Technology Portfolio Manager

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is the organization within the Department of Defense that exists to accelerate the adoption of commercial technology for national security. We operate at the intersection of the Pentagon and Silicon Valley, and we are looking for leaders who can thrive in both worlds.

Are you equally comfortable and credible walking into a venture-capital-backed startup in Palo Alto and a three-star General’s office in the Pentagon? If so, we want to talk to you. We are seeking three entrepreneurial Technology Portfolio Managers to lead our efforts in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Autonomous Systems, and Emerging Technologies.

► As a Portfolio Manager at DIU, you will own your technology area from end to end. This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you will:

► Develop and execute the strategy for your entire technology portfolio.

► Engage directly with cutting-edge commercial tech companies—from startups to established leaders—to identify novel solutions.

►Work with senior leaders across the military services to understand and define critical warfighter needs and capability gaps.

►Lead the rapid prototyping, contracting, and transitioning of commercial solutions into the hands of service members.

►Serve as the trusted subject matter expert for your technology area across the Department of Defense.

Who We're Looking For:

We need proven leaders who have demonstrated experience on both sides of the house.

The "DoD/Government Side":

► You understand the military's operational needs and speak the language of the warfighter.

► You have experience navigating the DoD at senior levels and understand its requirements and acquisition processes.

► Prior military service or direct experience supporting combatant commands or service components is a major asset.

► The "Commercial Tech Side":

► You have hands-on experience in the commercial technology sector, preferably in a product-focused role.

► You understand commercial business models, go-to-market strategies, and what motivates a tech company to work with the government.

► You are technically credible and possess deep knowledge of the current and emerging commercial landscape in your portfolio area (AI/ML, Autonomy, Cyber, Space, Energy, etc.).

Key Details:

►Position: Technology Portfolio Manager

►Agency: Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)

►Pay Plan/Grade: NH-04 (GS-14/15 equivalent)

►Duty Locations: Mountain View, CA or Arlington, VA (The Pentagon)

►Security Clearance: An active Top Secret / SCI clearance is strongly preferred. You must be able to obtain and maintain this clearance.

►Hiring Authority: This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) position. The process is streamlined and moves quickly. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

If you are a builder, a problem-solver, and a leader who is passionate about leveraging technology to solve critical national security challenges, we encourage you to apply.