DARPA SETA – Technical & Program Leadership

Created Solutions; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Created Solutions seeks a Senior Technical SETA / Subject Matter Expert to support advanced defense R&D programs in Arlington, Virginia. The role requires deep technical expertise and the ability to advise government program managers, assess complex technologies, and communicate with senior officials. On-site / hybrid work per customer requirements, with active U.S.

government security clearance required; TS/SCI strongly preferred. U.S.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Active U.S. Government security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant technical field.
• Significant experience in one or more advanced technical disciplines.
• Experience within the U.S. defense, intelligence, federal R&D, or national security environment.
• Willingness to work on-site at government facilities in Arlington, Virginia.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate highly complex technical information into clear, concise recommendations and briefings.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent scientific and engineering advice to government program managers.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, technical approaches, experimental results, test data, and performer progress.
• Assess technology maturity, technical risk, performance, manufacturing approaches, and transition opportunities.
• Develop or evaluate technical models, analyses, test methodologies, and performance assessments.
• Participate in technical discussions with government organizations, defense contractors, laboratories, universities, and other research organizations.
• Support developmental testing, demonstrations, qualification activities, and technology transition.

Skills

Citizenship

Clearance

Communication

On-site work

Technical advisory

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant technical discipline

Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant technical discipline

Job description

Senior Technical SETA / Subject Matter Expert – Advanced Defense R&D

Location: Arlington, Virginia
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Location: On-site / Hybrid as customer requirements permit
Security Clearance: Active U.S. Government security clearance required; TS/SCI strongly preferred

Position Overview

Created Solutions is seeking exceptional engineers, scientists, technical leaders, and subject matter experts to support current and anticipated advanced defense research and development programs in Arlington, Virginia.

These positions support highly technical government R&D efforts spanning established defense disciplines, emerging technologies, and specialized areas of science and engineering. Successful candidates will combine deep technical expertise with the ability to advise government program managers, independently assess complex technologies, collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, and communicate effectively with senior government, industry, laboratory, and research personnel.

We are particularly interested in professionals with expertise in areas such as:

• RF, microwave, antennas, electronic warfare, and signal processing
• Optics, photonics, lasers, EO/IR, and optical systems
• Sensors, seekers, detection, characterization, and calibration
• Microelectronics, microsystems, semiconductors, and advanced electronics
• Materials science, ceramics, composites, coatings, and high-temperature materials
• Radomes, windows, optical domes, apertures, and electromagnetic transmitting materials
• Hypersonics, aerospace systems, propulsion, and high-speed systems
• Cyber systems and advanced communications
• Nuclear science and engineering
• Autonomy, robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning
• Modeling, simulation, experimental physics, and applied mathematics
• Space and undersea systems
• Advanced manufacturing and technology maturation
• Other specialized science and engineering disciplines relevant to national security

Don’t see your specialty listed? We still want to hear from you. Advanced R&D programs routinely require highly specialized expertise, and Created Solutions is interested in identifying exceptional professionals whose experience may not fit neatly within a traditional engineering job description.

What You’ll Be Doing

Depending on the specific program and technical discipline, responsibilities may include:

• Provide independent scientific and engineering advice to government program managers.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, technical approaches, experimental results, test data, and performer progress.
• Assess technology maturity, technical risk, performance, manufacturing approaches, and transition opportunities.
• Develop or evaluate technical models, analyses, test methodologies, and performance assessments.
• Participate in technical discussions with government organizations, defense contractors, laboratories, universities, and other research organizations.
• Support developmental testing, demonstrations, qualification activities, and technology transition.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship.
• Active U.S. Government security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, physical science, mathematics, computer science, or another relevant technical discipline.
• Significant professional experience in one or more advanced technical disciplines.
• Experience within the U.S. defense, intelligence, federal R&D, or national security environment.
• Ability and willingness to regularly work on‑site at government facilities in Arlington, Virginia.
• Residence within reasonable daily commuting distance of Arlington, Virginia, or willingness to relocate as necessary to meet on‑site requirements.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate highly complex technical information into clear, concise recommendations and briefings.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast‑paced environments with changing priorities and short response times.
• Strong organization, technical judgment, initiative, and attention to detail.

Highly Desired Qualifications

• Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance.
• SAP or other special-access experience.
• Previous DARPA experience.
• Previous SETA or Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) experience.
• Experience supporting advanced government R&D organizations, military laboratories, warfare centers, the Intelligence Community, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), or National Laboratories.
• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant technical discipline.
• Recognized subject matter expertise in a specialized technical field.
• Experience directly advising government program managers.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience evaluating advanced technology development, demonstrations, testing, qualification, and transition.
• Experience preparing and delivering technical briefings to senior government leaders.

Building for the Future

Created Solutions is building long-term capability within the Arlington advanced R&D community. We are interested not only in supporting today’s requirements, but also in finding exceptional technical professionals who can grow with Created Solutions as new programs, technologies, and mission needs emerge.

If your expertise lies at the intersection of advanced technology and national security—and you want to help solve problems that do not always have an established playbook,we want to hear from you.

Culture & Values

At Created Solutions, our motto, “Consider it done,” is more than a slogan—it reflects our commitment to innovation, excellence, and integrity.

We seek team members who:

• Thrive in fast‑paced, dynamic environments.
• Bring a problem‑solving mindset and a strong work ethic.
• Value collaboration and continuous learning.
• Are committed to making a positive impact—both in their work and in their community.

Our company believes that all people are created equal for a purpose. We hold ourselves accountable to high standards in our work and in our mission to support our community through Created Outreach, our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

About Created Solutions

Founded in 2024 in Huntsville, AL, Created Solutions is a fast‑growing small business delivering advanced engineering solutions to the DoD and NASA. We provide expert government support services in flight vehicle design, electrical and mechanical systems, material science, manufacturing, and hypersonic technologies—helping solve some of the nation’s most complex and critical defense challenges.

Join us

Join us and be part of a team where purpose and excellence come together.