Autonomous Warfare Programs Lead

Riverside Research Institute; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Research Institute seeks a seasoned Program Manager to lead complex, multi‑discipline efforts supporting the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). The role centers on translating warfighter needs into executable programs, shaping acquisition strategies, and driving prototyping, testing, and fielding of commercial technologies for national security.

Candidates should bring senior leadership experience and a proven ability to operate in ambiguous environments. U.S.

Qualifications

• Minimum experience in two of the following areas: military operations, commercial technology, DoD acquisition, technical program management, autonomy, robotics or AI.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical programs with schedules, budgets, risks and stakeholder expectations.
• Ability to operate in ambiguous environments and drive momentum with incomplete direction.
• Technical fluency to decompose problems and engage with engineers and operators.
• Strong written and verbal communication to translate across operational, technical, commercial and acquisition communities.
• Current TS/SCI clearance

Responsibilities

• Translate complex operational needs into clear problem statements, objectives, evaluation criteria, and acquisition strategies.
• Identify and assess commercial technologies and market capabilities relevant to priority needs.
• Lead multidisciplinary programs with operators, engineers, contracting personnel, vendors, and leaders.
• Manage outcomes, schedules, budgets, risks, dependencies, and stakeholder expectations through transition.
• Develop solicitation, prototyping, and contracting strategies using suitable pathways.
• Design operational assessments to generate credible end-user feedback and transition decisions.
• Work with vendors to resolve technical, contractual, and operational barriers.
• Develop transition strategies to production or program of record.
• Communicate status, risks, decisions, and recommendations to senior government and industry stakeholders.
• Build partnerships across services, commands, offices, and industry.

Skills

Military operations

Commercial technology

DoD acquisition

Technical program management

Autonomy

Robotics

Artificial intelligence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Job description

Riverside Research Institute seeks a seasoned Program Manager to lead complex, multi‑discipline efforts supporting the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). The role centers on translating warfighter needs into executable programs, shaping acquisition strategies, and driving prototyping, testing, and fielding of commercial technologies for national security.

Candidates should bring senior leadership experience and a proven ability to operate in ambiguous environments. U.S.