DIU - Autonomous Warfare Program Manager

Riverside Overview

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 a Program Manager with a strong background in at least two of the areas of military operational experience, commercial technology, technical program management, autonomous, robototics, AI, or related fields with a curiosity to learn the other areas to support the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). DIU is a Department of War organization responsible for accelerating the adoption of commercial technology across the Department.

As a principal gateway between the Department and leading technology companies, DIU identifies, prototypes, fields, and scales capabilities that address urgent operational needs for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and the broader joint force.

Autonomous Warfare Program Managers are responsible for turning consequential warfighter problems into executable programs—and moving promising commercial technologies from initial discovery to operational use.

This is not a traditional administrative program management role. Program Managers operate with substantial autonomy and are expected to demonstrate sound judgment, initiative, and ownership. They define and refine problems, build partnerships, shape acquisition strategies, assess technologies, manage vendors and commercial stakeholders, and drive capabilities through prototyping, transitioning, and fielding.

• Translate complex operational needs into clear problem statements, technical objectives, evaluation criteria, and executable acquisition strategies.
• Identify and assess commercial technologies, companies, and emerging market capabilities relevant to priority Department needs.
• Build and lead multidisciplinary programs involving military operators, engineers, acquisition professionals, contracting personnel, test organizations, commercial vendors, and senior leaders.
• Manage program outcomes, schedules, budgets, risks, dependencies, and stakeholder expectations from initial problem definition through transition.
• Develop competitive solicitation, prototyping, experimentation, and contracting strategies using the most appropriate acquisition pathways.
• Design operational assessments that generate credible evidence, meaningful end-user feedback, and clear transition decisions.
• Work directly with vendors to resolve technical, contractual, operational, and organizational barriers.
• Develop transition strategies that move successful prototypes into production, sustained operational use, or an established program of record.
• Communicate program status, risks, decisions, and recommendations clearly to senior government, military, and industry stakeholders.
• Build enduring partnerships across the Services, combatant commands, program offices, operational units, commercial industry, and the broader defense innovation ecosystem.

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 Background Competitive candidates will demonstrate most of the following:

• Meaningful experience in at least two of these areas: military operations, commercial technology, DoD acquisition, technical program management, autonomy, robotics, or artificial intelligence.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical programs with responsibility for outcomes, schedules, budgets, risks, and senior stakeholder expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments, make decisions with incomplete information, and maintain momentum without detailed direction.
• Sufficient technical fluency to decompose unfamiliar problems, evaluate solution credibility and maturity, identify integration risks, and engage effectively with engineers and…