Senior Technical Strategist

Valiant Harbor International is a CVE Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business that specializes in technical, programmatic, acquisition, compliance, and financial services for Government science and technology, research and development, and technological programs. At Valiant Harbor International, we emphasize our intense focus on helping federal government agencies identify and address organizational challenges to tailor and integrate specific solutions to solve their most difficult problems. Success is defined by our ability to meet our customers’ needs quickly, efficiently, and effectively.

Valiant Harbor International is seeking a Senior Technical Strategist to support the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Office of the Director (DIRO). The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to translate complex scientific and engineering concepts into actionable recommendations for senior leadership. This is a full-time, onsite position located at ARPA-H Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide the first technical read on new program ideas, emerging initiatives, and scientific opportunities, helping identify the concepts most deserving of leadership attention.
• Prepare executive-level briefings, presentations, memoranda, talking points, background materials, and other decision-support products.
• Attend program pitches, scientific reviews, leadership engagements, and strategic discussions across the agency.
• Engage with Program Managers, Mission Office leadership, and subject matter experts to understand technical content, identify key issues, and strengthen executive products.
• Help ensure that leadership guidance, decisions, and feedback are effectively communicated and incorporated into agency activities.
• Translate dense scientific and technical material into concise products that senior leaders can quickly understand and act upon.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools to accelerate research, synthesis, briefing preparation, knowledge management, and operational effectiveness.
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Director's Office.
• Build and maintain templates, workflows, repositories, and knowledge resources that improve organizational performance.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across the Director's Office and broader agency to support leadership priorities.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in a scientific, engineering, computational, biomedical, or related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated scientific range across more than one scientific or technical field.
• Track record of distilling complex scientific, technical, or operational material for senior decision-makers.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to build credibility with scientists, engineers, physicians, executives, and other stakeholders.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled tools and a demonstrated interest in applying them to improve organizational effectiveness.

Desired Additional Qualifications:

• Experience in biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, venture capital, scientific investing, management consulting, advanced R&D organizations, or related fields.
• Experience evaluating emerging technologies, scientific opportunities, or research portfolios.
• Experience supporting senior executives, founders, government leaders, or institutional decision-makers.
• Experience operating in fast-paced, mission-driven organizations.
• Familiarity with ARPA organizations, HHS, NIH, BARDA, DARPA, IARPA, ARPA-E, or similar environments.

Work Environment: Onsite at Washington, DC. Some travel anticipated.

Salary Range: Negotiable