Ecosystem Engagement Lead (EEL)

Job Summary 

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 OnRamp Hub: Hawai‘i. 

This role serves as a primary integrator between Department of War (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 candidate operates comfortably 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. 

Essential Duties / Responsibilities 

Ecosystem & Mission-Partner Engagement 

• Serve as a trusted engagement lead with DoW mission 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 and maintain sustained relationships across government, industry, academia, and venture ecosystems 
• Represent the OnRamp Hub in senior-level meetings, working groups, and ecosystem forums 

Innovation Pathway & Transition Enablement 

• 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 

 Programmatic & Event Execution 

• Lead or support execution of capability showcases, 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 

Strategic Ecosystem Development 

• Support positioning Hawai‘i as a key mission-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 

Reporting & Internal Alignment 

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

Job Requirements and Qualifications:

Education: 

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

Required 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 

Preferred Experience: 

• 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 

Key Competencies 

• 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 
• Secret Clearance 

Work Environment: 

• Hybrid / remote work environment with regular in-person engagement across Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific 
• Periodic travel required to support mission-partner engagement, events, and demonstrations 

Benefits: 

• Health/Dental/Vision insurance coverage  
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability  
• Retirement savings plan with employer match  
• Paid time off and paid holidays