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Salary: USD 65,000 - 80,000 / annual
The Engine is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting Tough Tech founders solving challenges in climate, health, and advanced systems. The organization operates a founder program, shared infrastructure and labs, and convenes a national network of philanthropic, corporate, and government partners, investors, universities, and experts. The community includes 160+ companies developing science- and engineering-based technologies across energy, advanced materials, biotechnology, manufacturing, computing, robotics, and other advanced systems.
The Partnerships & Development Associate will provide direct support to the Director of Partnerships and Director of Philanthropy, working on prospecting, executing, and managing strategic partnerships and philanthropic relationships across the Tough Tech ecosystem. This is a full-time, execution-oriented role focused on translating relationships into impact and creating tangible opportunities for The Engine's founder community.
Key responsibilities include: managing partner engagement and stewardship through executing partner meetings, workshops, Ignition Pass programs, Innovation Days, and founder programming; matching partners with relevant Engine companies; managing relationships with foundation, corporate, and individual funders; tracking grant requirements and reporting deadlines; drafting funder updates and grant reports. The role also involves running operations and CRM activities—tracking funder and partner commitments, deliverables, and follow-ups; coordinating invoicing and payment follow-up with Finance; and supporting pipeline and revenue forecasting. The Associate will conduct research and prospecting to build prospect profiles and research lists, and research philanthropic organizations, companies, industries, technologies, and funders to identify partnership opportunities aligned with The Engine's mission. Additional responsibilities include supporting and coordinating events (logistics, vendor coordination, invite management, on-site staffing), preparing collateral and materials (company shortlists, briefing documents, presentations, partner updates, funder reports), and contributing to ecosystem initiatives and special projects.
Qualifications: 2–3 years of relevant professional experience in partnerships, business development, philanthropy, nonprofit development, program management, or a related field. Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree in a relevant technical or business field may substitute for up to two years of professional experience. Strong interest in philanthropy, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, commercialization, corporate innovation, or the startup ecosystem. Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and deliver against commitments and deadlines. Ability to quickly understand complex scientific or technical concepts and communicate their commercial relevance to nontechnical audiences. Strong interpersonal skills and comfort engaging with founders, funders, corporate executives, technical experts, and external stakeholders. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects, relationships, and follow-up activities simultaneously. Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment. Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively across teams. Preferred experience includes philanthropy, fundraising, grant management, or nonprofit development; startups, accelerators, incubators, or entrepreneurship programs; corporate innovation, strategy, business development, or partnerships; technology commercialization or university technology transfer; consulting or analytically rigorous business environments; scientific or engineering research; Tough Tech sectors (climate tech, biotech, advanced manufacturing, robotics, computing, materials); event planning, program coordination, or project management; and CRM platforms and relationship-management tools.
