Research Program Manager

BCforward is currently seeking a highly motivated Research Program Manager for an Onsite Opportunity at Redmond, WA

Position Title: Research Program Manager

Location: Redmond, WA

Anticipated Start Date: ASAP

Please note this is the target date, and it is subject to change. BCforward will send official notice ahead of a confirmed start date.

Expected Duration: 08 Months

Job Type: Onsite

Salary Range: $70/hr.- $73/hr.

Please note that actual compensation may vary within this range due to factors such as location, experience, and job responsibilities, and does not encompass additional non-standard compensation (e.g., benefits, paid time off, per diem, etc.).

Job Summary:

Key Responsibilities

• Project Management: Document and track complex cross-functional operations; maintain open action items and follow up with owners to drive closure. Identify and escalate issues to unblock research and operational progress.
• Procurement Operations: Research suppliers, onboard suppliers, obtain quotes, track orders and follow up with vendors, maintain detailed tracking of complex BOMs or equipment purchasing in partnership with technical owners and the Lab Manager.
• Contracts: Draft, route, and track NDAs, SOWs, and related agreements with legal, researchers, and vendors.
• Budgeting: Track budgets, perform budget reconciliation, and match POs to budget lines.
• Team & Travel Operations: Support travel planning, onsite vendor visit planning, and team event planning.

Required Skills (Must-Haves)

• 5+ years in project management or research operations.
• Ability to operate and communicate across highly technical domains (hardware engineering, chemistry, physics, AI), external partners, and cross-functional partners (legal, operations, management).
• Experience with complex procurement workflows: supplier research, quoting, purchase requests, order tracking, and vendor follow-up.
• Understanding of contracts (NDAs, SOWs).
• Experience with budget tracking, reconciliation, and PO-to-budget matching.
• Highly organized, able to manage multiple parallel workstreams and follow up independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, documentation, and status reporting.

Preferred Skills (Nice-to-Haves)

• Familiarity with Meta procurement/contracting tools.
• Experience supporting hardware engineering (or related) research teams.
• Experience planning travel, vendor site visits, or team events.

Benefits:

BC forward offers all eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package including, but not limited to major medical, HSA, dental, vision, employer-provided group life, voluntary life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and 401k.

About BC forward :

Founded in 1998 on the idea that industry leaders needed a professional service, and workforce management expert, to fuel the development and execution of core business and technology strategies, BC forward is a Black-owned firm providing unique solutions supporting value capture and digital product delivery needs for organizations around the world. Headquartered in Indianapolis, IN with an Offshore Development Center in Hyderabad, India, BC forward’s 6,000 consultants support more than 225 clients globally.