Project Manager - HPC Cloud Migration

Zifo•Boston, MA

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead a strategic proof-of-concept (POC) and planning effort to migrate on‑premise high performance computing (HPC) environments to a standardized AWS-based cloud platform. This role will partner closely with the assigned Data, Technology and Engineering (DTE) technical lead to jointly drive delivery, ensuring alignment between technical execution and program governance. The initial focus is execution of a 2026 pilot and planning effort that will inform full-scale implementation.

Requirements

8+ years managing complex, cross-functional technology programs
Strong experience with structured delivery (stage gates, governance, risk management)
Experience with high performance computing (HPC) environments
Experience with AWS cloud platforms and migration programs
Ability to engage effectively with engineering teams on compute environments and workloads, data migration strategies, and cloud architecture concepts
Comfortable operating at the intersection of research computing and enterprise technology
Ability to perform high-level requirement gathering with research and HPC stakeholders during early planning phases
Experience capturing and structuring business and technical requirements to inform solution design and migration planning
Proven experience working in a paired delivery model with technical leads or architects
Strong communication and presentation skills
Ability to drive alignment across technical and business stakeholders
Experience operating in ambiguous, planning-phase or POC-driven initiatives

Nice To Haves

Experience in infrastructure modernization or on-prem to cloud transitions strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Lead planning and execution of a cloud HPC migration initiative, retiring BOS and SAN on‑premise environments and transitioning compute and data to AWS
Execute a CryoEM pilot to validate the cloud HPC migration approach under end-of-life constraints
Establish a confirmed, executable migration plan including workflow mapping and data migration strategy.
Deliver a shovel-ready proposal for executive endorsement, funding, and resourcing aligned to research AI strategy
Prepare program for mobilization through formal stage gate governance (feasibility, scope, readiness validation)
Own end-to-end planning and delivery of the 2026 pilot and planning phases
Structure and manage an integrated project plan across pilot, planning, and proposal stages
Ensure alignment to stage-gate checkpoints and readiness criteria
Operate in a co-lead model with the DTE technical lead, combining project management rigor with technical leadership
Ensure tight alignment between technical solution design and architecture (DTE lead) and program execution, governance, and delivery (Project Manager)
Coordinate day-to-day execution jointly with the DTE lead, ensuring clear ownership across technical and business teams, alignment on scope, timelines, and dependencies, and rapid escalation and resolution of blockers
Act as a key bridge between engineering teams, research stakeholders, and leadership
Collaborate cross teams to define workflow mapping, data migration and organization strategy, and target cloud architecture and standardized environment
Translate technical concepts into clear, actionable plans and executive-ready messaging
Partner with research, security, and engineering teams to define non-negotiable enterprise requirements, research-specific exceptions, and security remediation boundaries
Drive cross-functional alignment and facilitate decision-making forums
Provide clear, leadership-level status reporting (progress, risks, decisions required)
Identify and manage risks related to end-of-life infrastructure timelines, data migration complexity, and security and compliance requirements
Establish mitigation strategies and escalation paths
Develop executive-facing materials to support investment decisions, resource planning, and alignment to enterprise AI strategy
Ensure clarity on business value, trade-offs, and readiness