Technical Program Consultant — DARPA / ARPA-H

Former SETAs & federal R&D technical advisors encouraged to apply

Remote | Part-time, 10–15 hrs/week | Potential path to full-time

About Tetonic

Tetonic AI helps companies, universities, and research teams pursue ambitious R&D programs and funding opportunities from agencies including ARPA-H and DARPA.

Our team brings firsthand experience from the ARPA model, and we work directly with technical teams to develop competitive programs and proposals, assemble consortia, structure projects, and navigate the unique requirements of advanced government R&D agencies.

The Role

We're looking for a Technical Program Consultant to support clients developing ambitious R&D programs and proposals.

This is a hands-on, multidisciplinary role. Depending on the project, you may:

• Shape ambitious but achievable R&D concepts and proposals
• Review complex technical materials and provide clear, actionable feedback
• Help draft proposal materials and other program documentation
• Build consortia by identifying and evaluating potential partners and technologies
• Develop project structures, budgets, milestones, and deliverables
• Help clients navigate DARPA, ARPA-H, and other federal R&D processes
• Manage fast-moving projects involving diverse technical and organizational stakeholders

Who We're Looking For

Our ideal candidate is a former DARPA or ARPA-H SETA or technical advisor who has supported program managers through activities such as program design, technical evaluation, source selection, performer management, or milestone development.

We're also interested in candidates with comparable experience supporting other advanced federal R&D programs.

You should have:

• Strong technical writing, communication, and proposal-review skills
• The ability to quickly understand and evaluate complex scientific and engineering concepts, including outside your primary domain
• Experience with government R&D, technical program development, or project/program management
• The ability to work independently and manage changing priorities under tight deadlines
• Strong professionalism and comfort working directly with clients and technical stakeholders

A PhD and technical expertise in biotechnology, health, AI, sensing, robotics, energy, or another hard-tech field are preferred but not required.

Structure

This is a fully remote consulting role starting at approximately 10–15 hours per week, with the potential to grow into a full-time position over the coming months.

Apply

Please send your resume and a short note (one paragraph or less) explaining your interest in the position and why you think you'd be a strong fit to [email protected].