Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.   

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: 

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Project/Unit Description

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) seeks an experienced and dynamic Research Engagement Manager to join the Advanced Concepts Laboratory (ACL). This position serves as a critical bridge between cutting-edge research initiatives and strategic stakeholder engagement, facilitating the translation of innovative concepts into impactful solutions for sponsors and partners. This position is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Advanced Concepts Laboratory develops tailored solutions for a broad range of national security challenges through disciplined application of physics- and effects-based modeling to realizable systems, augmented with prototype development and testing. ACL’s research thrusts extend across domains, and include bio, chemical, RF, and optical-sensor physics; materials science and engineering; electromagnetic theory, computation, structures, and measurements; electronic warfare techniques and applications; operational scenario modeling and simulation; traditional and asymmetric threat analysis; and ground maneuver warfare.

Job Purpose

As a global leader in applied research and advanced technologies for our nation’s most critical national security challenges, The Georgia Tech Research Institute deploys multi-disciplinary, distinguished solutions that anticipate the demands of tomorrow and address the complex problems of today. We seek to develop innovative technical solutions that enable a secure nation, a prosperous Georgia, and a sustainable world. The Chief Technology Office of GTRI is responsible for developing and implementing GTRI’s technology strategy, fostering technical excellence, and broadly engaging the academic units of Georgia Tech in collaborative research. This position will develop and foster collaborative research with Georgia Tech academic units and institutes; Minority Serving Institutes; industry and government agencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and foster collaborative research between GTRI and Georgia Tech academic units and institutes; Minority Serving Institutes; industry and government agencies.
• Develop, implement and manage a Technical Communications plan for the GTRI to promote technical excellence and disseminate advanced research and technology within GTRI.
• Foster technical excellence within GTRI by developing, promoting, supporting and managing technical communities of interest across GTRI.
• Develop, implement and manage student research programs such as graduate fellowships and internships.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Additional Responsibilities

• Research Program Development & Management (70%)
  • Identify, develop, and manage research opportunities aligned with ACL strategic priorities
  • Collaborate with principal investigators to shape research proposals and technical approaches
  • Monitor project execution, ensuring deliverables meet sponsor requirements and quality standards
  • Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration across GTRI laboratories and Georgia Tech academic units
• Stakeholder Engagement & Business Development (20%)
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with government, military, and industry sponsors
  • Represent ACL at conferences, workshops, and sponsor meetings
  • Develop strategic engagement plans to expand ACL's research portfolio
  • Coordinate sponsor visits, technical demonstrations, and capability briefings
  • Identify emerging sponsor needs and translate them into research opportunities
• Strategic Planning & Communications (10%)
  • Contribute to ACL strategic planning and portfolio management
  • Prepare executive-level briefings, white papers, and technical communications
  • Track technology trends and competitive landscape relevant to ACL mission areas
  • Support proposal development through writing, coordination, and review

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Computer Science, or related technical field
• Minimum 20 years of relevant professional experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Security Clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• Ph.D. or Masters in a relevant technical discipline
• Experience working with federally funded research and development centers (FFRDC) or university applied research laboratories (UARL)
• Knowledge of Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, or other federal agency research priorities
• Experience with emerging technologies such as AI/ML, autonomy, cyber, advanced sensing, or related areas
• Established network within the defense or intelligence research community

Travel Requirements

10% - 25% travel

Education and Length of Experience

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook

• 18 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Computer Science, or Related Technical Field
• 15 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Computer Science, or Related Technical Field

Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels.

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Benefits at GTRI

Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (“USG”) and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual’s race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.