Defense and National Security Science & Technology Program Lead

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach-one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world's most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

The Defense and National Security Science & Technology Program Lead serves as a senior-level individual contributor responsible for the development and execution of a portfolio of complex science and technology programs, primarily for U.S. national security government sponsors. This role combines business development, technical judgment, program management, and stakeholder engagement to ensure high-quality program and project execution and alignment with sponsor priorities.

Working under general direction from the Center Director or other senior leaders, the Program Lead exercises independent judgment in growing and managing technical portfolios, managing the execution of projects, client engagement and management, evaluating research progress, and coordinating across multidisciplinary teams that may include RTI researchers, subcontractors, academic partners, and government stakeholders.

Program Leadership & Technical Contribution

• Manage and oversee Science & Technology (S&T) focused programs across their full lifecycle, including proposal development and capture, planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout, ensuring technical quality, schedule adherence, and sponsor satisfaction.
• Evaluate research outputs, technical reports, and deliverables to ensure alignment with program objectives and sponsor requirements, drawing on scientific and engineering expertise.
• Identify risks and opportunities and recommend corrective or enhancement actions based on technical and programmatic assessments.
• Lead RTI teams, working with multidisciplinary experts, cross-cutting organizational structures to deliver the highest quality and innovative work for the client.
• Apply scientific, engineering, or technical domain expertise to assess emerging technologies, research approaches, and innovation opportunities relevant to sponsor missions.
• Provide advisory services on technology development, commercialization and mission integration to clients.
• Support the development of program strategies, research and development roadmaps, and investment priorities in coordination with sponsors and RTI leadership.
• Produce thought leadership by synthesizing technical findings into clear, actionable insights for multiple audiences, internal and external to RTI.

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement

• Serve as a primary technical and programmatic point of contact for government sponsors, supporting effective communication and trust-based relationships.
• Coordinate with internal RTI teams, external collaborators, and subcontractors to integrate multidisciplinary expertise and ensure cohesive program execution.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with external organizations important to program delivery objectives
• Prepare and deliver briefings, written summaries, and decision-support materials for senior sponsor and RTI leadership audiences.
• Assist with monitoring subcontractor performance and deliverables to ensure compliance with contractual and technical expectations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A PhD in science, engineering, or a closely related technical field with at least 6 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in science, engineering, or a closely related technical field with at least 10 years of relevant experience; or a Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or a closely related technical field with at least 12 years of relevant experience.
• Significant relevant experience supporting or managing science and technology research programs for U.S. government national security or comparable sponsors, such as Department of Energy.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate technical work and research outcomes using sound scientific or engineering judgment.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and engaging senior technical and policy stakeholders.
• Client management experience creating strong partnership with government or corporate clients.
• Proven record of successful proposal development leadership and project capture leading to awarded contracts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-specialist audiences.
• Experience supporting defense, national security, or federally funded R&D programs.
• Familiarity with Department of War government research funding, program planning, and budget execution processes.
• Experience leading competitive research proposals or new business development activities.
• Periodic domestic travel may be required based on program needs.
• To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require, now or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status(e.g., H-1B visa status, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (PhD) in a relevant technical or scientific discipline.
• Relevant experience (eg. program manager, technology developer, operator, or acquisition professional) with the U.S. Department of War, Intelligence Community, or prior U.S. military service strongly preferred.

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is availablehere.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.