Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically accomplished Senior Natural Sciences & Biomanufacturing Program Manager to lead and support the development of advanced biomanufacturing technologies addressing critical national security and Department of War priorities. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership, program management, and strategic direction supporting initiatives focused on securing defense-critical material supply chains through advanced biomanufacturing, expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities, and improving supply chain resilience for the Defense Industrial Base.

This position requires a collaborative leader capable of managing multidisciplinary technical programs while working closely with government agencies, industry partners, academic institutions, and cross-functional engineering teams. The Program Manager will help develop and execute biomanufacturing strategies that address Department of War critical material shortages, mature innovative manufacturing technologies, and transition advanced capabilities from research through operational implementation to improve national defense readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership and Program Management:

o Lead the planning, execution, and management of advanced biomanufacturing, biotechnology, natural sciences, and engineering programs supporting Department of War priorities.

o Develop and execute technical strategies focused on using advanced biomanufacturing to solve critical material shortages for national defense while strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities.

o Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams including scientists, engineers, manufacturing specialists, supply chain experts, and external research organizations.

o Develop technical roadmaps supporting innovative manufacturing capabilities that strengthen domestic production capacity, improve industrial resilience, and reduce vulnerabilities across defense-critical material supply chains.

o Coordinate invoicing, milestone completion, technical reporting, and government billing activities while supporting earned value management (EVM) principles and performance tracking.

o Coordinate program execution across government, industry, academic, and commercial partners while ensuring alignment with customer objectives, technical milestones, and program deliverables.

o Lead the execution of Department of Was Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) funded programs, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, execution timelines, technical objectives, and program deliverables.

o Support technology transition activities from laboratory research through pilot production, manufacturing scale-up, and operational deployment.

Research, Technology Development, and Innovation:

o Evaluate emerging biotechnology, industrial biology, advanced manufacturing, natural sciences, and engineering technologies for potential defense applications.

o Lead research initiatives focused on biomanufacturing innovations that address defense-critical material vulnerabilities while improving supply chain resilience and manufacturing readiness.

o Identify opportunities to develop sustainable manufacturing approaches capable of producing strategic materials, specialty chemicals, biomaterials, and other defense-relevant products essential to national security.

o Conduct technical assessments, feasibility studies, and research initiatives supporting future manufacturing capabilities and emerging defense requirements.

o Collaborate with subject matter experts to develop innovative technical solutions addressing Department of War capability gaps.

o Support intellectual property development, technology maturation, manufacturing readiness, and commercialization planning where appropriate.

Program Execution and Customer Engagement:

o Serve as the primary technical interface with Department of War customers, industry partners, universities, national laboratories, Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MII), and consortium organizations.

o Coordinate Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), technical working groups, program reviews, and customer engagements with Government Program Managers, Contracting Officers, and military technical points of contacts.

o Prepare technical reports, executive briefings, white papers, proposals, and program documentation supporting customer requirements and strategic growth.

o Serve as the primary operational liaison between Templar's technical teams and Department of War organizations, coordinating technical activities across government agencies, industry partners, academic institutions, and commercial biomanufacturing organizations.

o Monitor technical performance, schedules, budgets, risks, and program milestones while ensuring successful execution of program objectives.

o Support execution of Department of War programs utilizing Other Transaction Authority (OTA), Cooperative Agreements, cost-reimbursable contracts, and other research and development acquisition vehicles.

o Support proposal development and strategic growth initiatives focused on expanding Templar's biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and natural sciences portfolio.

Strategic Growth and Technology Transition:

o Identify emerging opportunities supporting defense industrial base modernization, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, critical material development, and supply chain resilience.

o Develop partnerships with government agencies, academia, commercial industry, OSW Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, and innovation organizations to accelerate technology development and transition.

o Develop strategies supporting biomanufacturing of critical materials essential for defense readiness, improving domestic manufacturing capacity and reducing reliance on vulnerable foreign supply chains.

o Support manufacturing readiness planning, technology transition strategies, commercialization pathways, and defense acquisition activities for emerging technologies.

o Assist in building Templar's technical capabilities across biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, engineering, defense-critical materials, and natural sciences.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D., M.S., or equivalent experience in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Plant Biology, Natural Sciences, Materials Science, or a closely related technical discipline.
• 8–10 years of experience leading biotechnology, biomanufacturing, engineering, agricultural science, industrial biology, advanced manufacturing, or applied research programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary technical programs from concept development through technology transition.
• Strong understanding of biotechnology, industrial bioprocesses, manufacturing scale-up, research and development, technology maturation, and domestic manufacturing strategies supporting critical material production.
• Experience developing innovative technical approaches that improve manufacturing resilience, supply chain security, or defense industrial capabilities.
• Experience collaborating with government agencies, industry, universities, OSW Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, and research organizations.
• Experience preparing technical reports, proposals, executive briefings, and customer presentations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and executive audiences.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple technical programs simultaneously while maintaining schedule and budget objectives.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supporting Department of War biotechnology, bioindustrial manufacturing, defense industrial base, advanced manufacturing, or technology transition initiatives.
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs), Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), and defense acquisition processes.
• Experience supporting programs involving critical materials, industrial biotechnology, sustainable manufacturing, strategic materials, supply chain resilience, or advanced manufacturing ecosystems.
• Experience supporting SBIR/STTR, Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype efforts, or FAR-based contracts.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships across government, academia, industry, OSW Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, and nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated experience transitioning innovative technologies from research through commercialization or operational implementation.
• Active Security Clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Templar is committed to advancing innovative manufacturing solutions that strengthen the Nation's defense industrial base through scientific innovation, engineering excellence, and rapid technology transition. Our team develops advanced biomanufacturing and manufacturing technologies that secure defense-critical supply chains, improve domestic production capabilities, reduce critical material vulnerabilities, and deliver mission-critical solutions supporting the Department of War. We seek individuals who thrive in collaborative environments, embrace technical innovation, and are passionate about solving complex national security challenges.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the Senior Natural Sciences & Biomanufacturing Program Manager position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it.

Pay: $165,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Richmond, IN 47374