Pacific Impact Zone
Commercial Industry Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Defense Innovation Small/Med B
Pacific Impact Zone, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 96814
Commercial Industry Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Defense Innovation Small/Med Business
1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Pacific Impact Zone (PIZ) is seeking a senior Commercial Industry SME to join the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Hawai‘i. This role is designed for someone who has lived the founder journey, building, fundraising, and scaling startups and now wants to help the next generation of dual-use innovators navigate the complex path of working with the Department of Defense (DoD). As part of the Hub’s dedicated team, you’ll serve as the primary industry-facing advisor to startups and scale-ups entering the defense innovation pipeline. You’ll combine practical startup knowledge with insights into DoD acquisition pathways to ensure innovators are prepared for transition, not just more R&D cycles. Key Responsibilities
Serve as a coach and mentor for dual-use startups, guiding them through business model challenges, capital raising, and government contracting hurdles. Translate the realities of venture-backed and founder-led growth into actionable advice for companies engaging DoD for the first time. Provide structured coaching, readiness assessments, and transition strategy support aligned with DIU and DoD pathways. Contribute to the design and delivery of OnRamp Hub programming (workshops, toolkits, playbooks). Build trust with local and national stakeholders by sharing lived startup experience and lessons learned. Support DIU and mission partner engagements by preparing startups for technology transition opportunities. Serve as an industry voice inside the Hub, ensuring programming reflects the realities of commercialization and venture building. Qualifications
Required: 10+ years of experience in startups, scale-ups, or venture-backed companies, with at least one leadership role (founder, co-founder, C‑suite, or equivalent). Demonstrated success in raising capital, building teams, and/or transitioning a technology to market. Strong communication and coaching skills with demonstrated ability to mentor diverse founders and teams. Must be based in Hawai‘i or willing to relocate. Preferred: Experience engaging with DoD innovation pathways (e.g., DIU, SBIR/STTR, OTAs, service labs, or programs of record). Network connections across venture capital, accelerators, or defense innovation communities. Familiarity with dual-use commercialization challenges (Valley of Death, acquisition timelines, compliance). Why Join Us
Working at the OnRamp Hub is more than a job — it’s a mission. We are building Hawai‘i’s front door for defense innovation, helping startups and DoD connect in ways that deliver real capability to the warfighter. This role is ideal for a seasoned entrepreneur who wants to give back, leverage their experience, and be part of a national movement to strengthen defense innovation. Tips: Provide a summary of the role, what success in the position looks like, and how this role fits into the organization overall. Seniority Level
Mid‑Senior level Employment Type
Full‑time Job Function
Management and Manufacturing Industries
Defense and Space Manufacturing Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Pacific Impact Zone by 2x
#J-18808-Ljbffr
1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Pacific Impact Zone (PIZ) is seeking a senior Commercial Industry SME to join the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Hawai‘i. This role is designed for someone who has lived the founder journey, building, fundraising, and scaling startups and now wants to help the next generation of dual-use innovators navigate the complex path of working with the Department of Defense (DoD). As part of the Hub’s dedicated team, you’ll serve as the primary industry-facing advisor to startups and scale-ups entering the defense innovation pipeline. You’ll combine practical startup knowledge with insights into DoD acquisition pathways to ensure innovators are prepared for transition, not just more R&D cycles. Key Responsibilities
Serve as a coach and mentor for dual-use startups, guiding them through business model challenges, capital raising, and government contracting hurdles. Translate the realities of venture-backed and founder-led growth into actionable advice for companies engaging DoD for the first time. Provide structured coaching, readiness assessments, and transition strategy support aligned with DIU and DoD pathways. Contribute to the design and delivery of OnRamp Hub programming (workshops, toolkits, playbooks). Build trust with local and national stakeholders by sharing lived startup experience and lessons learned. Support DIU and mission partner engagements by preparing startups for technology transition opportunities. Serve as an industry voice inside the Hub, ensuring programming reflects the realities of commercialization and venture building. Qualifications
Required: 10+ years of experience in startups, scale-ups, or venture-backed companies, with at least one leadership role (founder, co-founder, C‑suite, or equivalent). Demonstrated success in raising capital, building teams, and/or transitioning a technology to market. Strong communication and coaching skills with demonstrated ability to mentor diverse founders and teams. Must be based in Hawai‘i or willing to relocate. Preferred: Experience engaging with DoD innovation pathways (e.g., DIU, SBIR/STTR, OTAs, service labs, or programs of record). Network connections across venture capital, accelerators, or defense innovation communities. Familiarity with dual-use commercialization challenges (Valley of Death, acquisition timelines, compliance). Why Join Us
Working at the OnRamp Hub is more than a job — it’s a mission. We are building Hawai‘i’s front door for defense innovation, helping startups and DoD connect in ways that deliver real capability to the warfighter. This role is ideal for a seasoned entrepreneur who wants to give back, leverage their experience, and be part of a national movement to strengthen defense innovation. Tips: Provide a summary of the role, what success in the position looks like, and how this role fits into the organization overall. Seniority Level
Mid‑Senior level Employment Type
Full‑time Job Function
Management and Manufacturing Industries
Defense and Space Manufacturing Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Pacific Impact Zone by 2x
#J-18808-Ljbffr