Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country’s most challenging technical problems.
 
 All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.
 

Riverside Research is seeking to add a tech-savvy leader to our team of subject matter experts, technical project/program managers, and scientists supporting DIU’s Autonomous Systems Portfolio. The individual must have experience serving in technical, programmatic, and operational roles focused on the design, development, and fielding autonomous systems and the associated manufacturing related to autonomous systems for national security applications. Prior business, programmatic, or technical leadership in commercial technology sector is desired. Experience as a systems or solutions architect is strongly desired.  Experience in the manufacturing of autonomous systems and autonomous systems components is also strongly desired. The position will collaborate with teams of commercial and military program leads, scientists, engineers, and other stakeholders, and is based in Mountain View, CA (alternate locations:  Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Arlington, VA, and Dayton, OH).

• Perform technical project management support for multiple prototype projects, from early curation, market research, and technology evaluation through DIU’s acquisition process, and post-award prototype, test, and delivery to customer environments
• Support product development of a SaaS or B2B marketplace connecting manufacturers, vendors, and users – including solutions architecture, front, and back-end development
• Collaborate with and lead government partners, commercial teams, and other DIU support staff through the prototype development lifecycle 
• Develop program goals, milestones and plans for implementation collaboratively with DoD entities, customers, and program offices
• Manage cost, schedule, performance, and budget execution for projects under their purview.
• Perform independent reviews, detailed technical assessments, performance analysis of commercial solutions and their specific applications as part of commercial market research and evaluation of partner proposals during competitive acquisitions
• Review prototype proposals, technical and programmatic reports, acquisition documents, and related project documentation, keeping CRM and project databases up to date
• Participate in milestone reviews, ground testing, flight tests, and simulations, as well as reviews of post-test reports and performance data
• Build relationships with critical segments of commercial and non-traditional vendor hot-spots, to include tech entrepreneurs, startups, venture capitalists, and academics
• Prepare white papers, technical papers, briefing and meeting materials 
• Respond to official requests for information and other tasks from government partners and stakeholders 
• Participate in key intra- and inter-agency meetings 
• Other duties as assigned 

Required Qualifications/Experience:  

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience with at least 3 years of experience in systems architecture, engineering, autonomous systems, manufacturing, product and project management. 
• 8 years of experience with a Master’s Degree in a technical/engineering field (e.g. mathematics, physics, or computer science) or business (e.g. MBA). OR 12 years of experience in project/program management or solutions architecture supporting research and development programs and national security missions with a Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience as a systems or solutions architect with experience in IT infrastructure and back-end management and implementation
• Experience in other relevant technology domains;  autonomous systems, robotics, AI/ML
• Project and program management experience - ability to deliver multi-discipline, multi-stakeholder projects that demonstrably improve operational capabilities (measured by increase in accuracy, decrease in cost, decrease in time)
• Ability to communicate to a broad range of audiences (CEOs, investors, commercial vendors, media, etc.) to gain acceptance of vision, guidance and policy
• Excellent communication skills.  Must have a substantial history of writing policy papers, research reports and/or other means of advocating to a broad set of constituencies
• Experience supporting autonomous or AI/ML technology development and/or SaaS systems as a solutions architect
• Prior experience supporting and leading government and commercial vendor collaborative teams to rapidly iterate and deliver project tasks and milestones
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Desired Qualifications/Experience: 

• Product management experience in industries such as B2B SaaS
• Experience with the manufacturing industry – specifically autonomous systems or autonomy-related industries that allows candidate to understand the challenges of the commercial manufacturing industry
• Experience with DoD or USG acquisition
• Familiarity with SalesForce as system of record for project execution/status/reporting.
• Ability to communicate to government/military audiences (Congress, commercial DoD vendors, military officials, media, etc.) to gain acceptance of vision, guidance and policy
• Prior military experience that allows the candidate to curate problems and define requirements with military end users
• Excellent leadership, communication, organization, and client-handling skills
• Ability to work collaboratively within a cross-function team under tight deadlines and high-pressure environments

160,000 - 200,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

 
Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring.  Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees.
Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran’s status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.