Autonomy Program Manager

Riverside Research; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Research is seeking a Program Manager with strong background in military operations, program management, autonomous systems engineering, or startup environments. This role supports the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) with rapid prototyping and fielding of autonomous solutions for the warfighter.

The role can be located in Arlington, VA or Mountain View, CA, and requires delivering on schedules and budgets while aligning DoD needs with commercial technology. TS/SCI clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in program management (DoD acquisition, rapid prototyping).
• Familiarity with autonomous systems engineering and evaluating vendor claims.
• Experience drafting SOWs, building schedules, issuing task orders.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple stakeholders and keep complex projects on track.
• DoD/USG and commercial experience preferred.
• Current TS/SCI clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Champion the needs of the warfighter throughout program development and execution.
• Drive program lifecycle from problem definition to fielding and transition to the warfighter.
• Make critical decisions to keep programs on schedule and within budget.
• Develop strategies, operating plans and budgets for programs.
• Lead cross‑functional teams across DIU and partner organizations to enable success.
• Serve as an Autonomy SME and mentor others on the team.

Skills

Program management

Autonomous systems engineering

DoD acquisition knowledge

SOW drafting & scheduling

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a technical field

Master's degree

PhD

Job description

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.

Position Overview

Riverside Research is seeking a Program Manager with a strong background in one or more of the areas of military operational experience, program management, autonomous systems engineering, and/or startups with a curiosity to learn the other areas. They combine that expertise and curiosity with an urgency to solve real problems for the warfighter and the humility to embrace any necessary task to support our Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) customer.

DIU is a Department of War (DoW) organization focused on accelerating the Department’s adoption of commercial technology at speed and scale. As the Department’s gateway to leading technology companies, DIU is focused on rapid prototyping, fielding, and scaling of solutions that can save lives, increase performance, lower costs, and deter future conflict.

Driven by a sense of service and the desire to solve priority warfighter problems quickly, DIU Autonomy PMs enjoy unparalleled freedom with performance expectations to match.

A DIU Autonomy PM may work on autonomous system programs across domains, functions, and mission areas.

This position can be located in Arlington, VA or Mountain View, CA.

Responsibilities

• Champion the needs of the warfighter first and foremost throughout program development and execution.
• Drive program execution over the entire program lifecycle, from initial problem definition through solution design, operational testing, and final transition to the warfighter.
• Empowered to make critical decisions to ensure the program stays on schedule and within budget while addressing the defined problem.
• Responsible for the development of strategies, operating plans, and budgets.
• Curate new programs through proactive engagement with DoW customers and outreach to companies to gain insights into DoW capability gaps and align them with potential commercial solutions that support DoW stakeholders.
• Build and lead cross‑functional integrated product teams composed of civilians, military personnel, and contractors from within DIU and across the Department to enable program success.
• Serve as an Autonomy Subject Matter Expert (SME), continually building and sharing technical expertise on autonomous systems with team members and senior leadership.
• Collaborate with Acquisition professionals and other Program Managers to address contract‑related matters.
• Ensure accountability and rigor by establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), monitoring program health through rigorous data analysis, and reporting outcomes directly to senior leadership.
• Act as a critical member of the Autonomy team by leveraging expertise and resources across the team and by providing support and mentorship to others working on other programs.

Qualifications

Typically a minimum of 12 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree, 8 years with a master’s degree, a PhD with 5 years’ experience, or equivalent experience is typically required for an employee at this level.

Required Experience

• Demonstrated experience in program management (preferably in DoD acquisition, technology transition, or rapid prototyping).
• Familiarity with autonomous systems engineering – enough to ask the right questions and assess vendor claims.
• Experience writing SOWs, building schedules, issuing task orders, or managing similar project documentation.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple stakeholders and keep complex projects on track.
• Mix of DoD/USG and commercial experience strongly preferred.
• Current TS/SCI clearance required.

ATTRIBUTES

• Energetic & Mission‑Driven – motivated to solve hard DoD problems with commercial technology.
• Entrepreneurial – seeks opportunities, builds networks, and grows DIU’s impact.
• Independent – makes informed decisions and keeps projects moving without constant guidance.
• Agile & Flexible – navigates DoD bureaucracy and finds ways to get to "yes".
• Organized & Detail‑Oriented – comfortable with the mundane PM tasks that make projects successful.
• Fixer/Solver – proactively identifies risks, mitigates issues, and clears blockers.

NICE‑TO‑HAVES

• Experience trying to sell technology to DoD or working inside a PEO/PM office.
• Frustration with DoD bureaucracy and a passion to improve it.
• Prior operational or combat experience (reinforcing end‑user empathy).
• Networks in autonomy, CUAS, or defense innovation communities.

Global Comp

$150,000 – $225,000. This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location, and other factors.

Closing Statement

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.