10 SBIR and defense innovation contract experts

Experience: Senior Agreements Specialist · Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)

Former Senior Agreements Specialist at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) (2023–2024), and Director of Capture at Auterion since August 2025, with the title Vice President, Programs & Operations there since August 2026. The profile describes translating breakthrough ideas into funded government programs over 25+ years in defense acquisition, including leading $5B+ in contracts across the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community and national security innovation hubs.

Experience: Vice President Of Business Development · StethX

Vice President Of Business Development at StethX since January 2020, and former Co-Founder VP of Operations Business Development at EngeniusMicro (2010–2019). The profile headline cites deep tech startups, DARPA and ARL contract capture, and inertial sensors and MEMS, and describes spearheading strategic initiatives with a multi-disciplinary deep tech team at StethX.

Experience: Corporate Director of Intellectual Property and IP-to-Product CTO, SSM · ARA

Corporate Director of Intellectual Property and IP-to-Product CTO, SSM at ARA since August 2018. The profile describes corporate, business and technical development for heavily engineered technologies including robotics, autonomy and unattended sensors, and cites multiple DoD contracts with DARPA, ONR, NAVSEA, NASA, Army and Air Force.

Experience: Principal Investigator, Program Manager, Technical Lead · Radiance Technologies

Former Principal Investigator, Program Manager, Technical Lead at Radiance Technologies (2018–2022), where the profile describes serving as PI/PM and tech lead on the DARPA/AF STITCHES program as a sub-contractor to Apogee Research, the prime contractor to DARPA/STO and the Air Force. Director, Programs at GrammaTech since August 2023.

Experience: Contracts Director · Anduril Industries

Contracts Director at Anduril Industries since August 2026, following roles there as Senior Manager, Contracts (2026) and Contracts Manager, Advanced Effects & Space (2024–2026). The profile describes eight years structuring deals across FAR, DFARS, OTA, PEP, DCS, FMS and commercial pathways, and lists Branch Chief, Space Defense Contracts at Space Systems Command (2022–2024).

Experience: SBIR Technical Assistance & Commercialization Advisor · U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command

Former SBIR Technical Assistance & Commercialization Advisor at U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (2018–2019). The profile describes a scientific program manager and commercialization strategist who specializes in R&D, federal innovation ecosystems, SBIR/STTR funding and tech transition, and lists Program Manager at Cherokee Federal (2022–2025) and Technology Transition Consultant at American Technology Solutions International Corp. (ATSI) (2020–2022).

Experience: NAVAIR SBIR Transition Manager Lead · Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)

The profile lists NAVAIR SBIR Transition Manager Lead at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) from 2006 and Technology Portfolio Manager at OSD (R&E) from 2020. Its headline describes this person as retired (US Navy/CS) and a former Director of the OSD (R&E) SBIR Transition Program, and it lists a Retired entry at HERC LLC Consulting from 2024.

Experience: Senior Vice President Strategic Planning and Program Development · Frontier Technology Inc (FTI)

Former Senior Vice President Strategic Planning and Program Development at Frontier Technology Inc (FTI) (2016–2021), and a self-employed business consultant since 2021. The profile describes an industry leader in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contracting and business development and an Air Force veteran, and lists Vice President, Contract Marketing Management Services at AECOM (2012–2016).

Experience: Air Force - SBIR STTR Senior Portfolio Manager · Peerless Technologies Corporation

Former Air Force - SBIR STTR Senior Portfolio Manager at Peerless Technologies Corporation (2014–2022), and AFWERX AFVentures Lead Strategic Investments Program Manager at AFWERX since May 2022. The profile describes AFWERX as the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force, powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory, that accelerates capability transitions by teaming with innovative technology developers.

Experience: Partner (Materiel Leader), SpaceWERX Ventures · SpaceWERX

Partner (Materiel Leader), SpaceWERX Ventures at SpaceWERX since November 2023, with a profile headline citing space innovation and program management. It also lists Space Systems Command program manager roles, including Tac SRT (Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Tracking) Program Manager (2022–2023) and Satellite Prototyping Program Manager (2019–2022).