1

Innovation Program Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Program Manager, Navy & Defense Innovation

Arlington, VA · On-site

$92K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you're passionate about driving the success of groundbreaking Navy innovation programs - we'd love to connect! Who we are: * FedTech is a group of entrepreneurially minded people on a mission to ...

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

It reports to Director, Program Innovation and is only available for candidates with the right to work in the US. Responsibilities: * Support the creationand executionof IJM'sprograminnovation ...

Sr Manager of Programs

Keller, TX · On-site

$183K - $252K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

May lead an innovation program directly. Programs have high complexity, risk, and ambiguity. Responsibilities: Directly manage the team of Program Managers that lead major technological innovations ...

AI Innovation Advisor

Houston, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The AI Advisor sits within the Innovation Program AI Advisory Services team, partnering with directors, engineers, data scientists and project managers to deliver transformative outcomes for practice ...

Sr Manager of Programs

Keller, TX · On-site

$183K - $252K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

May lead an innovation program directly. Programs have high complexity, risk, and ambiguity. Responsibilities: • Directly manage the team of Program Managers that lead major technological ...

Sr Manager of Programs

Hickory, NC · On-site

$183K - $252K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

May lead an innovation program directly. Programs have high complexity, risk, and ambiguity. Responsibilities: Directly manage the team of Program Managers that lead major technological innovations ...

AI Innovation Advisor

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The AI Advisor sits within the Innovation Program AI Advisory Services team, partnering with directors, engineers, data scientists and project managers to deliver transformative outcomes for practice ...

Senior Manager, Datacenter Innovation

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160 - $190/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Innovation program ideates, evaluates, demonstrates, and deploys at‑scale first‑of‑a‑kind technologies. The E&I team is seeking a Senior Manager to lead the ideation, evaluation ...

Sr Manager of Programs

Keller, TX · On-site

$183K - $252K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

May lead an innovation program directly. Programs have high complexity, risk, and ambiguity. Responsibilities: • Directly manage the team of Program Managers that lead major technological ...

AI Innovation Advisor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The AI Advisor sits within the Innovation Program AI Advisory Services team, partnering with directors, engineers, data scientists and project managers to deliver transformative outcomes for practice ...

Showing results 41-60

Innovation Program information

See salary details

$21.5K

$45.7K

$63K

How much do innovation program jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation program in the United States is $45,721.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $47,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an innovation program?

An Innovation Program is a structured initiative within an organization designed to foster creativity, develop new ideas, and drive business growth through innovative solutions. These programs often include activities like idea generation workshops, hackathons, mentorship, and funding for promising projects. The goal is to encourage employees or participants to think outside the box and contribute to the organization's long-term success by implementing new technologies, products, or processes.

What are the typical responsibilities of an innovation program manager?

An Innovation Program Manager typically oversees the entire lifecycle of innovation projects, from idea generation to implementation. Daily tasks often include coordinating cross-functional teams, facilitating brainstorming sessions, managing project timelines, and tracking progress on key initiatives. They also engage with stakeholders to understand business needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Collaboration and adaptability are essential, as the role often requires managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an innovation program manager?

To thrive as an Innovation Program Manager, you need expertise in project management, strategic planning, and a background in business or technology, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with innovation frameworks, agile methodologies, and tools like project management software (e.g., Jira, Trello) is commonly required. Strong leadership, creative problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies enable effective oversight of innovation initiatives, fostering impactful solutions and driving organizational growth.

What is the difference between Innovation Program vs Innovation Manager?

AspectInnovation ProgramInnovation Manager
Role FocusDevelops and manages innovation initiatives and projectsLeads and oversees innovation teams and strategies
Required SkillsProject management, creativity, strategic thinkingLeadership, communication, innovation process expertise
Work EnvironmentCross-functional teams, project-basedManagement teams, strategic planning sessions
Industry UsageUsed across industries to implement innovation initiativesCommonly found in organizations with dedicated innovation departments

While both roles focus on fostering innovation, the Innovation Program manages specific projects and initiatives, whereas the Innovation Manager leads teams and strategic efforts to drive innovation across the organization.

What are careers in innovation program?

Careers in innovation programs involve developing and implementing new ideas, products, or processes within organizations. Roles may include innovation manager, product developer, or R&D specialist, often requiring skills in creativity, project management, and familiarity with emerging technologies. These positions typically focus on fostering growth and competitive advantage through continuous improvement.
More about Innovation Program jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Innovation Program jobs?

