DARPA – Multi X Office (MXO) Mid-Level Scientist / Engineer

Amentum; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Educational reimbursement

Parental leave

Employee stock purchase plan

Disability and life insurance

Pet insurance

Job summary

Amentum is seeking mid-level scientist/engineers to support DARPA MXO program development and execution. This full-time on-site role is based in Arlington, VA (Ballston neighborhood) with occasional domestic travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities include SETA support, program coordination, and technical assessments to advance DoD-relevant technologies. Qualified candidates have a Master’s degree and at least 10 years of experience, active Secret clearance, and strong technical and communication

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering, science, or technology.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Active Secret security clearance; US citizenship required.
• Experience in MXO-relevant disciplines (chemistry, engineering, RF, materials and process engineering, hardware systems, microwave devices, quantum computing, communications, AI/ML).
• Strong professional judgement and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide SETA to DARPA in the execution of advanced technology programs.
• Provide technical support and insight to DARPA Program Managers, IP Teams, and research communities.
• Identify and translate requirements into technology R&D objectives.
• Perform evaluations of new technologies and designs and conduct trade studies.
• Draft programmatic documentation for DARPA and transition partners; participate in reviews.
• Support technical interchange meetings, design reviews, and test plans.

Skills

Security clearance

Top Secret clearance

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical judgement

Education

Master’s degree in engineering/science/tech

PhD degree in relevant discipline

Job description

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 Multi X Office (MXO) to ensure the U.S.’s continued technological dominance, both militarily and economically. To do this, MXO disrupts how technology is developed and used by applying the physical sciences to deliver novel, mission-relevant capabilities. MXO explores materials at the atomic, molecular, and cellular scales to develop new components, tools, and processes that transform both the future battlespace and tomorrow’s economies.MXO focuses on three major thrust areas to enable fundamentally new capabilities: materials and components to expand the foundation, tools and processes for indigenous development, and new modalities to achieve mission effects. Additional information on MXO is available here: https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/mxo

*** Please note, positions are contingent upon award ***

Amentum is seeking mid-level scientist / engineers to support the development and execution of programs in MXO. 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.

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 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
• 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
• Contributing to program briefings and technical documentation and reports

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering, scientific, or technological discipline
• At least 10 years of relevant experience
• Active Secret security clearance. Please note US citizenship is required to maintain a security clearance.
• Experience in MXO-relevant disciplines, such as chemistry, engineering, radio frequency engineering, materials and process engineering, hardware systems, microwave devices, quantum computing, communications, operations and testing, photonics, physics, software systems, electronic warfare, microsystems manufacturing, process improvement, semiconductor devices, robotic perception/sensing, and artificial intelligence/ machine learning (AI/ML)
• The mature technical judgement required to advise senior government personnel on complex scientific and technical matters
• Experience at progressively more difficult levels in planning and developing projects of an R&D nature addressing problems relevant to Department of War (DoW) programs
• Demonstrated skill in conceiving, planning, and conducting research in problem areas of considerable scope and complexity requiring unconventional or novel approaches and sophisticated research techniques
• 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 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
• Five (5) years of extensive experience, background, and knowledge of one or more DARPA programs
• Three (3) years of experience working with DARPA Program Managers is highly desirable

Compensation Details:

$150K-$225K depending on qualifications and experience

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:

09/01/2026 - 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.