140K - $182K/yr

Engineering Program Manager / Technical Program Manager RISE Robotics is hiring an Engineering ... Support government, defense, or regulated customer programs. * Ability to translate customer ...

RISE Robotics

Technical Program Manager

Somerville, MA · On-site

$140K - $182K/yr

Engineering Program Manager / Technical Program Manager RISE Robotics is hiring an Engineering ... Support government, defense, or regulated customer programs. * Ability to translate customer ...

Marathon TS

Be Seen First

Operations Program Manager

Franklin, MA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

... defense supply chains, or hardware systems). · Demonstrated experience leading the transition to production readiness, focusing on process optimization, operational excellence, continuous ...

New

Urgent

NorthEastern

Research Program Manager

Boston, MA

JOBSUMMARY The Defense Industrial Base Institute seeks an experienced Research Program Managerto ... The Research Program Manager,a DoD sponsored research position, is a Boston or Washington DC based ...

Merlin Labs

Technical Program Manager, Autonomy

Boston, MA

$140K - $181K/yr

MRLN) is a publicly traded aerospace and defense company building a non-human pilot to deliver full ... As Technical Program Manager, Autonomy at Merlin Labs, you'll drive the development and delivery of ...

Merlin Labs

Technical Program Manager, Autonomy

Boston, MA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

MRLN) is a publicly traded aerospace and defense company building a non-human pilot to deliver full ... As Technical Program Manager, Autonomy at Merlin Labs, you'll drive the development and delivery of ...

STR

Lead System Program Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$147K - $200K/yr

Experience managing projects for the Department of Defense * Skills and experience in the use of tools to aid in program management * Strong presentation and organization skills with ability to:

Merlin Labs

Senior Program Manager, Autonomy

Boston, MA · On-site

$165K - $220K/yr

MRLN) is a publicly traded aerospace and defense company building a non-human pilot to deliver full ... As a Senior Program Manager at Merlin, you'll lead a portfolio of high-impact autonomy programs ...

Merlin Labs

Senior Program Manager, Autonomy

Boston, MA

$165K - $220K/yr

MRLN) is a publicly traded aerospace and defense company building a non-human pilot to deliver full ... As a Senior Program Manager at Merlin, you'll lead a portfolio of high-impact autonomy programs ...

Revolution Space

Technical Program Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$140K - $185K/yr

Develop, maintain, and manage Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) for highly technical programs ... Experience supporting aerospace, defense, government, R&D, or highly technical engineering programs.

Panera Bread

Manager, Liability Program

Newton, MA · On-site

Manager, Liability Program The Liability Program Manager serves as a subject matter expert ... Oversee the selection, engagement, and performance of defense counsel in coordination with the TPA ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsProgram Defense JobsProgram Manager Defense JobsProgram Manager Defense Jobs in Franklin, MA

Program Manager Defense information

See Franklin, MA salary details

$38.9K

$108.6K

$158.7K

How much do program manager defense jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for program manager defense in Franklin, MA is $108,618.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $133,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a program manager defense?

A Program Manager in Defense is responsible for overseeing and coordinating large-scale defense projects, which may involve military equipment, technology systems, or defense-related services. They ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet all specified requirements and regulations. This role often includes working with cross-functional teams, managing contracts, and liaising with government agencies or military branches. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential, as is a thorough understanding of defense industry standards and protocols.

What is the difference between Program Manager Defense vs Project Manager Defense?

AspectProgram Manager DefenseProject Manager Defense
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple related projects, strategic planning, and overall program successManages individual projects, ensuring specific objectives are met within scope, time, and budget
CertificationsTypically PMP, PgMP, or similar certificationsUsually PMP or CAPM certifications
Work EnvironmentOften in defense contractors, government agencies, or military settingsSimilar environments, focusing on specific project deliverables
FocusStrategic coordination and long-term goalsTactical execution of individual projects

While both roles require project management skills and certifications like PMP, the Program Manager Defense oversees multiple projects and aligns them with strategic objectives, whereas the Project Manager Defense focuses on managing specific projects to meet immediate goals.