The most popular types of Innovation Program jobs are:

Infographic showing various Innovation Program job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,721 per year, or $22 per hour.

Program Manager, Navy & Defense Innovation

FedTech

Arlington, VA • On-site

$92K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Job Description
If you're passionate about driving the success of groundbreaking Navy innovation programs - we'd love to connect!
Who we are:
  • FedTech is a group of entrepreneurially minded people on a mission to unlock the benefits of technology.
  • We believe in the value of deep tech and its positive impact on the world, aspiring to democratize access to it for entrepreneurs and professionals around the world.
  • We are venture builders who thrive at the intersection of US entrepreneurship, breakthrough technologies, and mission-driven organizations.
  • Since 2015, we have supported over 1,000 companies that have collectively raised more than $5B in funding, while also partnering with hundreds of corporates, government, and university clients.

What you'll do:
You will lead the design, execution, and growth of accelerator programs that support technology commercialization, venture creation, and strategic partnerships across the Navy and broader defense ecosystem. Ideal candidate would bring a strong program management background, thrive in fast-paced environments, and can build trusted relationships across government, industry, startups, and research organizations. This position requires a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to manage complex, multi-phase initiatives from strategy through execution.
Typical functions include:
  • Lead and execute multi-phase accelerator and commercialization programs supporting Navy and dual-use innovation sponsors.
  • Source, evaluate, and transition emerging technologies from federal labs, research institutions, startups, and international partners into commercialization and mission-driven opportunities.
  • Build and manage relationships with stakeholders across Navy commands, industry, venture, and innovation ecosystems to align program outcomes with fleet and mission priorities.
  • Advise participating startups and technology teams on government funding pathways, procurement processes, small business programs, and commercialization strategies.
  • Plan and host demo days, technology showcases, pitch competitions, testing events, and stakeholder engagements that connect ventures with end-users, acquisition leaders, and technical evaluators.
  • Track and communicate program performance metrics, including venture progress, commercialization milestones, stakeholder engagement, and ROI to sponsors and leadership teams.
  • Support operational execution through management of timelines, deliverables, budgets, reporting, and cross-functional coordination.
  • Represent FedTech at industry events, government forums, conferences, and partner engagements to strengthen organizational visibility and business development efforts.
  • Contribute to evolving organizational priorities by supporting new initiatives, strategic projects, and process improvements as needed

Successful candidates will have the following qualifications:
  • 5+ years of experience supporting Navy innovation, technology commercialization, venture programs, or entrepreneurship initiatives, particularly within or alongside government organizations.
    • Direct experience working with or within the US Navy is required, with a working understanding of Navy acquisition, innovation, and technology transition pathways.
  • Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively across government, startups, industry, and research communities.
  • Demonstrated program or project management experience overseeing complex initiatives, coordinating multiple workstreams, and managing events or deliverables in fast-paced environments.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to facilitate meetings and convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Analytical and detail-oriented, with experience using data and reporting to support decision-making and program success.
  • Comfortable using collaboration, productivity, and AI-enabled tools such as Google Workspace, Claude, Airtable, Slack, Beautiful.ai, and similar platforms.
  • Highly organized, adaptable, and self-driven, with an entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to take ownership in a dynamic environment.

Our Values:
  • Boldness: We have the fortitude to forge new paths and push beyond our comfort
  • Unity: We treat our clients, team members and partners as we would like to be treated - we are one united team
  • Introspection: We recognize introspection is the necessary ingredient in which self-improvement flourishes
  • Leadership: We embrace servant leadership - putting the interests of client, team partners and partners first
  • Decisiveness: We have a strong bias towards action

Compensation:
  • Base salary range: $92-110k
    • The salary range listed for this position is based on market data and internal compensation structure. The final compensation package will be determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills and education. This range is not a guarantee of compensation and offers may fall outside this range in exceptional cases.
  • In addition to the base salary, compensation includes performance-based bonus (OTE)
  • A competitive benefits package including 401K with employer match, health/dental/vision plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield, accrued PTO, professional development funds, employer paid disability insurance, parental leave, transportation and wellness reimbursements, amongst others.

Location:
  • Open to candidates in Arlington (VA) and Austin (TX)
  • Hybrid in Arlington & Austin

Travel: 10-20% based on business needs