DARPA Switch Consultant

Job Title: Independent Consulting and Commercialization Group (ICCG) Advisor – DARPA SWITCH Program

Location: Arlington, VA (On-site for four meetings)

Compensation: $1,500–$2,000 per day (fixed daily rate per meeting - 4 meetings) + travel expense reimbursement

Engagement Type: Part-Time Consulting (July 2025 – September 2027)

Contract Type: 1099 Independent Consultant

Our client is seeking accomplished professionals to serve on the Independent Consulting and Commercialization Group (ICCG) for the DARPA SWITCH program. This six-member advisory panel will provide high-level guidance to support the commercialization of advanced biomanufacturing technologies developed under DARPA’s ambitious initiative.

ICCG members will contribute their expertise to help project teams refine commercialization strategies, identify technical or market gaps, and support successful transitions from research to scalable applications. This is a unique opportunity to advise cutting-edge innovation that directly supports national security and supply chain resilience.

• Attend four full-day, in-person meetings throughout the engagement:

  • One kickoff meeting (July/August 2025)

  • Three annual pitch events (tentatively scheduled for September 2025, 2026, and 2027)

• Provide structured, actionable feedback to DARPA-funded project teams

• Evaluate commercialization potential and offer risk mitigation guidance

• Participate in discussions with stakeholders from government, industry, and academia

• Optional:
  Provide light-touch mentoring or virtual follow-ups between meetings (uncompensated)

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (business, science, engineering, or related discipline)

• Experience in business development, licensing, startups, joint ventures, or M&A

• Background in venture capital, angel investing, or managing a company or technology portfolio

• Familiarity with technology transition from R&D to market or operational environments

• Expertise in synthetic biology, biomanufacturing, biological engineering, microbiology, or commodity chemicals

• Experience working with DARPA, DoD, or related federal biotech initiatives

• Understanding of supply/value chains, scale-up, or economic modeling in biotech/chemicals

• Program Duration: June 2025 – December 2027

• Meeting Cadence: Four in-person meetings total (approximately one per year)

• Travel & Lodging: Self-booked; reimbursement of eligible travel costs

• Compensation: $1,500–$2,000 per meeting day (fixed daily rate)