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Innovation Lab Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Team Member Specialist - AM

Newport News, VA · On-site

$15 - $18.75/hr

Greet customers as they can come into the Innovation Lab. * Assist Project Discovery Youth Team Leader and Counselors. * Assist Directors with programming needs - PH3, Clean Comfort, RISE, WFA, VITA ...

6G Standards Research Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$162K - $315K/yr

As a member of our 6G Innovation Lab at Ofinno, you will be at the forefront of pioneering advancements in wireless communication technologies. This role involves creating state-of-the-art solutions ...

6G Standards Research Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$162K - $315K/yr

As a member of our 6G Innovation Lab at Ofinno, you will be at the forefront of pioneering advancements in wireless communication technologies. This role involves creating state-of-the-art solutions ...

As a member of our 6G Innovation Lab at Ofinno, you will be at the forefront of pioneering advancements in wireless communication technologies. This role involves creating state-of-the-art solutions ...

As a member of our 6G Innovation Lab at Ofinno, you will be at the forefront of pioneering advancements in wireless communication technologies. This role involves creating state-of-the-art solutions ...

Salesforce Developer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$56.25 - $74.50/hr

Explains complex technology concepts in in simple language. • Partners with SMEs across IT, Data Governance, Innovation Lab and other areas to design solutions that will deliver maximum value ...

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Innovation Lab information

See Virginia salary details

$9

$25

$44

How much do innovation lab jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for innovation lab in Virginia is $25.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.09 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the innovation lab position, and why are they important?

To excel in an Innovation Lab role, you typically need a background in design thinking, project management, and business strategy, often supported by a degree in engineering, business, or a related field. Experience with prototyping tools, agile methodologies, and innovation management platforms such as Miro or Jira is highly valuable. Strong collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving skills help individuals contribute unique ideas and drive cross-functional projects. These competencies are essential for effectively leading innovation initiatives, rapidly iterating solutions, and fostering a culture of experimentation.

What does an innovation lab do?

An innovation lab is a team or facility within an organization focused on developing new ideas, products, or processes through research, experimentation, and collaboration. They often utilize design thinking, prototyping, and emerging technologies to drive innovation and solve complex problems. Employees in innovation labs typically work in a creative environment that encourages experimentation and cross-disciplinary teamwork.

What types of projects or initiatives do innovation lab professionals typically work on?

Innovation Lab professionals engage in a variety of projects, ranging from developing new products and services to optimizing existing business processes or exploring emerging technologies. Their work often involves collaborating with colleagues across different departments, conducting user research, building prototypes, and running pilot programs to test new ideas. The environment is usually fast-paced and dynamic, with a strong emphasis on experimentation and learning from failure. Innovation Lab roles offer exposure to high-impact, strategic initiatives, making them ideal for individuals looking to shape the future direction of their organization.

What is an innovation lab?

An Innovation Lab job involves working in a team that explores new ideas, develops creative solutions, and tests emerging technologies to drive innovation within an organization. Professionals in these roles often conduct research, prototype new products or services, and collaborate across departments to implement forward-thinking initiatives. The goal is to foster a culture of experimentation and problem-solving to stay ahead in a competitive market.

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Innovation Lab jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Innovation Lab job openings:
Infographic showing various Innovation Lab job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,066 per year, or $25 per hour.

Contract Specialist (Procurement Innovation Lab)

US Department of Homeland Security

Springfield, VA

$121K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

93rd of 289 rated public sector bodies


Job description

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO), Procurement Innovation Lab (PIL).
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a PIL Coach in a non-operational contract specialist role. The mission of the Procurement Innovation Lab is to foster a culture of procurement excellence across DHS where smart risk-taking and innovation assure DHS mission success.
Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.Qualifications:APPLICANTS MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY MEET THE INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE, AND SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR AS NOTED BELOW.
INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT
This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement that must be met prior to meeting the specialized experience.
A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
-AND-
B.
Completed all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level contracting positions, including at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions with at least 1 year of that experience satisfying the specialized experience described further below in this qualifications section; AND applicants seeking to meet the training requirements for this GS-13/14 position in accordance with the OPM Contracting Series 1102, Hiring Qualifications, are required to meet the Selective Placement Factor requirement described below in this qualifications section.
Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver (waiver information provided below). NOTE: This exception only applies if you held a GS-1102 position prior to January 1, 2000. If you have not held a GS-1102 position prior to this date, this exception does not apply to you. This exception only allows you to apply for positions at the grade level you held as of January 1, 2000. In order to be promoted to a higher grade level, you must meet the Basic requirement above. You must provide an appropriate SF-50 to verify your grade level if you are a federal employee and applying for this exception.
When filling a GS-1102 vacant position for a GS-13 and above, the Senior Procurement Executive of DHS, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of paragraphs A and B of the OPM Contracting Series 1102, Hiring Qualifications if the Senior Procurement Executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver, the Senior Procurement Executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position at DHS based on a waiver, DHS may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.
NOTE: To receive consideration for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcripts for review. Your supporting documents must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-13
You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent private/public sector experience.
For this position, specialized experience is defined as:
  • Serving as a primary point of contact and subject matter expert regarding pre-award and post-award procurement actions;
  • Determining the appropriate contract methods to use; AND
  • Determining the need for special/unusual provisions, as well as terms and conditions that can be incorporated into contracts.
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-14
You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent private/public sector experience.
For this position, specialized experience is defined as:
  • Identifying, analyzing, and drawing logical conclusions regarding the soundness of proposals submitted by vendors regarding complex, unique, and specialized solicitation requirements;
  • Applying knowledge of laws and regulations relating to small businesses, labor-surplus areas, and minority business services when satisfying agency policy objectives;
  • Providing training, guidance, or serving as a lead to a contracting or procurement team; AND
  • Detecting irregularities in offers/proposals by applying knowledge of fraudulent procurement practices;
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR
This position has a Selective Placement Factor (SPF). Applicants must possess and submit the following certification:
  • FAC-C (Professional) or DoD Contracting Professional Certification
NOTE: If you do not submit one of the above certifications to demonstrate possession of the SPF or request a waiver, you will be rated ineligible.
All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.Education:This position requires specific coursework to meet the basic education requirement. You must submit an official or unofficial transcript which list courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this, you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.Employment Type: OTHER

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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency operating within the government services industry in Washington, DC, US. Established in 2003, the DHS is directly responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its main responsibilities include protecting the United States from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. Through its more than 20 component agencies including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it ensures the safety of the US through numerous programs and initiatives. The DHS upholds a core value system with the mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and values. Notably, the DHS plays a critical role in the spectral range of activities to prepare, prevent, and respond to possible threats to the US.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003