Director, Translation Programs & Capital Engagement

About The Engine
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and public benefit organization, The Engine supports Tough Tech founders working to solve the world’s most pressing challenges in climate, health, and advanced systems. We do this through powerful founder programs, access to shared infrastructure and labs, and by convening a national network of corporate partners, investors, and experts.
About The Builder Platform
In September 2023, the National Science Foundation selected The Engine to stand up The Builder Platform (TBP) to be a model for post-award support, catalyze commercialization of groundbreaking scientific and technological advancements, and spur regional economic development across two cohorts of NSF Regional Innovation Engine (NSF Engine) awardees. The Builder Platform is a human-centered network that exists to support awardee regions in capitalizing on this high-impact investment, deploying consultative, programmatic, and community support across key stakeholders in their ecosystems.
Bringing together the brightest minds in Tough Tech, The Builder Platform connects regional ecosystem builders to the capital, partners, tools and support they need to scale.
Our tailored support is fueling the growth of ecosystems supported by the NSF Regional Innovation Engines program - a flagship initiative that is driving regional innovation across the country.
The Builder Platform amplifies NSF's investments in regional innovation ecosystems, providing:
Peer learning environments,
Private sector network connections,
Full lifecycle support from early R&D to full-scale technology deployment in critical technology sectors.
The Builder Platform helps teams navigate microvalleys, reducing friction between stages, and accelerating the translation of breakthrough technologies.
Learn more about The Builder Platform and the NSF Regional Innovation Engines we serve at builderplatform.engine.xyz.
About the Role
We are seeking a relationship-driven “Navigator” who also builds programs and capital connections for NSF Engines. Based at The Engine, this role serves as Navigator for multiple Cohort 2 NSF Engines, co-leads TBP's translation programming with responsibility for curriculum development/customization and delivery, and builds the NSF Engines Network of Networks for investment and capital. Its audience is the NSF Engines: their R&D and translation leads, ecosystem builders, and the PIs and researchers in their regions. Being based at The Engine lets this role partner directly with The Engine's team and bring its programs, investor network, and expertise to the NSF Engines.
Reports to: Executive Director, The Builder Platform

Key Responsibilities

Engine Navigator Role

- Serve as the lead point of contact ("Navigator") for multiple Cohort 2 NSF Engines, actively managing relationships through regular check-ins with their CEOs and teams and facilitating essential connections.

- Identify each Engine's priority needs and match them to TBP resources, advisors, and programming.

- Deploy the Navigator practice's shared tools, playbooks, and cadence to the NSF Engines while continuously updating the tools in an ongoing fashion..

Translation Curriculum (Co-Lead)

- Co-lead TBP's translation programming, partnering with The Engine’s VP of Tech Translation/Ecosystem Development and The Builder Platform’s Sr Manager of Startup and Venture Ecosystem Development on curriculum development and delivery: building the content, adapting it to each NSF Engine's context (20 NSF Engines in the portfolio), and delivering it in-region.

- Design and deliver curriculum that helps NSF Engines and their associated institutions and personnel move research into the market. Targeted audiences include R&D and translation leads, ecosystem builders, and the PIs and researchers in their regions.

- Deliver curriculum through topical webinars, roundtables, office hours, small-group problem-solving sessions, and in-region workshops.

- Create content, templates, and tools for these audiences, bringing in pillar partners and TBP advisors as speakers and experts, and turn what works into reusable TBP resources/assets.

- Work with TBP's programming lead on calendar and format, and track outcomes (participation, follow-on engagement, Engine feedback) to improve each program.

Investor & Capital Engagement

- Own TBP's investment and capital work stream, working closely with The Engine's team, including the Director of Partnerships, to bring The Engine's investor network and investor-focused programming to the NSF Engines.

- Cultivate and manage relationships with a curated network of Seed to Series B investors (angels, institutional VCs, corporate venture, and accelerators/incubators) with a clear mandate for Tough Tech.

- Connect NSF Engines' own investor networks to The Engine's to create a network of networks.

- Collaborate with NSF and NSF Engines on a National Investing Event.

General Responsibilities

- Reporting & Metrics: Track and report key performance indicators for assigned Engines, programming, and investor engagement (e.g., investor meetings, introductions, funding rounds).

- Reporting: Contribute to Milestones reports, NSF deliverables, presentations, and other materials as needed.

- Data: Maintain accurate, up-to-date records across shared systems (Airtable, HubSpot, Circle, Monday) so the whole team can rely on a single source of truth.

- NSF Stakeholder Management: Participate in key meetings with NSF Leadership as a leading contributor, providing insight and data on the progress and needs of the Engines.

- Represent The Builder Platform at national events and conferences.

Qualifications

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- Experience: 7+ years in venture capital, startup or startup ecosystem work, technology commercialization or tech transfer, or program design, ideally in a technology-focused or mission-driven environment. Experience with Tough Tech, deep science, or university research is a significant advantage.

- Education: Bachelor's degree required. An MBA, a Master's or PhD in a technical/STEM field is a plus.

- Investor Network: A demonstrated, existing, and high-quality professional network among early-stage investors, corporate innovation leaders, and/or industry experts.

- Relationship Management: A track record of being a trusted point of contact for external partners or clients, with strong follow-through.

- Program Design: Experience designing and running programs, workshops, or curricula for researchers, founders, or ecosystem builders.

- Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to bridge the language gap between deep technical teams and business/financial stakeholders.

- Systems Fluency: Comfort working across tools like Airtable, HubSpot, Monday, and Circle (or similar platforms), with interest in using AI tools to improve team workflows.

- Soft Skills: Organized, results-oriented, a good listener, and an empathetic advocate for researchers, founders, and the ecosystems they work in.

Travel

Domestic travel: 25-30%, including some evenings and weekends as needed

Why Join The Builder Platform?
This is a chance to work at the front of a national innovation initiative from The Engine's home base. You'll advise NSF Engine leaders directly, connect their founders to investors, and build the programs that help researchers turn Tough Tech into companies in regions across the country. If you are mission-driven and want a role that combines relationship management, program building, and capital access, we encourage you to apply.