Applications Engineering Manager- Defense & Government

Applications Engineering Manager – Defense & Government

Location: Austin, Texas

Department: Business Development
Reports to: VP of Business Development

Type: Full-Time

About HydroGraph

HydroGraph is a hyper-growth advanced materials company scaling pristine, high-performance graphene via its patented Hyperion detonation technology. With more than 70 active commercial projects, a growing global footprint, and industry-leading material quality (99.8% pure graphene), HydroGraph is building the next generation of engineered materials for coatings, composites, and energy storage. Our new Austin HQ will serve as the flagship center for innovation, applied R&D, customer engagement, and rapid material development.

Role Overview

Applications Engineering Manager to lead HydroGraph's technical team supporting DoD agencies and federal partners. Applications Engineering will coordinate and support technical evaluations, application studies, testing, and modeling.  The role will be customer facing working with organizations to find the most effective applications and optimal processes with Hydrograph’s Fractal Graphene.  This role combines market strategy, technology development, and customer needs analysis to identify revenue opportunities, secure customers and partnerships, and expand HydroGraph's footprint in U.S. defense and government programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Supports VP of Business Development in providing technical support, technical strategy, and data development to enable solutions to benefit the US Government and the individual warfighter 


• Be the Hydrograph technical expert to support engagements with US Government and Contractor organizations 


• Provide voice of customer input to product development and R&D


• Support customer trials, evaluations, and implementations of fractal graphene into materials and products


• Oversee the creation of applications focused data to support business development and sales initiatives


• Oversee subcontractors used for data generation (universities, test labs, research institutes)


• Provide input to marketing on the publication/promotion of application data results


• Publish technical papers on applications of graphene to meet market needs


• Work cross-functionally with R&D, product development, marketing, and manufacturing to deliver customer-aligned solutions


• Represent HydroGraph at industry events, conferences, and trade shows

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Business, or related field required; advanced technical degree preferred


• 10+ years proven experience in customer-facing technical support roles in advanced materials, chemicals, or industrial sectors


• Experience with technical support involving materials science or nanotechnology applications

• Strong technical comprehension of materials science and advanced manufacturing technologies


• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills


• Ability to translate complex technical value propositions into solutions that meet the needs of the US military and individual warfighter.


• Capability in identifying and evaluating market opportunities across diverse industries for new technologies


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.)


• Self-motivated with ability to work independently


• Good organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines


• U.S. citizenship and eligibility for a U.S. Government security clearance


• Experience operating in regulated, security-sensitive environments

Preferred Experience

• Active Top Secret clearance


• Experience with advanced materials, composites, nanomaterials, clean energy, or dual-use technologies
  


• Prior military service or DoD civilian experience


• Experience transitioning technologies from R&D into operational defense programs


• Established network within the U.S. defense or government procurement ecosystem

Work Environment

• U.S.-based role (role is based in Austin, Texas, and requires regular in-person collaboration.


• Ability to travel 30–50% as required


• Attendance at trade shows, conferences, and customer sites required

Why Join HydroGraph

• Help scale one of the world’s highest-purity graphene platforms into defense and industrial markets


• Work at the intersection of advanced materials, clean power, and national security


• Partner with leading OEMs, government agencies, and global advisors


• Competitive compensation, equity participation, and meaningful growth opportunity as the company scales