Head of Emerging Technologies

This is a U.S. based position. All of the programs we support require U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment. All work must be conducted within the continental U.S.

Who we are:

Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional small business with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development, with headquarters in Reston, VA. Our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.

We’re looking for an experienced Head of Emerging Technologiesto support our customers and join our passionate team of high-impact problem solvers.

About the role:

At Raft, the Head of Emerging Technologies is at the forefront of innovation, driving our mission to redefine the landscape of defense technology. This pivotal role is about more than just keeping up with the latest tech trends; it's about identifying, evaluating, and integrating groundbreaking technologies that will shape the future of our operations and products. If you have a passion for technology, a visionary mindset, and a knack for leading dynamic teams towards the new frontiers of innovation, we want you on our team.

What we are looking for:

• Emerging Tech Scout: Identify and monitor cutting-edge technologies and trends that have the potential to revolutionize our products, services, and operations.
• Innovation Evaluator: Conduct thorough research, case studies, and pilot projects to gauge the viability and potential impact of new technologies on our business.
• Cross-Functional Collaborator: Work closely with various departments to deeply understand their technology needs and challenges, ensuring cohesive and strategic technology adoption.
• Strategic Planner: Craft and execute a strategic plan for the seamless integration of promising technologies into our existing systems and processes.
• Team Leader: Guide and manage cross-functional teams in the pilot and deployment phases of new technology initiatives, ensuring effective collaboration and innovation.
• Scalable Technology Framework Developer: Formulate scalable technology frameworks and best practices to facilitate the smooth integration and expansion of new technologies throughout the organization. This includes assessing new solutions for scalability, planning for the augmentation of tech resources, and ensuring infrastructure and systems are primed for heightened demand and complexity. Lead efforts to enhance technology scalability, performance, and reliability, while guaranteeing cost efficiency and business alignment.
• Scalable Solution Architect: Direct the design and development of scalable emerging technology solutions with an eye on future growth and scalability. Oversee the selection of scalable technologies, frameworks, and methodologies; guide architecture and engineering teams in best practices for crafting scalable systems; and ensure all emerging technology solutions are robust, secure, and capable of managing increased loads and user demands. Collaborate with product development, IT, and operations teams for the seamless deployment and scaling of new technologies across the organization, maintaining high availability and peak performance.
• Partnership Architect: Build strategic relationships with tech startups, competimates, and other key players in the tech ecosystem to ensure Raft stays ahead of the curve.
• Innovation Advocate: Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the emerging technologies team, providing leadership and motivation.
• Budget Overseer: Manage the budget for research and development activities related to emerging technologies, ensuring optimal allocation of resources.
• Tech Communication Expert: Effectively communicate technology strategies and impacts to stakeholders at all levels, including crafting compelling presentations for the board and executive teams.
• Compliance and Ethics Guardian: Stay updated on compliance, regulatory, and ethical considerations for new technologies, ensuring all initiatives align with legal and company standards.

Highly preferred:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in a technology leadership role, with a proven track record of successful technology innovation and implementation.
• Deep understanding of current and emerging technology trends across various industries.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the success of leading technical teams and the capability of explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience in project management, managing budgets, forecasting headcount, and fostering cross-functional collaboration.
• Willingness to travel for technology conferences, workshops, and industry events.

Clearance Requirements:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance

Work Type:

• Remote
• May require up to 40% travel

Salary Range:

• $150,000 - $275,000
• The determination of compensation is predicated upon a candidate's comprehensive experience, demonstrated skill, and proven abilities

What we will offer you:

• Highly competitive salary
• Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) and company match
• Take as you need PTO + 11 paid holidays
• Education & training benefits
• Annual budget for your tech/gadgets needs
• Monthly box of yummy snacks to eat while doing meaningful work
• Remote, hybrid, and flexible work options
• Team off-site in fun places!
• Generous Referral Bonuses
• And More!

Our Vision Statement:

We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission.

Our Customer Obsession:

We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.

How do we get there?

Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm.

Raft’s core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our “nadi” by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.