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Defense Innovation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PM2 Strategies

$110 - $140/hr

... the defense innovation and industrial base. The DoW has a need to assess and provide ... The results of the assessments are used to generate industrial-innovation-base inputs to technology ...

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Defense Innovation information

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$11K

$97.6K

$116K

How much do defense innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense innovation in the United States is $97,583.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,000.00 and $104,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is Defense Innovation?

Defense innovation refers to the development and application of new technologies, strategies, and processes within the defense sector to enhance national security and military effectiveness. It involves adapting cutting-edge advancements—such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems—to address evolving threats and challenges. Defense innovation is crucial for maintaining a technological edge, improving operational capabilities, and ensuring that military organizations can effectively respond to current and future security needs.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in Defense Innovation roles?

Professionals in Defense Innovation often navigate the complex intersection of military needs, emerging technologies, and regulatory requirements. One common challenge is balancing the rapid pace of technological change with lengthy procurement and approval processes. Additionally, collaboration across multidisciplinary teams—including engineers, military personnel, and government stakeholders—requires strong communication and adaptability. Navigating security protocols and maintaining confidentiality while fostering innovation can also be demanding, making flexibility and creative problem-solving essential for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Defense Innovation, and why are they important?

To thrive in Defense Innovation, you need expertise in systems engineering, technology development, and analytical problem-solving, often supported by a background in STEM fields and experience with defense protocols. Familiarity with project management tools, rapid prototyping platforms, and relevant security clearances is typically required. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and strategic thinking are critical soft skills to excel in this evolving landscape. These competencies are essential for driving technological advancements and delivering effective solutions to complex defense challenges.

What is the difference between Defense Innovation vs Defense Analyst?

AspectDefense Innovation

AspectDefense Innovation

Defense Innovation focuses on developing new technologies and strategies to enhance national security, often involving research, prototyping, and collaboration with tech firms. Defense Analysts evaluate existing defense programs, analyze military data, and provide strategic insights. While both roles support defense objectives, Defense Innovation emphasizes creating future solutions, whereas Defense Analysts focus on assessing current systems. Candidates often need similar security clearances and technical backgrounds, but their daily tasks differ significantly.

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What states have the most Defense Innovation jobs?

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Defense Innovation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Innovation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,583 per year, or $46.9 per hour.

Project Lead II - Hacking for Defense/Problem Sourcing Operations

BMNT

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

About the Role:
At BMNT, Project Leads play an integral role in our consulting practice, delivering measurable outcomes for government partners. We are seeking a highly adaptive, collaborative, and operations-minded Project Lead to spearhead problem-sourcing operations for the national Hacking for Defense (H4D) program.
In this role, you will be the primary bridge between the warfighter, national laboratories, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Serving as a key interface with our client, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), you will lead the charge in identifying, curating, and scoping complex military challenges into actionable problems for university student teams.
Beyond stakeholder management, you will act as an operational leader-supervising a team of sharp innovation analysts, overseeing complex data workflows in government databases, and seamlessly collaborating with cross-functional contractor teams.
Location: This is a hybrid position within commuting distance to our Arlington, VA office with the expectation of being in the office three days per week and sometimes more often based on customer needs. Occasional travel required within the DC metro area, around the US and internationally.
What You Will Be Doing (Responsibilities):
  • Client & Stakeholder Management
    • DIU Liaison: Serve as a trusted, day-to-day point of contact for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), ensuring alignment on strategic sourcing requirements, timelines, and program delivery.
    • Government Sourcing: Travel to and engage with military bases, combatant commands, and national laboratories to source high-impact, real-world problems.
    • Multi-Contractor Collaboration: Maintain a high level of diplomatic and professional excellence while working side-by-side with other contracting firms embedded within the program to ensure unified execution.
  • Operational Leadership & Team Management
    • Team Management: Supervise, mentor, and task a dedicated team of innovation analysts responsible for problem discovery, research, and initial scoping.
    • Data & Knowledge Management: Oversee the integrity, formatting, and strict validation of sourced problem data as it is inputted into the DIU Problem Source Database. Ensure strict quality control so that problem descriptions are accurate, complete, and unclassified.
    • Problem Curation: Guide analysts in applying BMNT's problem curation framework to filter out simple procurement issues and isolate "wicked problems" ideal for lean prototyping.
    • Program Management: Shape program direction as well as opportunities for growth. Continuous improvement of tools and processes.
    • Contract/Financial Acumen: Manage and track the delivery of contract tasks including various reports and other deliverables.

Experience and Qualifications You'll Need to Thrive in this Role:
Education & Experience
  • Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
  • Defense Ecosystem Fluency: At least 10 years of experience including 3-5+ years of experience working closely with the Department of Defense (DoD), national laboratories (FFRDCs/UARCs), or defense innovation entities (e.g., DIU, NSIN, DARPA, SOFWERX).
  • Client & Government Advisory: Proven track record of managing government clients, navigating military hierarchies, and maintaining high customer satisfaction.
  • Supervisory Experience: At least 3+ years of experience directly managing small teams, analysts, or cross-functional project workflows.

Skills
  • The "Bilingual" Translator: Ability to deeply understand dense military requirements and translate them into lean, commercial-style problem statements that university students can grasp.
  • Data-Driven & Process-Oriented: Comfortable managing database workflows, auditing data inputs, and maintaining meticulous quality control under tight deadlines.
  • Communication and Collaboration: Exceptional interpersonal skills required to manage a fragmented stakeholder landscape, including government clients, academic partners, and competing/cooperating contractors. Strong leadership skills and experience managing up, down and across an organization.
  • Comfortable with Ambiguity: An entrepreneurial mindset that thrives in changing environments and can guide a team through evolving client requirements.

Preferred (But Not Required)
  • Experience with Lean Startup methodologies, the Mission Model Canvas, or previous exposure to the Hacking for Defense (H4D) curriculum.

Additional Requirements
  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Occasional travel required within the DC metro area, around the US and internationally.
  • Passion for BMNT's mission and commitment to enabling innovation at scale within the federal enterprise.

What Success Looks Like for Year One
  • Client Retention & Trust: High performance marks and feedback from DIU stakeholders and government problem sponsors.
  • Team Utilization: High-quality output, professional growth, and efficient delivery from the supervised analyst team.
  • Database Accuracy & Volume: Successful curation and input of a target number of high-quality, validated problems into the DIU database per academic cycle.

If you are a self-starter with an obsession for outcomes, not activities and a history of achievements, and enjoy working on projects with collaborative and creative teams, this could be the right role for you!
Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
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About BMNT

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Palo Alto, CA, US

Year founded

2011

Social media

Twitter

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