Program Manager - Robotics Institute

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute is seeking a Program Manager to coordinate project management activities for moderately complex projects. The role manages project work statements, work plans, and customer contract documents; prepares reports using information from internal and external sources; identifies variances; and works with departments and external stakeholders to coordinate project efforts. The Program Manager works with the principal investigator to document and communicate milestones, track progress, and confirm completion. The role prepares reports and presentations for the NSF Program Director and project leadership, communicates project accomplishments, organizes events and team meetings, tracks spending, and helps resolve barriers to progress. The position also partners closely with a counterpart at FuturHand Robotics to coordinate across the academic and startup sides of the project. The position is part-time and fixed-term, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. OSHA Hazardous Materials Safety Training is listed. Carnegie Mellon describes benefits for eligible employees, including medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance; retirement savings with employer contributions; tuition benefits; paid time off and observed holidays; life and accidental death and disability insurance; a transit pass; family concierge support; and fitness center access.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience; comparable knowledge demonstrated through a combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
At least three years of experience in program or project coordination, preferably in a university, research, nonprofit, or technology setting.
Experience tracking milestones and budgets, preparing reports and presentations, and coordinating work across multiple organizations.
Strong writing skills, including the ability to turn technical updates into clear materials for funders and other audiences.
Comfort working across multiple institutions and with academic and startup cultures.
OSHA Hazardous Materials Safety Training is listed.
No certification is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting federally funded research projects, particularly NSF awards.
Experience with budget tracking, project reporting, or program coordination.
Strong organizational and written communication skills.
Self-directed approach and ability to identify and help resolve issues before they become blockers.
Interest in robotics, dexterous manipulation, or related research; welcome but not required.

Responsibilities

Work with the principal investigator to document and communicate clear project milestones, track progress against them, and confirm completion.
Prepare quarterly and annual reports and progress presentations for the NSF Program Director and other project leadership.
Draft progress decks and white papers for internal and external reporting.
Communicate project accomplishments through press releases and by establishing and maintaining an online project presence.
Plan and organize project events, including the annual in-person all-hands meeting.
Help maintain regular communication across the team, including student sync meetings and bi-weekly leadership meetings.
Track project spending against the monthly spending plan.
Identify blockers to progress across the collaboration and help clear them.
Coordinate across the academic and startup sides of the project with a counterpart at FuturHand Robotics.
Manage project work statements, work plans, and other customer contract documents; prepare reports from internal and external sources; identify variances; and coordinate with departments and external stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned.