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 Washington Field Office Strategic Engagement Officer (SEO) serves as the principal strategist and action officer for the Washington Field Office. The SEO develops and executes strategic engagements in the National Capital Region, synchronizes outreach across GT, GTRI, and its field offices while coordinating with the Department of War and other DoD stakeholders. The position converts strategic guidance into actionable plans, tracks execution, and ensures that field office activities advance GTRI and sponsor objectives.

Job Purpose

The Research Program Manager directs and oversees a portfolio of research projects that includes internal and external sponsor and stakeholder engagement. The Research Program Manager is responsible both for the oversight of technical execution, schedule, and budget of assigned portfolios. Specifically, the Research Program Manager develops the planning of programs and future projects through routine interactions with stakeholders. The Research Program Manager develops trusted relationships with sponsors and also serves in an advisory capacity to critical stakeholders defining the technical direction of projects and technical thrusts.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee technical government programs which are of relatively medium-to-high risk and medium-to-high complexity.
• Ensure that all required resources such as engineering expertise, manpower, production, computer infrastructure, facilities, etc. are available for the program.
• Build multi-disciplinary teams across the organization.
• Plan, direct, and monitor program budgets and serve as primary sponsor contact for program information inquiries.
• Author and oversee delivery of project deliverables.
• Coordinate schedules, briefing materials, minutes and logistics associated with project meetings.
• Direct program growth by proposing new ideas to sponsors and marketing new technology or follow-on business opportunities.
• Understand and present GTRI core competencies and lab capabilities to external sponsors and stakeholders.
• Maintain an understanding of various sponsors interests in a given technical area.
• Coordinate with program development leads and GTRI support units on large proposals and training curriculum.
• Understand and present GTRI core competencies and lab capabilities to external sponsors and stakeholders.
• Understands various sponsors interested in a given technical area.
• Coordinate with program development leads and GTRI support units on large proposals and training curriculum.
• Understand sponsor portfolios of projects across labs in the Directorate.
• Maintain Directorate-level knowledge of strategic plans and complementary technical area or technology overlaps.
• Maintains knowledge of government and Institute regulations that govern GTRI projects.
• Communicate effectively to mediate between multiple stakeholders and converge on optimal solutions.

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Develop, maintain, and execute a comprehensive Washington Field Office strategic engagement plan aligned with GTRI priorities, Department of War modernization initiatives, and Joint Force requirements.
• Engineer strategic frameworks that synchronize GTRI technical capabilities with emerging defense policy requirements and operational gaps.
• Conduct targeted gap analyses to identify opportunities where GTRI capabilities address critical sponsor needs.
• Design and implement crisis and contingency response protocols for rapid engagement with DoD stakeholders during emerging requirements.

Senior Action Officer & Executive Advisement

• Serve as principal action officer for the Field Office Director, preparing high-quality taskers, information papers, decision memos, and executive briefings for senior defense audiences.
• Brief executive leadership across the Department of War, PEOs, Joint Staff, and OSD on complex technical programs and strategic initiatives.
• Synthesize complex data from diverse technical and operational sources into clear, actionable recommendations for senior decisionmakers.

Additional Responsibilities

Strategic Communication & Messaging.

• Develop concise strategic messaging, white papers, and briefings that clearly connect division capabilities to operational problems and sponsor priorities using mission-focused language.
• Design data-driven policy recommendations by synthesizing inputs from multiple technical and operational sources.
• Create authoritative research products that establish GTRI as a trusted strategic partner to the Department of War leadership
  Internal Coordination & Team Leadership.
• Lead cross-functional teams of researchers, engineers, and analysts in developing integrated solutions for complex sponsor requirements.

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement & Liaison

• Identify, plan, and execute high-impact strategic engagements, including senior leader visits, technical exchanges, integrated product teams (IPTs), working groups, demonstrations, and wargaming events with Department of War, PEOs, and DoD/IC partners.
• Act as primary Washington liaison to designated Department of War offices, Combatant Commands, and Joint Staff directorates; maintain continuous awareness of relevant requirements, programs, and modernization initiatives.
• Orchestrate cross-functional planning teams spanning GTRI divisions, sponsor organizations, and interagency partners to advance collaborative initiatives.
• Unify institutional research efforts by coordinating with academia, Joint Staff, OSD, and congressional staffs on high-priority programs.

Requirements Analysis

• Map ongoing and proposed projects to specific Department of War capability gaps and operational requirements; identify opportunities for new starts, follow-on funding, and transitions to programs of record.
• Accelerate technical capability development by designing bespoke analytical solutions that address specific sponsor operational challenges.
• Influence executive-level decision-making by conducting authoritative research and delivering strategic white papers directly to senior defense leaders

Required Minimum Qualifications

• 12+ years of demonstrated success in DoD/government-facing strategic roles (e.g., combatant command strategist, Pentagon action officer, program director, Washington liaison officer, or senior military staff officer).
• Experience translating technical capabilities into mission- and strategy-focused messages for senior leaders.
• Proven experience as a principal strategist or senior action officer supporting executive-level decision-making in DoD organizations.
• Proven ability to coordinate complex tasks across multiple stakeholders and drive completion of actions on tight timelines.
• Strong written and oral communication skills suitable for senior defense audiences (briefings, white papers, decision memos).
• Proven ability to operate independently as a trusted advisor to senior leadership with minimal supervision.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain a Top-Secret clearance.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to support sponsor engagements, technical demonstrations, and GTRI coordination.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI Clearance.
• Proven success as a Combatant Command or Service-level strategist (e.g., J5/G5 Strategy Chief, Strategic Plans Officer).
• Extensive Pentagon experience working directly with Department of War HQ (G-3/5/7, G-8), PEOs, major commands, Joint Staff, OSD, or equivalent DoD organizations.
• Deep familiarity with DoD requirements, acquisition, and T&E processes, including planning and executing complex lab/field tests, demonstrations, and wargaming events.
• 12+ years of experience in defense-related research, operations, acquisition, strategic planning, or national security policy.
• Demonstrated success in developing or expanding funded research and maintaining relationships with senior DoD stakeholders.
• Experience in briefing and advising Flag Officers/General Officers and Senior Executive Service (SES) leadership.
• Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) or equivalent senior-level DoD education (War College, Senior Service College)

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

• 12 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree or higher in a STEM-related discipline, including Operations Research, Aeronautics, Systems Engineering is preferred.  An equivalent combination of relevant education, professional experience, and demonstrated expertise may be considered in lieu of the preferred STEM degree requirement.
• 9 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in a STEM-related Operations Research, Aeronautics, Systems Engineering, or related discipline is preferred. An equivalent combination of relevant education, professional experience, and demonstrated expertise may be considered in lieu of the preferred STEM degree requirement

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.