Description

The Engine is looking for a motivated, collaborative, and execution-oriented individual to join our team in Spring 2025 as our Programs Co-Op. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who is comfortable in a fluid work environment, takes ownership of projects and workstreams, and is able to synthesize and communicate information clearly and concisely.

What is The Engine?

The Engine is an entrepreneurial support organization. Our mission is to support and accelerate Tough Tech companies solving the world’s most challenging problems, as they move from research breakthroughs to commercial impact. We were spun out of MIT in 2016 and founded with the mission to create a material positive impact on society and the environment. The Engine has a rich history of supporting technological advancements and entrepreneurship. Our core values of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability drive all our initiatives. We bridge the gaps between research to commercialization and as companies scale from investment to impact and adoption.

What is Tough Tech?

Tough Tech is transformational science and engineering that solves the world’s most important challenges.

About the Role

The Program Co-op is a cross-functional role that supports The Engine’s program team in helping Tough Tech founders grow their businesses and develop as leaders. The program team is responsible for designing and executing programming for the Tough Tech community, like Blueprint & Whiteboard. On the other, they will collaborate with The Builder Platform team, a human-centered network providing tailored post-award support for the NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines. Together, these teams empower entrepreneurs and other collaborators to tackle society’s most pressing challenges.

As a Program Co-op, you'll have the opportunity to significantly add to our efforts in elevating our programming, marketing, community, data analysis, strategic coverage, government relations & networks, and operations efforts. This co-op is flexible and we want to work with you to establish learning goals during your time with our team.

Things to consider when applying for this role includes:

● What unique skills can you offer to support us in elevating our programming and provide value to founders in the building and the NSF Builder Platform ecosystem?

● Which area of Tough Tech and broader impact inspires you? Your work will include the following, with potential for additional opportunities based on your interests:

Roles and Responsibilities

● Assist in the delivery of high-value founder, network, and strategic programming. This could include helping plan events through writing briefing documents, designing workshop materials, and compiling content from key internal stakeholders.

● Conduct research and compile information about key stakeholders (such as The Engine’s partners, Boston based Tough Tech researchers/PIs, our companies, and more) to improve our programming, network maintenance, and ecosystem growth.

● Help plan, write, and produce resources for information sharing within the Tough Tech ecosystem and the NSF Engines network.

● Assist The Engine’s marketing and content efforts including PR, social media, and written content.

● Assist with collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data.

Skills and Qualifications

● Motivated by The Engine’s mission to enable Tough Tech innovators to create world-changing companies

● Experience in community building & programming in a fast-paced environment for entrepreneurship and/or Tough Tech

● Completion of 1 previous co-op or internship

● Experience working with CRMs and Pitchbook is a plus but not required

● Experience working with InDesign and Photoshop is a plus but not required

● Interest in Network Engagement, and/or Founder Support Functions

● Interest or experience in one of our areas of support is a plus: Climate Change, Human Health, or Advanced Systems & Infrastructure

Outcomes of the role

● Find your niche within the Greater Boston/Cambridge entrepreneurial ecosystem, or Tough Tech, and have a clearer understanding of your future career path.

● Learn from highly-experienced individuals with varying academic and professional backgrounds on The Engine team.

● Develop a strong understanding of the inner workings of an entrepreneurial support organization, especially from the programming, marketing, data, resources, and partnerships angle.

● Gain a well-rounded view of the Tough Tech ecosystem.

● Build familiarity with some of the tools used by entrepreneurial support firms to inform and measure their work.