Program Manager

Summary Michigan Technological University is seeking a Program Manager for our Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) department. Candidates may opt to work in either Ann Arbor, MI or Dayton, OH. The role operates at the intersection of science, engineering, mission application, and is responsible for translating sponsor-driven research into structured execution and delivered outcomes in a DoD‑focused R&D environment. Responsibilities and Essential Duties Owning end‑to‑end planning and execution of R&D programs aligned with DoD sponsor objectives. Translating sponsor requirements into executable plans, milestones, and deliverables. Coordinating cross‑functional teams across science, engineering, product, and operations. Managing schedules, dependencies, resources, budgets, and program risks across multiple efforts. Communicating program status, risks, trade‑offs, and decisions to leadership and sponsors. Supporting proposal development and capture activities for new research opportunities. Developing and maintaining program roadmaps, integrated master schedules, and dependency maps aligned with sponsor objectives and contractual requirements. Translating ambiguous or exploratory research efforts into structured execution plans, including milestones, deliverables, decision points, and readiness criteria. Managing program risks, issues, and trade‑offs, and driving resolution through structured processes and data‑informed decision‑making. Leading program reviews, technical interchange meetings, and milestone assessments aligned with sponsor expectations. Coordinating execution across multidisciplinary teams including scientists, engineers, analysts, and external collaborators. Preparing clear, concise sponsor‑facing communications, including status reports, technical summaries, risk assessments, and decision briefs. Coordinating with external stakeholders including government program managers, research labs, academia, and industry partners. Supporting program execution activities such as resource planning, labor forecasting, and delivery of required program artifacts (e.g., reports, briefings, deliverables). Committing to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engaging in University continuous improvement initiatives. Applying safety‑related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work. Required Education, Certifications, and Licensures Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field. Required Experience 5+ years of experience in technical program management, program management, or related roles in R&D or engineering environments. Experience managing complex, cross‑functional technical programs involving engineering and/or scientific teams. Demonstrated ability to manage scope, schedule, dependencies, resources, risks, and stakeholder communication. Desirable Education and/or Experience Experience working with DoD sponsors such as AFRL, DARPA, ONR, Army Research Lab, or Space Force organizations. Experience supporting proposal development and capture efforts. Experience coordinating with external partners including government labs, academia, and industry collaborators. Experience with program execution in regulated or government contracting environments (e.g., working with statements of work, deliverables, reporting requirements). Advanced degree in a technical field or engineering management discipline. Required Knowledge, Skills, and/Abilities Ability to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance, which requires United States citizenship. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing leadership and sponsor‑facing materials. Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast‑paced R&D environments with evolving requirements. Sufficient technical fluency to engage credibly with engineering and research teams. Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/Abilities Active U.S. Department of Defense security clearance at Secret‑level or higher. Work Environment and Physical Demands The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment Employee Safety Overview Anti‑Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training Annual Data Security Training Annual Title IX Training Background Check: Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed. Additional Employment Details Full‑Time Equivalent (FTE): 100% FLSA Status: Exempt Appointment Term: 12 months Shift: Negotiable based on experience Legal and EEO Statement Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Michigan Technological University is committed to maintaining a drug‑free campus environment in compliance with the federal Drug‑Free Schools and Communities Act. #J-18808-Ljbffr Michigan Technological University