Innovation Project Manager

mHUB seeks an Innovation Program Manager for our HardTech Development Services (HDS) team. HDS links manufacturers and corporations with mHUB’s elite engineering and design experts to accelerate product innovation and commercialization. In this role, you will own the delivery of client engagements end-to-end, scoping work, building plans, coordinating cross-functional engineering and design teams, and driving projects to on-time, on-scope, on-budget completion. You will also help build and continuously improve the operational backbone that allows HDS to scale: the processes, tools, templates, and resourcing practices that keep a growing portfolio of technical programs running smoothly. The ideal candidate is a hands-on program manager who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment and is equally comfortable running the day-to-day of complex hardware development projects and stepping back to strengthen the systems behind them. This position reports to the VP of Innovation Services. Key Responsibilities: Program & Project Delivery Own the full delivery lifecycle for HDS client engagements from kickoff and scoping through execution, milestones, and close-out. Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets, and deliverables across multiple concurrent engagements. Coordinate cross-functional engineering, design, and prototyping teams to keep work aligned, unblocked, and on track. Manage scope, timelines, risks, and change requests, escalating issues early and proposing practical solutions. Track project health and report status, progress, and risks to internal leadership and clients. Client Engagement Serve as a primary delivery contact for clients during active engagements, ensuring clear communication and well-managed expectations. Translate client goals and technical requirements into actionable plans for the delivery team. Lead project meetings, milestone reviews, and progress updates that connect mHUB’s work to client outcomes. Partner with account management to surface expansion opportunities and support smooth handoffs across the engagement lifecycle. Operations & Continuous Improvement Build, document, and refine delivery processes, templates, and tools that improve consistency and efficiency across HDS programs. Support resource planning and allocation across engagements in coordination with engineering and design leads. Establish and monitor delivery metrics to identify bottlenecks, capacity constraints, and opportunities to scale. Capture lessons learned and feed improvements back into HDS service delivery and operating practices. Qualifications: Required Experience 5–8 years of program or project management experience, ideally delivering hardware, physical product, or engineering-services programs. Proven track record managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects to on-time, on-scope, on-budget completion. Experience working directly with engineering, design, or product development teams and translating technical information to non technical stakeholders. Strong organizational, planning, and risk-management skills across multiple concurrent projects. Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to manage both technical teams and client relationships. Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-changing environments and building structure where little exists. Technical Fluency Familiarity with hardware product development, prototyping, or manufacturing workflows. Ability to translate technical detail into clear plans, status, and business value. Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools. Preferred Qualifications Background in hardtech, manufacturing, robotics, electronics, firmware, automation, or industrial systems. Experience in professional services, consulting, or R&D delivery models. Knowledge of innovation ecosystems. PMP, Agile/Scrum, or comparable project management certification. Comfortability taking ownership of projects and decision making with little oversight What Success Looks Like In the first 12–18 months, you will: Deliver HDS client engagements on time, on scope, and on budget. Strengthen the processes, templates, and tools that make delivery repeatable and scalable. Improve visibility into project health, resourcing, and delivery metrics across the portfolio. Earn the trust of clients and internal teams as a dependable delivery partner. Help HDS take on more concurrent engagements without sacrificing quality. Why mHUB: Tackle cutting-edge hardtech projects that bring real products to life. Partner with elite engineers, designers, and innovators. Empower founders and corporations to solve pressing real-world challenges. Contribute to a mission-driven organization advancing manufacturing and hardtech innovation. Salary and Duration: Salary will be commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package. About Us mHUB is the nation’s leading independent innovation center dedicated to accelerating hardtech development—where physical products are designed, built, and launched to solve real-world challenges in energy, health, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. At the intersection of innovation and industry, mHUB incubates high-potential startups to commercialize critical technologies faster and with intention. Based in Chicago, mHUB operates an 80,000+ square-foot prototyping and micro-factory alongside deep technical and entrepreneurial mentorship, a robust investor and pilot network, and U.S.-based suppliers and manufacturing expertise. Since launching in 2017, mHUB has supported over 1,200 entrepreneurs and 500 startups that have generated more than $1.96B in revenue, launched over 1,700 products, created nearly 7,000 jobs, and raised over $2B in capital. mHUB plays a critical role in strengthening U.S. competitiveness and building the physical future from the heart of the Midwest. #J-18808-Ljbffr mHUB