DARPA – Multi X Office (MXO) Subject Matter Expert

Amentum; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) matching

Educational reimbursement

Parental leave

Employee stock purchase plan

Tax-saving options

Disability and life insurance

Pet insurance

Job summary

Amentum is seeking a Senior Subject Matter Expert to support development and execution of programs and strategy in MTO. This is a full-time, on-site role at Ballston, Arlington, VA with domestic travel about 20%.

Annual salary ranges between $175K-$250K, commensurate with qualifications and experience. The candidate will provide SETA support to DARPA and engage with program managers, IPTs, and R&D communities.

Qualifications

• Master of Science degree in a relevant engineering, scientific, or technological discipline.
• At least 20 years of relevant experience.
• Active Secret security clearance; US citizenship required.
• Uniquely qualifying research or credentials; recognized expert in a highly specified area.
• Mature judgment to advise senior government personnel on complex scientific matters.
• Ability to make independent decisions on R&D engineering problems.
• Experience with advanced techniques and practices in a scientific discipline.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for government interactions.

Responsibilities

• Provide SETA support to DARPA in executing advanced tech programs.
• Provide technical and strategic support to DARPA PMs and leadership.
• Identify, develop, and implement new program concepts.
• Provide program management and acquisition support.
• Translate requirements into technology R&D objectives.
• Perform technical assessments of new technologies and designs.
• Draft program documentation and attend reviews and partner meetings.
• Support technical interchange and design reviews.

Skills

Systems engineering

Program management

Technical assessment

DARPA/DoD knowledge

Education

Master of Science degree in a relevant engineering, scientific, or technological discipline

PhD (desirable)

Job description

Please note, position is contingent upon award ***

Please note, position is contingent upon award ***

Amentum is a leading provider of engineering, scientific, and program management support services to some of the top agencies in the U.S. government, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the intelligence community.

The mission of DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) is to ensure the U.S.’s continued technological dominance, both militarily and economically. To do this, MTO pushes today’s boundaries in foundational science, going beyond incremental improvements to existing technologies and seeking fundamental scientific breakthroughs that can create new capabilities and reshape entire industries. MTO has three major focus areas that address distinct challenges while also building upon and reinforcing one another: Circuit Development to Enable Next-generation Microsystems (photonic circuits, quantum circuits, and organic circuits), Microsystems Manufacturing Ecosystem, and Dual-use by Design. Additional information on MTO is available here: https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/mto

Please note, position is contingent upon award ***

Amentum is seeking a Senior Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support the development and execution of programs and strategy in MTO. This is a full-time position with the requirement to work on-site at the client location (Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, VA). Some domestic travel (~20%) may be required. Annual salary ranges between $175K-$250K, depending on qualifications and experience.

Responsibilities May Include:

• Providing Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) to DARPA in the execution of advanced technology, research, and prototype demonstration programs
• Providing technical and strategic support and insight to DARPA Program Managers, DARPA leadership, performers, integrated product teams (IPTs), and associated research and development communities across industry, academia, and government
• Support in identifying, developing, and implementing new program concepts
• Providing program management and acquisition support
• Leveraging knowledge of the full lifecycle of advanced research and development programs, from concept development and requirements definition through prototyping, testing, evaluation, and transition to operational capability
• Identifying and translating requirements into technology research and development objectives
• Performing independent technical assessments of new technologies and system designs, including evaluation of alternatives, trade studies, and cost-benefit analyses
• Providing overarching support to program/s to include, as needed, attending biweekly calls for performers, attending major reviews, drafting programmatic documentation for DARPA and transition partners, attending transition partner meetings and internal DARPA team meetings
• Supporting technical interchange meetings and design reviews
• Supporting program experimentation and testing efforts, including preparation of experiment/test plans and coordination with performers, government agents, and test facilities
• Author program briefings and technical documentation and reports

Minimum Requirements:

• Master of Science degree in a relevant engineering, scientific, or technological discipline
• At least 20 years of relevant experience
• Active Secret security clearance. Please note US citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Uniquely qualifying research, credentials, or education; universally recognized as the expert/authority in a highly specified scientific area
• The mature judgement required to advise senior government personnel on complex scientific and technical matters
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions independently on R&D engineering problems and methods, in resolving important questions, and planning and coordinating work
• Demonstrated experience in the use of advanced techniques, theories, precepts, and practices in a scientific or technological discipline
• The demonstrated professionalism, maturity, sound judgement, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills necessary for daily interactions with a Government Program Manager, other technical support personnel, and executive-level audiences in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Highly Desired Attributes:

• PhD degree in a relevant engineering, scientific, or technological discipline
• Active Top Secret security clearance, with the ability to obtain SCI access. Please note US citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Experience working with DoD stakeholders, combatant commands, and defense industry partners
• Experience with basic and applied research and prior experience as a DARPA Program Manager or senior SETA contractor
• Experience managing R&D programs from inception to closeout
• Fifteen (15) years of extensive experience, background and knowledge of one or more DARPA programs
• Five (5) years of experience working with DARPA Program Managers is highly desirable

Compensation Details:

$175K-$200K

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview:

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting:

04/22/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.