The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.
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Serves on US European Command (USEUCOM) Staff as Deputy Chief Technology Officer (Deputy CTO), principal technical expert, industry liaison, and operational lead for emerging technology. As the CTO is dual‑hatted as Director, ECJ8 (Requirements & Resource Integration Directorate), the Deputy CTO runs the day‑to‑day technology portfolio, driving modernization, accelerating adoption, and linking capability development with the commercial innovation ecosystem. This is an IPA (Intergovernmental Personnel Act) position.
Primary duties:
Capability Gap Analysis & Advocacy
Turns operational deficits into actionable technology requirements. Synthesizes analysis, wargames, and intelligence to identify critical joint operational problems. Drafts Key Operational Problems as clear, unclassified demand signals for industry, innovation cells, and partners. Manages technology inputs to the Integrated Priority List, ensuring requirements are documented, technically sound, and prioritized.
Operational Acceleration, Experimentation, and Prototyping
Leads transition of emerging technologies from concept to operational use. Aligns experimentation and prototyping with USEUCOM Key Operational Problems. Oversees evaluation and transition of prototypes to scalable fielded solutions, coordinating with components using unmanned systems, advanced sensors, and COTS platforms. Works with cyber defense and red teams to assess security and balance mission risk.
Resource Synchronization and Industry Liaison
Bridges USEUCOM needs and external providers. Serves as primary liaison to commercial tech, the defense industrial base, and venture capital. Works with Defense Innovation Unit (DIU(, the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), resource sponsors, and non‑traditional funding to secure resources and transition paths. Uses Other Transactional Authority (OTA), Middle Tier of Acquisition, SBIR/STTR, and similar mechanisms to accelerate commercially derived solutions and align investments with USEUCOM priorities.
Strategic Technology Advisement and Vision
Advises senior leaders on emerging technology, market trends, and risk. Aligns tech integration with the Chief Data and AI Officer and the ECJ6 (Communications Officer) so architectures (e.g., JADC2, zero‑trust) support solutions. Coordinates with CTOs across other Combatant Commands and the Joint Staff to share lessons and scale successful technologies across the joint force.
The Research Program Manager directs and oversees a portfolio of research projects that includes internal and external sponsor and stakeholder engagement. The Research Program Manager is responsible both for the oversight of technical execution, schedule, and budget of assigned portfolios. Specifically, the Research Program Manager develops the planning of programs and future projects through routine interactions with stakeholders. The Research Program Manager develops trusted relationships with sponsors and also serves in an advisory capacity to critical stakeholders defining the technical direction of projects and technical thrusts.
Capability Gap Analysis & Advocacy
- Turns operational deficits into actionable technology requirements
- Synthesizes analysis, wargames, and intelligence to identify critical joint operational problems
- Drafts Key Operational Problems as clear, unclassified demand signals for industry, innovation cells, and partners
- Manages technology inputs to the Integrated Priority List, ensuring requirements are documented, technically sound, and prioritized
Operational Acceleration, Experimentation, and Prototyping
- Leads transition of emerging technologies from concept to operational use
- Aligns experimentation and prototyping with USEUCOM Key Operational Problems
- Oversees evaluation and transition of prototypes to scalable fielded solutions, coordinating with components using unmanned systems, advanced sensors, and COTS platforms
- Works with cyber defense and red teams to assess security and balance mission risk
Resource Synchronization and Industry Liaison
- Bridges USEUCOM needs and external providers
- Serves as primary liaison to commercial tech, the defense industrial base, and venture capital
- Works with Defense Innovation Unit (DIU(, the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), resource sponsors, and non‑traditional funding to secure resources and transition paths
- Uses Other Transactional Authority (OTA), Middle Tier of Acquisition, SBIR/STTR, and similar mechanisms to accelerate commercially derived solutions and align investments with USEUCOM priorities
Strategic Technology Advisement and Vision
- Advises senior leaders on emerging technology, market trends, and risk
- Aligns tech integration with the Chief Data and AI Officer and the ECJ6 (Communications Officer) so architectures (e.g., JADC2, zero‑trust) support solutions
- Coordinates with CTOs across other Combatant Commands and the Joint Staff to share lessons and scale successful technologies across the joint force
This position requires a unique blend of commercial technology acumen and defense adaptability.
Core Industry & Ecosystem Understanding (Day-One Requirements)
Ecosystem Architect & Trusted Curator
- Extensive experience operating within commercial technology ecosystems (venture capital, defense-tech startups, or commercial R&D)
- Proven ability to build high-trust networks and act as a "trusted filter" to protect both the command's focus and the commercial sector's time
Operational Translation & Problem Declassification:
- Demonstrated capability to abstract complex, classified military operational concepts and translate them into unclassified, commercially actionable technical problem statements without losing mission relevance
Emerging Technology Horizon Scanning
- Exceptional technical breadth across emerging technologies with a focus on their immediate operational utility rather than theoretical research
Entrepreneurial Friction Reduction
- A proven track record of navigating complex, highly regulated legacy organizations to build coalitions, bypass administrative bottlenecks, and accelerate project delivery
- Active TS/SCI Clearance
Department of War (DoW) Institutional Integration (Trainable / Supported by J8 (Requirements & Resource Integration Directorate Staff)Joint Operations & Theater Awareness
General familiarity with the strategic environment of the European Area of Responsibility (AOR)
Resource & Requirements Familiarity
- Basic understanding of how the DoW funds and prioritizes capabilities (such as the Integrated Priority List (IPL) or Program Objective Memorandum (POM) cycle)
- Must be capable of partnering with J8 staff officers who will handle the formal documentation and processing of technical solutions
Joint Staff Liaison
- Ability to communicate technical risk and opportunities to senior Flag/General Officers, translating highly complex technical concepts into clear military strategy
10% - 25% travel
Level 6
This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook
- 20 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or National Security Related Fields
- 18 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or National Security Related Fields
- 15 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or National Security Related Fields
Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.
Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.
Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.
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Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
