Ecosystem Engagement Lead; EEL

The Ecosystem Engagement Lead (EEL) is a senior, externally facing role responsible for building, managing, and activating the defense innovation ecosystem in support of the Defense Innovation On Ramp Hub :

Hawai‘i.

This role serves as a primary integrator between Department ofWar(DoW) mission partners, innovators, transition organizations (including DIU), and regional stakeholders. The EEL ensures operational needs are clearly articulated,innovation activities are mission-aligned, and high-potential capabilities are positioned for experimentation, transition, and scale in the Indo-Pacific.

The ideal candidateoperatescomfortably across warfighters, acquisition professionals, senior government leaders, startups, prime contractors, and academic partners. This position requires independent judgment, strong relationship-building skills, and a results-oriented mindset.

• Serve as a trusted engagement lead with
  
  DoWmission partners, including combatant command staff, service components, program managers, and requirements owners
• Translate operational challenges and priority gaps into clear innovation opportunities and engagement pathways
• Build andmaintainsustained relationships across government, industry, academia, and venture ecosystems
• Represent theOn Ramp Hub  in senior-level meetings, working groups, and ecosystem forums
• Guide companies through mission-relevant engagement aligned with operational needs and transition pathways
• Support readiness for experimentation, demonstrations, exercises, and pilot activities
• Coordinate with transition stakeholders to ensure ecosystem activity aligns with mission demand signals

• Lead or support execution of capabilityshowcases, summits, challenges, and demonstrations
• Design engagements to surface decision-makers, create mission pull, and advance transition outcomes
• Capture insights, feedback, and lessons learned to refine engagement strategy

• Support positioning
  
  Hawai‘i as akeymission-relevant innovation node for the Indo-Pacific
• Identify gaps in the ecosystem and recommend partnership or capability-building actions
• Contribute to long-term ecosystem strategy in coordination with leadership

• Provide leadership with situational awareness on ecosystem dynamics and mission demand
• Contribute to briefings, reports, and executive-level updates
• Collaborate closely with leadership and teamstaff to align execution with strategy

Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and operational experience

• Demonstrated experience in defense, national security, government-adjacent innovation, or mission-driven programs
• Proven ability to engage credibly with senior government, military, and industry stakeholders
• Experience translating operational needs into actionable innovation or technology pathways
• Strong understanding of Department of War structure,mission and terminology

• Experience working with Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) or service innovation organizations
• Familiarity with DoD experimentation, acquisition, or operational planning processes
• Background in ecosystem development, dual-use technology, or defense innovation programs
• Military or Department of War civilian background
• Strong strategic relationship-building skills
• Operational fluency and mission-oriented mindset
• High judgment, discretion, and professional credibility
• Ability to synthesize complex environments into actionable pathways
• Comfortable working independently in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
• Hybrid / remote work environment with regular in-person engagement across
  
  Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific
• Periodic travelrequiredto support mission-partner engagement, events, and demonstrations
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance coverage
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Retirement savings plan with employer match