Technical Program Manager

Newlab is on a mission to help startup founders commercialize critical technology faster. Our venture platform is scaling globally, launching hubs in strategic regions to drive impact across core industrial sectors.

We’re looking for a Technical Program Manager who can run complex technical & strategic programs while maintaining utmost quality, and strong attention to detail - juggling timelines, budgets, and the occasional curveball with grace. You’ll be the secret sauce behind programs that connect startups with key industry and government partners to build and deliver startup pilots that prove out critical technologies. 

You'll build and sustain relationships with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders; including startup founders, regulators, investors, and experts to work collaboratively and design and deliver complex initiatives. You will play the role of researcher, strategist, relationship whisperer, and technical translator: leading in-depth interviews, co-design workshops, and concept development, as needed. 

The ideal candidate will have an industrial engineering background, strong project management skills and the ability to leverage a background in materials science and/or engineering to bridge the gap between technical research and innovation to inform strategic decisions and pilot designs. A strong technical background in energy, materials, mobility, and/or relevant areas is a plus.

This will be an in-person, non-remote role.  

Role & Responsibilities:

Program Management: 

• Run the show. Lead day-to-day execution of Newlab commercialization programs—from aligning on client goals and managing startup participants, to developing program plans with key milestones, establishing R&Rs, client management and client reporting. 

• Build and maintain relationships with a diverse set of external stakeholders including Newlab partners, entrepreneurs, academics, and industry experts. 
• Collaborate within and across Newlab strategy, membership, marketing, operations and finance teams to deliver on an array of SOWs.
• Translate complexity into clarity. Build crystal-clear program plans with milestones, deliverables, roles/responsibilities, and all the behind-the-scenes infrastructure (CRM, decks, dashboards, the works).
• Support program leadership to shape what comes next - support creating and developing new programs with new and returning clients.

Ecosystem Expertise: 

• Keep a pulse on industry and startup trends and engage within relevant ecosystems - what’s being built, where are funds flowing, what are industry leaders and regulators suddenly interested in? 
• Identify technology signals from major industry players and venture capital; tracking who’s-investing-in-who, company and sector strategic shifts, and how these shifts relate to Newlab’s strategy.
• Turn insight into action. Funnel what you learn into smarter programs, stronger partnerships, and higher caliber programs for our founders and partners. 

Technical / Industrial Expertise

• Source and evaluate novel technologies, informing strategic decisions and pilot designs as well as supporting research (conducting interviews, reviewing startups, investment trends, market reports etc). Specifically, able to:
• source and qualify critical technology startups through assessing the team, the technology, and the market opportunity;
• understand both scientific and engineering challenges within specific technical categories, sectors, or value chains (i.e. “explore both the technical and commercial risks within industrial use cases”)
• multi-disciplinary understanding of technology risks in energy systems, mobility systems, and/or material science

• Balance technical insight with strategic vision. Ability to ensure a holistic approach to problem-solving that integrates technical feasibility with strategic design, and analyze a startup's offerings and fit for Newlab and its industry members.
• Know how to ask the right questions, pull in the right people, and pressure-test the right assumption - leveraging data, AI, and Newlab’s network to chart a path through ambiguity. 
• Bring that systems-level thinking: where are the bottlenecks, what are the real risks, how can we help startup founders de-risk and scale up?

Skills & Experience

• Strong technical background in chemical / industrial engineering 
• 3+ years of professional experience 
• Experience with design-centered innovation, innovation consulting, and/or new technology integration
• Experience working in critical technology startup environment (preferred)
• Some travel might be required

Compensation & Benefits: 

• We expect this role's base salary to be $100,000 - $125,000 commensurate with a candidate's experience and work location.
• Eligible for bonus