Government R&D Project Manager

Job Description:

Government R&D Project Manager

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

3M is seeking a Government R&D Project Manager for the Corporate Research and Development Operations Center located in Maplewood. In this research and development project manager position, the successful candidate will have responsibilities of starting, executing and aligning programs to key research and development strategies. The position will work closely with 3M’s Corporate Research Laboratory (CRL), Division and Business Group Labs, and other subject matter experts to advance government and university programs and to strengthen relationships with external scientific organizations.

As a Government R&D Project Manager you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Drive cross-functional teams in the development of competitive R&D funding proposals and programs of major importance to 3M.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities and secure external funding for 3M R&D initiatives aligned to 3M’s Corporate Research Laboratory, its business groups, and division priorities.
• Work closely with 3M technical managers, R&D leaders, and subject matter experts to translate technical project concepts into suitable collateral for proposal submissions (e.g., white papers, concept papers, technical volumes, etc.)
• Lead the early-stage proposal development process in collaboration with the Government R&D Contracts team to ensure proposals are competitive and submitted in accordance with applicable requirements and deadlines.
• Build and maintain relationships with key program managers and technical leaders in U.S. Government research agencies, national laboratories, R&D institutes, universities, and other relevant scientific organizations.
• Coordinate with 3M Government Affairs on processes related to U.S. Government Congressional appropriations for R&D projects and other 3M groups and stakeholders to support effective government engagement.
• Develop and execute communication plans to ensure alignment with key 3M stakeholders to ensure project support
• Provide guidance to internal teams on government R&D funding processes, proposal preparation, opportunity evaluation, and engagement approaches.
• Monitor external technology and government research trends to support longer-term strategies for growth and the development of 3M’s relationships with government organizations and research institutions.
• Represent 3M R&D in selected external scientific, technical, government, and university engagement settings.

Your Skills and Expertise 
To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start)
• Eight (8) combined years of experience developing and commercializing new technologies and/or new products in a private, public, government or military environment
• Two (2) years of experience with project leadership and/or program management within divisions and/or corporate laboratories

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Ph.D. in science or engineering disciplines
• Eight years of R&D experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams
• Clear and broad understanding of 3M technologies with proven ability to develop and maintain productive networks within the 3M technical community
• Passion to cultivate and collaborate with external scientific organizations
• Ability to work with diverse teams to evaluate and resolve complex issues with proven technical and intellectual property acumen
• Strong technical writing, editing, communication, and proposal-development skills.
• Strong analytical skills to identify and act upon technology trends external to 3M
• Experience working in or with Government Agencies, National Labs or similar institutions

Work location:

• Work location: This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN

Travel:  May include up to 15% domestic/international

Relocation Assistance: Maybe authorized

                       

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Supporting Your Well-being 

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope. 

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Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $188,251 - $230,084, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 08/28/2026 To 09/27/2026 Or until filled

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.

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