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Position Description:

The University of Louisville is seeking to hire a Technical Program Lead, Manufacturing, with a specialty in advanced manufacturing, will simplify pathways for innovative companies, and talent, to engage with the Department of War (DoW), driving faster commercialization, scalable production, and ensuring warfighter-relevant technologies reach the field at speed and scale. This role combines deep technical expertise in advanced manufacturing, engineering project management, business acumen, and relationship-building to strengthen the national defense innovation ecosystem. This is a grant funded position with funding through August 15, 2027. Continued employment is contingent upon availability of funds.

This position supports defense‑related projects funded by a U.S. Department of Defense grant. An offer of employment is contingent upon the selected candidate being eligible for and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance (Secret or higher) and any necessary export control licenses to perform the job functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide personalized 1-on-1 education, coaching, and guidance to founders, researchers, and corporate teams on product development with specialized emphasis on advanced manufacturing techniques, scalability, and production readiness.

• Perform in-depth assessments of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) to evaluate technologies, identify gaps, and support advancement toward higher maturity levels suitable for DoW adoption—particularly in advanced manufacturing contexts such as additive processes, automation integration, and supply chain resilience.

• Proactively identify, recruit, onboard, and coach high-potential manufacturing and technology companies into DIU programs, including tech showcases, demonstrations, collaborative events, and acceleration initiatives that highlight defense-relevant innovations.

• Design and lead interactive workshops, training sessions, and events covering government contracting fundamentals, proposal development, intellectual property strategies in defense contexts, and best practices for aligning commercial solutions with warfighter needs.

• Facilitate strategic connections between commercial innovators (with a focus on advanced manufacturing providers) and DoW stakeholders (program offices, end-users, and acquisition professionals) to align emerging technologies with operational requirements and build a collaborative innovation ecosystem.

• Manage and oversee engineering projects related to technology maturation, prototype development, prototyping, and engineering support to companies and innovators, ensuring timely milestones, risk mitigation, resource allocation, and cross-functional coordination.

• Track participant progress, technology maturation, program outcomes, and key metrics; collect and analyze data to generate reports and demonstrate a measurable impact on defense innovation (per relevant Statement of Work requirements).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical field; advanced degree (Master's/PhD) strongly preferred.

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing (e.g., additive manufacturing, digital engineering, automation, robotics in production, or related innovative processes), ideally in dual-use, defense, aerospace, or national security contexts.

• Proven expertise in managing engineering projects, including planning, execution, budgeting, risk management, and delivery of technical prototypes or production-scale efforts (PMP certification or equivalent experience a plus).

• Strong understanding of DoW acquisition processes, SBIR/STTR programs, Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), or similar mechanisms for engaging non-traditional vendors.

• In-depth knowledge of Technology Readiness Level (TRL), Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL), and related maturity frameworks, particularly applied to advanced manufacturing technologies.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills for workshops, coaching, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Self-starter with strong project management skills and comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

This is an in-person position.

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Compensation will be commensurate to candidate experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Louisville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University strives to provide equal employment opportunity on the basis of merit and without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or pregnancy. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veteran Readjustment Act of 1974, the University prohibits job discrimination of individuals with disabilities, Vietnam era veterans, qualified special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans. The University acknowledges its obligations to ensure affirmative steps are taken to ensure equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of the University that no employee or applicant for employment be subject to unlawful discrimination in terms of recruitment, hiring, promotion, contract, contract renewal, tenure, compensation, benefits, and/or working conditions. No employee or applicant for employment is required to endorse or condemn a specific ideology, political viewpoint, or social viewpoint to be eligible for hiring, contract renewal, tenure, or promotion.

Consistent with applicable law, demographic information is collected for aggregate reporting requirements. Demographic information provided through this application is not available to hiring managers/committees and is not considered in hiring or employment decisions.

Assistance and Accommodations

Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 2315 South First Street Walk, Room 02C - Louisville, Kentucky 40292.

If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone 502-852-6258.