Pacific Impact Zone · 5 hours ago
Ecosystem Engagement Lead (EEL)
Honolulu, HI
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior LevelPacific Impact Zone is seeking an Ecosystem Engagement Lead (EEL) to build and manage the defense innovation ecosystem in support of the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub in Hawai‘i. The role involves engaging with various stakeholders, translating operational needs into innovation opportunities, and ensuring alignment with mission requirements.
Defense & Space
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Serve as a trusted engagement lead with DoW mission partners, including combatant command staff, service components, program managers, and requirements owners
Translate operational challenges and priority gaps into clear innovation opportunities and engagement pathways
Build and maintain sustained relationships across government, industry, academia, and venture ecosystems
Represent the OnRamp Hub in senior-level meetings, working groups, and ecosystem forums
Guide companies through mission-relevant engagement aligned with operational needs and transition pathways
Support readiness for experimentation, demonstrations, exercises, and pilot activities
Coordinate with transition stakeholders to ensure ecosystem activity aligns with mission demand signals
Lead or support execution of capability showcases, summits, challenges, and demonstrations
Design engagements to surface decision-makers, create mission pull, and advance transition outcomes
Capture insights, feedback, and lessons learned to refine engagement strategy
Support positioning Hawai‘i as a key mission-relevant innovation node for the Indo-Pacific
Identify gaps in the ecosystem and recommend partnership or capability-building actions
Contribute to long-term ecosystem strategy in coordination with leadership
Provide leadership with situational awareness on ecosystem dynamics and mission demand
Contribute to briefings, reports, and executive-level updates
Collaborate closely with leadership and team staff to align execution with strategy
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree required, or equivalent combination of education and operational experience
Demonstrated experience in defense, national security, government-adjacent innovation, or mission-driven programs
Proven ability to engage credibly with senior government, military, and industry stakeholders
Experience translating operational needs into actionable innovation or technology pathways
Strong understanding of Department of War structure, mission and terminology
Strong strategic relationship-building skills
Operational fluency and mission-oriented mindset
High judgment, discretion, and professional credibility
Ability to synthesize complex environments into actionable pathways
Comfortable working independently in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
Secret Clearance
Preferred
Experience working with Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) or service innovation organizations
Familiarity with DoD experimentation, acquisition, or operational planning processes
Background in ecosystem development, dual-use technology, or defense innovation programs
Military or Department of War civilian background
Benefits
Health/Dental/Vision insurance coverage
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
Retirement savings plan with employer match
Paid time off and paid holidays
Company
Pacific Impact Zone
The Pacific Impact Zone is on a mission to scale Hawaii's Defense economy by bringing contract vehicles and critical skills training to the islands.
Founded in 2021
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Kevin M.
CEO
Company data provided by crunchbase