---
title: 'Director, Technology Leadership at jobs'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-technology-leadership-jobs-arlington-qnxjnaac5np1'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Director, Technology Leadership at jobs

- **Company:** jobs
- **Location:** Arlington, VA
- **Compensation:** $90k–$170k
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-17
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/schmidt-entities/df345c60-becb-43de-86d7-5d9374f5f59d

## Job description

Founded by Dr. Eric Schmidt, the Special Competitive Studies Project ([SCSP](https://www.scsp.ai/)) is a 501(c)3 private operating foundation tasked with making recommendations to strengthen America’s long-term global competitiveness for a future where artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies reshape our global strategic environment. The project is organized into three directorates - Global Partnerships, Technology Leadership, and AI Adoption. Each directorate will analyze AI and other emerging technologies, address how these technologies will reshape their field and produce detailed recommendations to ensure that America is organized to win the techno-economic competition.

The Technology Leadership Directorate is seeking a full-time Director. As Director, you will join a team focused on identifying emerging technologies, assessing global competitive landscapes, and developing policy recommendations to strengthen public-private partnerships. In addition, you will also support the implementation of several technology-focused programs, ranging from private roundtables to public summits and conferences. This role offers exposure to cutting-edge technologies, national security strategy, and the policy-making process.

SCSP offers a dynamic work environment, and each employee becomes an integral part of our team. This is an in-person position at our headquarters in Arlington, VA.

## Responsibilities

- Lead and/or manage research projects, including providing guidance and tasks to Associate Director(s) and Research Assistant(s), focused on technology-related research projects, including comparative/net assessments, geopolitical analysis, and technology capabilities evaluations.
- Develop and implement research plans on strategic technology sectors and methods to gather and analyze relevant industry and government data, including government policies, emerging technology trends, and geopolitical issues.
- Utilize analytical tools, data, and other relevant information to identify patterns, trends, and correlations in technology-related data, providing valuable insights to military and defense agencies.
- Prepare comprehensive reports, briefings, and presentations to communicate research findings and strategic recommendations to senior officials, government stakeholders, and key decision-makers.
- Provide SCSP leadership with status updates, plans of action, as well as providing situational awareness on developments affecting completion of the mission, while exercising considerable autonomy in carrying out his/her duties.
- Think creatively and independently to identify, evaluate, and solve issues connected to the research.
- Work collaboratively with other SCSP staff on joint projects, cross-cutting research issues, and in engagements with outside stakeholders.

## Minimum Qualifications

- A Bachelor's degree in a STEM field, international relations, security studies, political science, or a related discipline. A Master's or Ph.D. degree in one of the above fields is strongly preferred.
- 5 to 10 years of experience in defense research and analysis, with a proven track record of leading high-impact projects.
- Deep expertise in technology policy, geopolitical assessments, and strategy development; a specific understanding of the techno-economic competition (e.g., AI, chips, biotech) is essential.
- Strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable insights for senior leadership and policymakers.
- Strong leadership and/or team management abilities, including mentoring and developing the skills of Associate Director(s) and Research Assistant(s).
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey a variety of concepts to diverse audiences.

This is an exempt position.

## About jobs

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Schmidt Futures is a philanthropic initiative that identifies and supports talented individuals and breakthrough ideas at the intersection of technology and science, having transitioned into Schmidt Sciences in 2024.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Non‑profit, part of the Schmidt Entities family managed by Hillspire, LLC)
- **Headquarters**: New York, New York, United States
- **Founded**: 2017 (Schmidt Futures); Schmidt Sciences founded in 2024
- **Founders**: Eric Schmidt and Wendy Schmidt

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Philanthropic grantmaking, scientific research support, talent development.
- **Target customers**: Researchers, scientists, technologists, and social entrepreneurs (B2B / institutional).
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with advanced tools to support a thriving planet.

## Products & Services
- **Grantmaking & Fellowships**: Programs such as Rise (global talent initiative), the AI and Advanced Computing Institute, and the Schmidt Observatory System.
- **Research Support**: Funding for projects in AI, astrophysics, neuroscience, earth sciences, and other disciplines.
- **Talent Programs**: Initiatives like the Rise fellowship for young leaders and the AI Institute Fellow in Residence.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (privately funded by the Schmidt family).
- **Key Metric**: Total funding is undisclosed; the organization employs 135 people (‑15.6% YoY) and has funded 491 tracked awards with a field‑weighted citation impact of 3.4.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Eric and Wendy Schmidt (sole funders); partners include academic institutions and research organizations.
- **Growth Signals**: Transitioned from Schmidt Futures into Schmidt Sciences in 2024; headcount declined but remains active in high‑impact science (273 works since 2024). Open positions for space observatory (Lazuli) and AI compute infrastructure indicate expansion in aerospace and AI.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Deep philanthropic resources**: Backed by the Schmidt family’s substantial wealth, enabling long‑term, high‑risk projects.
- **Focus on frontier science**: Concentrates on AI, advanced computing, radio astronomy, and space observatories – areas with high barriers to entry.
- **Network effect**: Access to Schmidt Ocean Institute, The Schmidt Family Foundation, and other entities for cross‑disciplinary collaboration.

## Strategic Focus
- **Current priorities**: Building the next‑generation space observatory (Lazuli), expanding the AI and Advanced Computing Institute, and scaling the Rise talent program.
- **Direction for growth**: Deepening investment in AI infrastructure and scientific computing; hiring for engineering roles in spacecraft GN&C, software systems, and compute infrastructure.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Mission‑driven environment focused on solving fundamental scientific and societal challenges.
- **Remote/Hybrid/Office Policy**: Predominantly on‑site (96% of open roles); some roles in New York, Tucson, Los Angeles, and Bay Area. Hybrid/remote options are limited.
- **Notable Perks**: Competitive salaries (e.g., $140k–$270k for engineering roles), involvement in cutting‑edge space and AI projects, and the opportunity to work alongside leading scientists.
- **Engineering Culture**: Hands‑on, hardware‑focused for space missions; software and AI teams work on high‑performance computing and agent‑based AI.

## Sources
1. [LinkedIn – Schmidt Futures](https://linkedin.com/company/schmidtfutures)
2. [Jobera – Schmidt Entities Careers](https://jobera.com/employer/schmidt-entities/)
3. [Lever Careers – Schmidt Entities](https://jobs.lever.co/schmidt-entities)
4. [Scoutify – Schmidt Entities Overview](https://scoutify.com/companies/schmidt-entities/)

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