Job Description
Defense Innovation Unit
Our Mission:
- Accelerate DoW adoption of commercial technology
- Transform military capacity and capability
- Strengthen the national security innovation base
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is a Department of War (DoW) entity that accelerates the adoption of commercial technology to strengthen national security. DIU partners with Military Departments, Combatant Commands, and component organizations to rapidly prototype and deliver commercial solutions that address military challenges across the joint force. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with additional offices in Boston, MA; Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; and the Pentagon, DIU accesses leading technology companies across the country on behalf of our DoD partners and lowers barriers to entry into the defense sector.
DIU relies on agile acquisition processes and Other Transaction (OT) authority under 10 U.S.C. 2371b to effectively meet these needs. In 2016, DIU pioneered and launched the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) contracting process in partnership with Army Contracting Command - New Jersey. The CSO process is designed to competitively award prototype OT agreements on commercial terms at commercial speeds, focusing on outcomes over requirements and incentivizing new companies to do business with the Department. If a prototype agreement is successfully completed, OT authority allows for a noncompetitive, follow-on production OT agreement. Combined, the CSO process and OT authority enable DIU to test, deliver, and scale advanced commercial solutions to national security problems.
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) supports the Department of Defense’s efforts to create and foster commercial partnerships within multiple innovation ecosystems across the United States. It is staffed by active-duty and reserve personnel, government civilians and contracted consultants.
DIU is headquartered in Mountain View, CA with satellite offices in Cambridge, MA, Washington DC, Chicago, IL and Austin, TX. Navy Reservists will be attached to NOSC DC for administration and can provide support from any of the DIU offices.
*This is not an opening to a specific billet, rather a means of indicating your interest in serving in a part time IMA capacity at DIU. DIU Navy Part-Time SELRES Reservist billets are OSD and Navy coded officer billets, for officers who are currently affiliated (or are in the process of affiliating) with the Navy Reserve as a Selected Reservist (SELRES). The service lead or reserve lead will reach out when we have billet openings and your profile is a match for our current needs.
Responsibilities
Navy SELRES provide support to DIU's Portfolio and Engagement teams based on their military and civilian expertise. Unlike other reserve commands, a reservist's civilian expertise plays a larger role for most of the work they support than their military background.
The type of support provided will vary dependent on active projects and programs in progress on the active side. Reservists will provide business operations and professional services in support of the Directors and Program Managers. They may act as an interface between the DOD, entrepreneurs, start-up firms, and commercial technology companies to increase DOD access to leading edge commercial technologies, processes and technical talent.
Types of Project Support
- Conducts market research and engages with commercial sector to support project curation and execution (as needed)
- Assists on contracting activities and documents in support of the directors and program/project managers
Types of Content Creation Support
- Technical writing
- Drafting, creating and editing presentations, reports, summaries and minutes of meetings, white papers
- Branding and storytelling materials
The ideal candidate should have:
- Capacity to thrive in a culture where self-motivation is necessary, and communication is paramount. Ability to juggle numerous tasks and competing priorities
- Understand the expectations of supervisors/stakeholders/teammates and develop strong working relationships to achieve shared goals. Build strong relationships with both external candidates and internal business partners. Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
- Strong written and oral communication skills; the ability to present complex matters clearly and simply; effective organizational skills; the ability to be proactive, take initiative and follow through
- Demonstrated ability to gather and analyze a variety of data points (qualitative and quantitative) and whittle that information down to the most salient insights for the Portfolio’s business needs
- Ability to distill and communicate highly complex issues for a technical and at times a non-technical audience
- Proficient computer skills, Google Suite a plus
- High level of responsibility, ownership and accountability
- Able to effectively debate and use data as the basis of your argument
- Passion for great DoD-Silicon Valley customer experiences