About the job
Lila Sciences uses its autonomous science platform to tackle challenges in materials discovery, from advanced structural materials and coatings for harsh environments to clean energy catalysts and carbon capture technologies. The Materials Science experimentation team moves quickly and relies on solid operational management to keep projects on track. The Materials Technical Program Manager plays a key role in maintaining this operational discipline.
This position focuses on managing execution: overseeing project plans, coordinating dependencies across teams, and removing obstacles before they slow progress. The Technical Program Manager works closely with Materials Science domain leaders, who set the scientific direction, and takes responsibility for building the structure and processes that enable rapid, scalable experimentation. This role does not direct scientific research but ensures the environment supports high-velocity scientific work. It suits someone who enjoys program management in complex technical fields.
What you will do
- Direct daily program execution for the Materials Science experimentation team by managing project plans, tracking milestones, and keeping autonomous science programs on schedule.
- Act as the main operational point of contact between the Materials Science team and partners in Automation, ML, and Engineering. Communicate needs, align priorities, and resolve cross-functional dependencies.
- Translate scientific objectives into structured workstreams that support efficient and scalable autonomous experimentation.
- Lead program rituals such as sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives. Ensure meetings are purposeful, documentation is thorough, and follow-up actions are completed.
- Collaborate with domain leaders to identify blockers, risks, and interdependencies early, and drive resolution.
- Support delivery of commercial contracts by working with the Product & Revenue team to define, monitor, and communicate program commitments to stakeholders.
- Contribute to capacity planning and resource allocation in partnership with scientific leadership.
Requirements
- Minimum 10 years of program or project management experience in materials science, advanced manufacturing, or deep tech settings.
- Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent programs in evolving, ambiguous environments. Strong motivation to build programs from the ground up; experience in early-stage startups is a significant advantage.
Location
Cambridge, MA, USA