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

To thrive as a Program Manager in Defense, you need a strong background in project management, defense acquisition processes, and often a relevant degree such as engineering or business, with security clearance frequently required. Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), and DoD-specific platforms, as well as certifications like PMP or DAWIA, are typically expected. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills set top performers apart by enabling them to manage diverse teams and stakeholders. These skills and qualifications ensure effective project execution, compliance with defense regulations, and successful delivery of critical programs within scope, budget, and timeline.

What are some common challenges a program manager defense faces when coordinating multidisciplinary teams?

Program Managers in the defense industry often encounter challenges such as balancing strict security requirements with timely project delivery, managing cross-functional teams that include engineers, analysts, and government stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with evolving defense regulations. Navigating complex stakeholder expectations and adapting to shifting project scopes are also frequent hurdles. Successful Program Managers proactively foster communication across teams and maintain detailed project documentation to address these challenges.

What job categories do people searching Program Manager Defense jobs in Franklin, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Manager Defense jobs in Franklin, MA are:

What cities near Franklin, MA are hiring for Program Manager Defense jobs?

Cities near Franklin, MA with the most Program Manager Defense job openings:

Program Manager Defense jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Manager Defense job openings in Franklin, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,618 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Technical Program Manager

RISE Robotics

Somerville, MA • On-site

$140K - $182K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Engineering Program Manager / Technical Program Manager
RISE Robotics is hiring an Engineering Program Manager to support disciplined execution of software-enabled hardware programs within a cross-functional team. This role focuses on planning, coordination, and delivery across mechanical, electrical, and software engineering, in close partnership with product, operations, and leadership.
This is not a people-management role and not a manufacturing program role. It is an execution and coordination role focused on translating customer and business requirements into clear engineering plans, and ensuring commitments are reasonable, visible, and upheld across the organization.
You will work as part of a broader team, supporting delivery by creating clarity around priorities, dependencies, and risks so teams can execute effectively.
This role will be on-site in Somerville, MA 4-days per week.
What you'll do
  • Support execution of engineering programs for commercial and government customers, from requirements definition through validation and delivery
  • Translate customer and business requirements into structured engineering program plans with clear scope, milestones, dependencies, and ownership
  • Coordinate work across internal engineering teams and external contract resources to meet program objectives
  • Track progress against engineering commitments and surface risks, tradeoffs, and constraints early
  • Ensure commitments are realistic, clearly understood, and upheld as conditions evolve
  • Provide clear visibility into program status, risks, and tradeoffs to support organizational prioritization and decision-making
  • Support validation and test activities to ensure test plans, execution, and results demonstrate compliance with design and customer requirements
  • Partner with operations to align engineering execution with hardware delivery
  • Maintain accurate, up-to-date program artifacts and records in Jira and related tools
  • Identify recurring execution issues and work with stakeholders to improve planning and coordination practices

What success looks like
  • Customer requirements are translated into executable engineering plans with clear ownership and sequencing
  • Engineering commitments are realistic, clearly communicated, and consistently met
  • Commitments are verified through appropriate test and validation demonstrating compliance with design requirements
  • Changes to plans or priorities are surfaced early with clear context and options
  • Leadership has the visibility needed to make prioritization and resourcing decisions
  • Engineering time is spent executing, not resolving coordination gaps or ambiguity
  • Program data is accurate, current, and trusted across the organization

Requirements
  • 3+ years of experience as an Engineering Program Manager, Technical Program Manager, or similar execution-focused role.
  • Hardware industry experience with a focus in electrical and software engineering
  • Prior experience at a B2B startup
  • Bachelors Degree within science, technology, engineering and/or math fields; Electrical and computer engineering are preferred.
  • Experience using Jira or equivalent tools to manage programs, dependencies, and execution tracking
  • Demonstrated experience managing programs that involve both internal teams and external contract resources.
  • Hands-on familiarity with engineering validation and test processes, including requirements traceability, test planning, execution, and interpretation of results.
  • Support government, defense, or regulated customer programs.
  • Ability to translate customer requirements into clear, executable engineering plans
  • Clear written/verbal communication skills with technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Demonstrated reliability in preparation, follow-through, and stakeholder communication
  • Comfort operating in an environment where priorities may shift, while accountability remains high

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