The Mission Systems Group is recruiting a senior engineering and technical advisory professional to provide expert strategic and technical advisory services to the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW (R&E)) in support of Multi-Domain Joint Operations (MDJO).

We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) with extensive experience in joint mission engineering, advanced technology maturation, and rapid prototyping to accelerate the fielding of critical warfighting capabilities. The SME will provide technical oversight and portfolio management, bridging the gap between the Science & Technology (S&T) enterprise, Service Laboratories, Defense Agencies (e.g., DARPA), Program Executive Offices / Program Managers (PEO/PM), and operational end-users.

This role requires mature technical judgment and executive presence to advise the Principal Technical Director (PTD) and collaborate with senior government leaders, combatant commands, and industry partners to drive defense modernization and multi-domain capability transition.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Lead the development, technical assessment, and lifecycle management of technology maturation roadmaps for joint mission capabilities, with specific focus on accelerating transitions from S&T into operational baselines (TRL 4 -7).
• Directly advise and support the Principal Technical Director (PTD) by delivering technical gap analyses, engineering trade studies, Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), and investment prioritization strategies.
• Drive proactive technical collaboration across Service Laboratories, Warfare Centers, DARPA, PEOs/PMs, Combatant Commands, and industry partners to identify and remediate critical joint warfighting capability gaps.
• Serve as a senior technical authority on mission engineering, overseeing cross-cutting architecture integration across critical modernization areas (e.g., JADC2, Resilient Communications, Autonomy, Cyber/EW, and Multi-Domain Sensing).
• Author, evaluate, and coordinate Technology Transition Agreements (TTAs), capability modernization roadmaps, rapid fielding strategies, and technical policy directives.
• Prepare and deliver high-impact executive technical briefings, white papers, congressional reports, and interagency deliverables on prototyping performance, technical readiness, and transition milestones.
• Facilitate and lead technical exchange meetings (TEMs), joint experimentation reviews, and specialized cross-functional working groups on behalf of the Principal Technical Director.

Qualifications Required:

• Education: Master of Science (MS) or Master of Engineering degree in an accredited STEM discipline with a minimum of 20 years of progressively responsible technical and engineering experience. Alternatively, a PHD with 15+ years of experience is acceptable.
• Critical Technology Expertise: Demonstrated experience in systems engineering, technology maturation, and technical oversight across key modernization areas (e.g., Joint All-Domain Command and Control [JADC2], Resilient C4ISR, Autonomy, Electronic Warfare, Cyber, Hypersonics, or Advanced Sensors).
• Portfolio & Transition Management: Proven track record managing complex technology portfolios and successfully transitioning advanced capabilities into Acquisition Category (ACAT) programs of record or rapid fielding pipelines.
• Defense RDT&E Process Acumen: In-depth familiarity with Department of Defense / Department of War RDT&E processes, PPBE budget lifecycles, and JCIDS touchpoints.
• Systems & Mission Architecture: Strong background in mission engineering, interface control definitions, system-of-systems integration, and quantitative trade-off analysis.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal briefing and technical writing skills tailored for Senior Executive Service (SES), General/Flag Officers, and executive program leadership.
• Clearance: Active Top Secret / SCI clearance (U.S. Citizenship mandatory).

Qualifications Desired:

• Advanced Degree: Ph.D. in an Engineering, Physics, or relevant STEM discipline with 20+ years of technical leadership experience.
• Executive Staff Support: Prior experience directly supporting a Principal Technical Director, OSD/OUSW directorate, Service S&T Executive, or Combatant Command J-code staff.
• Readiness Assessments: Formal expertise conducting Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) assessments and independent technical reviews.

Required Certifications: None
U.S. Citizenship Required: Yes
Security Clearance Required: TS/SCI
Employment Type: Regular Full-time
Background Check Type: 7 Year Pre-Employment
Drug Screen Required: None
Position Contingent Upon Contract Award: No