Defense Innovation Ecosystem Lead – OnRamp NC

RTI International; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 138,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

RTI International seeks an Ecosystem Engagement Lead to drive outreach, engagement, and pipeline development for the NC DIU OnRamp Hub. The role builds relationships with startups, universities, VC firms, and DoD partners to identify dual-use opportunities and accelerate technology transitions.

You will manage technology scouting, coordinate reviews, and maintain an updated ecosystem repository while traveling up to 40% to engage stakeholders regionally and nationally.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in business, engineering, science, public policy, or related field and at least five years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing stakeholder outreach, ecosystem engagement, and pipeline development strategies.
• Experience building relationships across commercial tech, startups, academia, investors, accelerators, and defense stakeholders in NC.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute outreach, engagement, and pipeline development strategies for the NC DIU OnRamp Hub.
• Cultivate relationships with startups, tech firms, universities, and industry partners.
• Coordinate technology scouting and manage screening with subject-matter experts.
• Ensure ecosystem intelligence is current and pipeline is diverse and relevant.

Skills

Stakeholder outreach

Relationship management

Public speaking

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Master’s degree in business or related field

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

RTI International seeks an Ecosystem Engagement Lead to drive outreach, engagement, and pipeline development for the NC DIU OnRamp Hub. The role builds relationships with startups, universities, VC firms, and DoD partners to identify dual-use opportunities and accelerate technology transitions.

You will manage technology scouting, coordinate reviews, and maintain an updated ecosystem repository while traveling up to 40% to engage stakeholders regionally and nationally.