Darpa Program Manager Jobs in Arkansas (NOW HIRING)

Bentonville, Arkansas, United States

STATION NWA Team reporting to SVP Operations

Full-time, Hybrid

This is a role for a connector, a visionary, and a builder ready to make Northwest Arkansas a nationally recognized home for innovation. STATION NWA is a new nonprofit entity launching in Bentonville, AR to increase connectivity between Northwest Arkansas’ (NWA) entrepreneurial ecosystem and the rest of the country, with a special focus on dual-use and deep tech and its direct connection to innovation within manufacturing, supply chain and logistics.

As the inaugural Executive Director, you’ll have the opportunity to shape this new hub from the ground up. You’ll recruit and lead a talented local team, cultivating regional partnerships, and connecting NWA to a powerful national network of startups, investors, and government innovators. You’ll collaborate with leaders from federal agencies like DARPA and U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM), engage with creative partners like The Momentary, and build bridges between founders, funders, and Fortune 500s.

Requirements

What you will do…

• Lead and Grow STATION NWA: Execute a strategic plan to position Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas as a hub for dual-use, manufacturing, and supply chain innovation.
• Support Entrepreneurs: Facilitate mentorship and expertise for local entrepreneurs, connecting them with their next investors, mentors, customers and partners.
• Host High-Impact Programs: Deliver programming tailored to the needs of Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurial community
• Drive Investment and Relocation: Help raise $1M for NWA startups and attract three businesses to establish a local presence.
• Secure Station Sustainability: Raise a minimum of $1M in funding to grow Station NWA’s reach and long-term impact

You'll know you're successful if....

• 100+ Northwest Arkansas founders receive direct mentorship and expert guidance through STATION NWA programs.
• STATION NWA delivers at least five Cup of Capital sessions, five Innovation Sessions, five educational workshops, five dual-use/supply chain dinners, and one Made in America Dual Use Summit, exceeding targets for registration, attendance, and sponsorship.
• $1M+ in investment is raised for Northwest Arkansas startups, and an additional $1M+ secured to support Station NWA’s operations and long-term sustainability.
• At least three companies establish or expand their presence in Northwest Arkansas through STATION-led engagement and partnerships.
• STATION NWA demonstrates measurable growth in strategic partnerships, investor participation, and regional media visibility within its first year.

About you…

• You are a visionary builder who turns big ideas into reality, driving innovation and execution across technology, defense, and manufacturing sectors in fast-growing regions like Northwest Arkansas.
• You are a connector of ecosystems, building powerful partnerships across government, academia, and industry to elevate Bentonville as a national center for dual-use and supply chain innovation.
• You are a dealmaker and champion, confident in asking for support, closing funding, and mobilizing resources that fuel founders and transform communities.
• You are a storyteller with influence, able to inspire stakeholders, attract investment, and expand STATION NWA’s visibility across Arkansas and beyond.
• You are calm in the chaos, thriving in fast-paced environments while keeping a clear focus on long-term impact for the region’s innovation economy.
• You check your email in the evenings and are available to work during evening events and over the weekends when there is a tight deadline. You do what it takes to get the job done.

About our team...

• We have a passion for startups and technology.
• We are transparent and we over-communicate.
• We have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• We communicate when we are not able to meet a deadline and suggest a solution.
• We are professional and presentable and greet everyone cheerfully. We’re ready to deal with an immature student, a pushy salesperson, top VC’s, a fortune 500 CEO, and even the President of the United States.
• We are excited to work in Bentonville, Arkansas and have reliable transportation.
• We have a quiet place where we can work remotely with fast internet.
• We are security aware. We have a passcode on our computers and phones and use a password manager.
• We are able to efficiently use the Google suite of productivity tools (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides).
• We are available to work at CF House during SXSW (Spring Break), DREAMCON (one week long staff summits twice a year), and Austin Tech Week.
• We get to Inbox Zero every day.

Benefits

• 4 weeks paid time off (one week is between Christmas and New Year’s)

• Personal health, vision and dental insurance paid 100% by STATION NWA
• Additional benefits such as 401k program (50% company matching), life insurance, short & long term disability and and employee assistance program
• Parental leave including 10 weeks paid leave for birthing parents and 4 weeks paid leave for non-birthing parents
• $1,000 personal innovation budget on your first year anniversary and then an additional $500 each anniversary thereafter
• Coworking membership at Capital Factory with garage parking space, metro pass, or rideshare credits and access to the onsite gym
• A priceless network
• Yearly salary of $150,000 plus OTE

STATION NWA is the latest expansion of STATION’s ecosystem. STATION NWA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to anchor supply chain and manufacturing innovation in Northwest Arkansas. By launching a dedicated physical space and integrated digital community in Bentonville, STATION NWA will connect regional entrepreneurs with national resources and opportunities. The nonprofit will serve as a conduit between startups and collaborators in both the public and private sectors, with a special focus on dual-use applications that align with the region’s commercial strengths. Core activities will include startup mentorship, educational academies, investor engagement, and national event programming.