Inventors of the Future

Posted 2 days ago

defense advanced research projects agency darpaNew Baltimore (VA)

Special Forces Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

SENIORITY

Senior

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About the role

Are you a scientific or technological savant who refuses to accept limits? Good. We've been waiting. Since 1958, DARPA has employed geniuses who say, "what if we build the internet?"—and then actually do it. Prosthetics that move with your brain? We did it. Pocket-sized GPS, stealth, autonomous vehicles—we've been quietly altering the entire trajectory of modern civilization like it's casual Friday. Now, we're looking for unconventional innovators with significant amounts of inspired brilliance to bring us their moonshot ideas and run the next wave of questionable, "are you serious" projects. We'll call you a "Program Manager," but let's be real, you're basically the CEO of your own realistic speculative fiction franchise, except the budget is real and the stakes involve national security.

What You'll Do: World-Breaking Activities Convince a room full of intellectuals, other extreme innovators, and military leaders that your unconventional idea might actually work. Build all-star teams from labs, boardrooms, and battlefields - right here on American soil. Fiscally manage and track your progress as you prove – or disprove – your program's value. Engineer "technological surprise," which is DARPA code for "make the future appear out of thin air."

What You Bring: Other Than Questionable Sleep Patterns Wildly original scientific or engineering ideas that keep you awake at night. Proof you can lead teams through chaos while maintaining your creativity and sense of humor. An entrepreneurial mindset. (You've already tried at least one thing that made your colleagues say "that's impossible" right before you did it anyway.)Why DARPA: Aside from Immortality in History Autonomy with serious government funding. (Think of startup CEO minus the part where you beg for money.)Access to people and places in science, technology, and defense that are otherwise unattainable. Intellectual freedom to take swings so big they might break reality. Pay and benefits that won't make you rich – but your resume will be sublime. If we've piqued your interest, learn more at Applicants must be U.S. citizens and able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Before you apply

Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.

Your profile is current

It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.

Two examples you can talk through

Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.

A number in mind

What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.

Your notice period

Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.

Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.