Program Managers: The Heart of DARPA

Program Managers are the heart of DARPA, and we select them to be technically outstanding and entrepreneurial. DARPA Program Managers work with the best and brightest people in the world to develop and demonstrate leading-edge technologies for the Department of Defense.

Throughout DARPA’s 50 year history, the most successful Program Managers have been freewheeling innovators who are passionately committed to their programs’ goals, and fearless in pursuing them. DARPA Program Managers have said their time at the Agency was an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Some say it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

There are many reasons for these attitudes, but key is DARPA’s culture of accomplishment. DARPA is not constrained by conventional thinking, and powerful ideas always get funded.

Speed matters at DARPA. Program Managers are hired for only four to six years, and there’s no time to waste. The Agency is small and flexible, and enjoys substantial autonomy and freedom from bureaucratic impediments, which gives Program Managers the latitude they need to focus on the substance of their work rather than administering it.

From their first day at DARPA, Program Managers are given the responsibility, flexibility, and support to quickly put ideas into action and aim to accomplish great advances in science and technology.

This unique culture is what makes our Agency such a rewarding place to work, and why we encourage you to consider becoming a DARPA Program Manager.

A Day in the Life of a Program Manager

Every day, a DARPA Program Manager works to create exciting, new science and to make what have often been considered dreams, a reality.

After coming to a DARPA with an idea, a Program Manager works with multiple programs on achieving set goals; positions and advocates for the programs; charts a course for the near- and long-term accomplishments necessary to reach objectives; and manages all technical, procurement, and financial aspects of the program.

A DARPA Program Manager guides performers on projects, works with and at times, builds new technical communities, and needs leadership skills, including people skills, public speaking skills, project management experience, careful financial management skills and the ability to make timely decisions.

At the end of the day, a DARPA Program Manager gets to go home knowing that they have an opportunity to make a difference.

PROGRAM MANAGER WITH WIND TUNNEL TEST MODEL

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