Principal Program Manager, R&D

PTC•Washington, DC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The R&D PMO team is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Principal Program / Project Manager to lead the execution of complex, high-impact programs and product releases. This role operates at the intersection of product, engineering and strategy, driving predictable delivery while continuously improving how we plan, build, and ship software. As a Principal Program Manager, you will own end-to-end program execution for strategic initiatives, manage multi-product releases, and partner closely with Product and R&D leadership to define and optimize development processes, metrics, dashboards, and tooling. You will lead cross-functional teams across product segments, navigate ambiguity, and proactively solve problems to ensure delivery alignment with business and technology strategy. This role is ideal for someone who combines strong technical aptitude, exceptional organizational and communication skills, a passion for solving complex problems and improving systems and processes. This role is a key force multiplier for the Products and R&D organization; you will help shape how we deliver, not just what we deliver - by driving execution excellence, process improvement, and enabling teams to collaborate.

Requirements

Strong understanding of Agile software development methodologies and modern product delivery practices
Proven ability to manage multiple complex programs in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment
Self-starter with the ability to influence, motivate, and drive outcomes without direct authority
Exceptional problem-solving skills; able to identify root causes and implement practical solutions
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Confident and effective presenter, including with senior leadership and large groups
Demonstrated ability to drive execution, not just coordinate activities
Strong business acumen and comfort navigating uncertainty and competing priorities
Ability to build trusted relationships and facilitate collaboration across functions and levels
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and disciplined in execution
Data-savvy; able to interpret metrics and use insights to inform decisions and optimization
Passion for continuous improvement and driving positive change at both team and organizational levels
Curiosity and willingness to learn new methodologies; open to coaching and mentoring for senior-level impact
Bachelor’s degree required
Ability to commute to Seaport Boston office
~8 years of experience in product development organizations. Minimum 5 years in a Program or Project management role.
Strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand and contribute into technical discussions and decision making
Demonstrated success influencing stakeholders without formal authority
Excellent planning and organizational skills
Deep experience with Agile software development practices

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
Experience with SaaS product development teams would be a plus
Experience with tools such as JIRA, Confluence, Smartsheet preferred
PMP or PMI training is a plus

Responsibilities

Lead planning, execution, and delivery of complex R&D programs and multi-product releases, aligned with strategic objectives
Drive change management activities, ensuring timely decision-making and clear communication
Own release planning, scheduling, and coordination. Drive efficient, scalable release governance
Identify, manage, and mitigate risks, issues, and dependencies across teams and initiatives
Coordinate delivery across multiple cross-functional and geographically distributed teams
Proactively identify opportunities to accelerate progress and improve outcomes
Engage senior leaders effectively to maintain alignment, momentum, and accountability
Analyze existing development and release processes to identify gaps and improvement opportunities
Design, pilot, and rollout new processes, standards, KPIs, and best practices to improve efficiency and predictability
Drive adoption of organizational processes while minimizing unnecessary complexity or duplication
Collaborate with other Program and Release Managers to evolve PMO standards, tooling, and operating models