Job Summary: 

The Ecosystem Engagement Lead (EEL) is a senior, externally facing role responsible for building, managing, and activating the defense innovation ecosystem in support of the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Hawai‘i. 

This role serves as a primary integrator between Department of War (DoW) mission partners, innovators, transition organizations (including DIU), and regional stakeholders. The EEL ensures operational needs are clearly articulated, innovation activities are mission-aligned, and high-potential capabilities are positioned for experimentation, transition, and scale in the Indo-Pacific. 

The ideal candidate operates comfortably across warfighters, acquisition professionals, senior government leaders, startups, prime contractors, and academic partners. This position requires independent judgment, strong relationship-building skills, and a results-oriented mindset. 

Essential Duties / Responsibilities:

Ecosystem & Mission-Partner Engagement 

  • Serve as a trusted engagement lead with DoW mission partners, including combatant command staff, service components, program managers, and requirements owners 

  • Translate operational challenges and priority gaps into clear innovation opportunities and engagement pathways 

  • Build and maintain sustained relationships across government, industry, academia, and venture ecosystems 

  • Represent the OnRamp Hub in senior-level meetings, working groups, and ecosystem forums 

Innovation Pathway & Transition Enablement 

  • Guide companies through mission-relevant engagement aligned with operational needs and transition pathways 

  • Support readiness for experimentation, demonstrations, exercises, and pilot activities 

  • Coordinate with transition stakeholders to ensure ecosystem activity aligns with mission demand signals  

Programmatic & Event Execution 

  • Lead or support execution of capability showcases, summits, challenges, and demonstrations 

  • Design engagements to surface decision-makers, create mission pull, and advance transition outcomes 

  • Capture insights, feedback, and lessons learned to refine engagement strategy 

Strategic Ecosystem Development 

  • Support positioning Hawai‘i as a key mission-relevant innovation node for the Indo-Pacific 

  • Identify gaps in the ecosystem and recommend partnership or capability-building actions 

  • Contribute to long-term ecosystem strategy in coordination with leadership 

Reporting & Internal Alignment 

  • Provide leadership with situational awareness on ecosystem dynamics and mission demand 

  • Contribute to briefings, reports, and executive-level updates 

  • Collaborate closely with leadership and team staff to align execution with strategy 

Job Requirements and Qualifications:

Required Experience: 

  • Demonstrated experience in defense, national security, government-adjacent innovation, or mission-driven programs 

  • Proven ability to engage credibly with senior government, military, and industry stakeholders 

  • Experience translating operational needs into actionable innovation or technology pathways 

  • Strong understanding of Department of War structure, mission and terminology 

Preferred Experience: 

  • Experience working with Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) or service innovation organizations 

  • Familiarity with DoD experimentation, acquisition, or operational planning processes 

  • Background in ecosystem development, dual-use technology, or defense innovation programs 

  • Military or Department of War civilian background

Key Competencies 

  • Strong strategic relationship-building skills 

  • Operational fluency and mission-oriented mindset 

  • High judgment, discretion, and professional credibility 

  • Ability to synthesize complex environments into actionable pathways 

  • Comfortable working independently in ambiguous, fast-moving environments 

  • Secret Clearance 

Work Environment: 

  • Hybrid / remote work environment with regular in-person engagement across Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific 

  • Periodic travel required to support mission-partner engagement, events, and demonstrations 

Benefits: 

  • Health/Dental/Vision insurance coverage      

  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability      

  • Retirement savings plan with employer match      

  • Paid time off and paid holidays    

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