Defense Technology Reporter

The Washington Post is seeking an ambitious, high-impact and collaborative reporter to cover the rapidly evolving world of defense technology, with a focus on the deepening ties between the Pentagon and Silicon Valley. 

This is a fast-moving beat at the intersection of national security, technology and business. The reporter will examine how federal agencies — including the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security — are reshaping their operations through partnerships with private industry, and how a new generation of tech companies is seeking to transform warfare, surveillance, intelligence gathering and global security. 

We are looking for a journalist who can break news, drive accountability reporting and deliver authoritative, agenda-setting coverage. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable digging into procurement systems and policy frameworks as they are unpacking the ambitions of startups and venture-backed firms. This reporter will chronicle the collision between legacy defense contractors and emerging players, track the flow of money and influence between Washington and Silicon Valley, and surface the broader implications for national security, democracy and the public. 

This role sits at the center of some of the most consequential shifts in government and industry. It requires a reporter who can move fluidly between scoops, investigative work and thematic enterprise — translating complex systems into clear, compelling journalism for a broad audience. 

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom. 

• You are curious about how innovation is reshaping warfare and intelligence. 

• You enjoy following money, influence and decision-making inside complex institutions. 

• You thrive on explaining complicated systems in clear and engaging ways. 

• You are collaborative and eager to work across teams to elevate coverage. 

• Break news on defense technology, government contracts and partnerships between federal agencies and private industry. 

• Develop and maintain sources across the Pentagon, DHS, tech companies, startups and the venture capital ecosystem. 

• Track the flow of funding, influence and policy shaping the future of defense and security. 

• Produce investigative and enterprise stories that reveal how decisions are made and who benefits. 

• Explain complex procurement systems, emerging technologies and policy frameworks for a general audience. 

• Identify and report on emerging trends in defense innovation and national security strategy. 

• Collaborate with colleagues across national security, technology, business and data teams to produce comprehensive coverage. 

• A track record of producing impactful reporting on national security, technology, business or related beats. 

• Strong source-building skills and the ability to navigate complex institutions. 

• Demonstrated ability to break news and deliver ambitious enterprise in a competitive environment. 

• Comfort working with documents, contracts and financial information. 

• Ability to explain complex technical and policy issues clearly and accurately. 

• Strong writing skills and the ability to work quickly under deadline pressure. 

• A collaborative mindset and experience working across teams. 

Interested candidates should upload a résumé, cover letter and three examples of their work (as PDFs) to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Apr. 30 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Tech & Media Editor Alexis Fitts, Deputy Futures Editor Juliet Eilperin and Futures Editor Zach Goldfarb. 

The salary range for this position is $137,300 - $228,900. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.