Associate, Strategy (National Security)

Newlab is seeking an Associate to play a foundational role on our internal National Security team, supporting efforts to accelerate dual-use and defense innovation across the U.S. and internationally. This role will sit at the intersection of venture analysis, government engagement, and commercialization strategy, blending the analytical depth of a consulting associate with the curiosity and initiative of a venture investor.

The Associate will report directly with the Head of National Security and actively support and collaborate with the Strategy Director and Technical Program Manager to ensure decisions are grounded in high-quality research, data, and stakeholder intelligence. They will serve as the first interface for startups entering Newlab’s defense pipeline, performing market research, customer discovery, and opportunity analysis across commercial, state, and federal domains.

This role is ideal for someone a few years out of college who has spent ~2 years at a Tier 1 VC, management consultancy, or defense innovation organization, and wants to help shape how new technologies commercialize and scale within the national security ecosystem.

This role will be based in our Brooklyn-Navy Yard location with up to 40% travel. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Research and Market Analysis

• Conduct in-depth market research across commercial, federal, and local government sectors to inform national security startup commercialization strategy
• Map federal and industry demand signals for emerging technologies (AI, autonomy, energy, materials, space, biotech, etc.)
• Research and map the federal procurement process, from NDAA and appropriations to program-level RFPs and solicitations
• Maintain a live database of federal opportunities and funding streams aligned with Newlab’s focus areas
• Provide timely intelligence and briefings to inform leadership decisions 
• Develop concise, data-driven briefs and dashboards on funding trends, procurement mechanisms, and competitive landscapes
• Support active engagements with state and federal partners by gathering customer feedback, federal use cases, and potential offtake pathways 

        2.  Startup Engagement and Portfolio Support

• Serve as the first interface for national security startups in Newlab’s network in partnership with Global Membership by screening, assessing fit, and routing them to internal teams for opportunities 
• Coordinate with the Membership team to evaluate startups’ commercial potential
• Track progress of active startups across pilot programs and testing campaigns
• Help maintain and update CRM and pipeline systems with accurate startup data and defense customer touchpoints

        3. Strategic and Analytical Support

• Support the VP and Strategy Director in developing new business models (e.g., whitebox manufacturing, infrastructure-as-a-service)
• Research and test new commercialization frameworks and potential programmatic structures using quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Analyze financial, market, and operational data to support internal decision-making and external proposals.
• Support the creation of client deliverables such as memos, reports, and decks for our federal and state partners 
• Work closely with the TPM to track project performance metrics, collect stakeholder data, and ensure alignment with contract deliverables 

       4. Business Development and Project Support

• Support proposal development by conducting background research, summarizing agency priorities, and drafting supporting materials
• Participate in site visits, industry events, and key stakeholder meetings as a Newlab representative

Qualifications:

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree from a top-tier institution in engineering, business, political science, or a related field
• Master’s degree (optional) in public policy, business, or international affairs is a plus

Skills + Experience:

• 2–4 years in a top-tier venture capital firm, Tier 1 management consultancy, defense innovation org (DIU, NSIN, AFWERX, AAL), or adjacent startup ecosystem role
• Strong research and synthesis skills — able to translate complex data into actionable insights quickly
• Demonstrated ability to engage with technical founders and understand early-stage business models
• Familiarity with federal innovation structures (SBIR/STTR, OTAs, federal contracting) is a plus

Qualities + Attributes:

• Strong bias toward action and strong propensity to build
• Sharp analytical and writing skills; comfortable producing both polished decks and quantitative analysis for both technical and executive audiences
• Natural curiosity and ability to dive into new domains and technologies with rigor
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to interface with startups, investors, and government stakeholders
• Energized by and able to thrive in a dynamic and fast-moving startup environment 
• Passionate about driving cross-sector collaboration to advance the development, scale and adoption of critical technologies technology
• Exceptional operational skills and the ability to manage complex spreadsheets, pro formas, and program dashboards with precision
• Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of juggling multiple workstreams in a fast-moving environment
• Mission-driven and motivated by helping to build the bridge between cutting-edge startups and U.S. national security needs

Compensation:

• $115,000-$135,000
• Eligible for bonus program
• Comprehensive medical benefits
• In office perks