Sr. Technical Project Manager – Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics (AIND) is focused on fundamental discoveries in systems neuroscience. We are interested in how the brain builds our understanding of the complex world to guide the flexible behaviors that address our biological needs. The answers will be in terms of defined neuron types and circuits interacting across the whole brain and body. We will develop next-generation methods and theories and employ a team-based approach for discovery neuroscience. Knowledge, data, models and tools will be widely shared, in part to support the development of therapies for brain disorders.

We are seeking a Technical Project Manager (TPM) to join the Scientific Computing team, where our goal is to facilitate rapid processing and sharing our AIND data and tools with neuroscientists everywhere. AIND’s style of discovery science requires nimble projects that flexibly pivot as we learn. The TPM will be a driving force across projects, improving efficiency of communication and maximizing impact with internal and external collaborators. The TPM will oversee intake and clarification of projects, working with software, hardware, and scientific teams to define requirements. The individual will organize meetings, analyze data, and develop prototypes to collect use cases, convert these to technical requirements, and work with a cross-functional team to implement application-specific solutions. Success in this role requires effective cross-functional communication with scientists and engineers and the ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment. The TPM will write code to work with scientific data stored in files, databases, and lab information management systems to proactively identify issues, troubleshoot solutions, and drive timely outcomes.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences and backgrounds. Progress in science benefits from multiple perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Essential Functions

• Lead project scoping with leadership, engineering and science stakeholders
• Plan and organize meetings with clear agenda and expected outcomes
• Identify, assess, and track issues and risks, escalating issues when appropriate
• Monitor and communicate project status to stakeholders in multiple departments
• Partner closely with program management and leadership teams to plan and implement annual goals and milestones
• Facilitate collaboration and communication between various technical specialists, including systems, optical, electrical, mechanical, software engineering and scientists to sustain focus, ensure on-time delivery, and drive project momentum
• Apply best practices to the software development cycle
• Create and manage project schedules
• Remain flexible to changing priorities and ideas while keeping project milestones on track
• Work with scientific software, data, databases, and lab management systems to monitor project progress

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) in mechanical/electrical/computer engineering or relevant scientific field, or project management; or equivalent combination of degree and experience
• 5 years’ experience in software engineering, systems engineering, hardware engineering, or technical product/program management experience
• Experience using python to work with data, databases, and APIs
• Proficient in project management tools (e.g., GitHub, JIRA, Confluence, Smartsheet, Miro) and Microsoft Office

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/electrical/computer engineering
• 8+ years of software engineering, systems engineering, hardware engineering, or technical product/program management experience
• 4+ years of experience in a software development team or equivalent combination of degree and experience
• PMP, CAPM, PMI-PBA, PgMP or other Project Management certification
• Experience with cluster-based computing (e.g. Slurm, Spark)
• Experience with cloud-based computing (e.g. Amazon S3, Lambda, EMR)
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures/reports/documents, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and business correspondence and speak effectively in front of groups of employees and external populations.
• Experience identifying problems, evaluating short- to long-term trade-offs, and coordinating solutions across a variety of stakeholders. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instruction
• Experience working with large, noisy biological data
• Project management experience in a scientific research environment setting
• Demonstrated experience to lead execution across highly ambiguous, complex projects and programs, with experience to make technical and product tradeoffs balancing business needs and technical constraints
• Experience with software development best practices (e.g., git, testing, review, documentation)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working in a shared code repository

Physical Demands

• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.

Travel

• Occasional travel to national or international conferences

Additional Comments

• **Please note, this opportunity offers relocation assistance**
• **Please note, this opportunity offers work visa sponsorship**

Annualized Salary Range

• $144,450 - $180,550*

* Final salary depends on required education for the role, experience, and level of skills relevant to the role, along with work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outline in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.