Enabling Technologies SETA Real-World Assessment and Quality of Life (#26-168)

Strategic Analysis, Inc.; Arlington (VA); Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Strategic Analysis, Inc. is seeking an Enabling Technologies SETA advisor focused on Real-World Assessment and Quality of Life. The role provides technical guidance and oversight across autism-related technologies, data collection, accessibility, and program evaluation.

The position emphasizes co-design with autistic users and families, measurement in school settings, and integration of data streams for meaningful real-world outcomes. Remote work is supported, with periodic travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience working with autistic people or other disability communities.
• Experience in accessibility and universal design beyond compliance (Section 508 / WCAG).
• Co-design or Participatory Design Methods experience.
• Measurement in school settings including IEP goals.
• Machine learning on sensor, audio, video, or language data.
• Lived experience of autism is a plus; disclosure is voluntary.

Responsibilities

• Provide internal subject matter expertise on technologies autistic people use in everyday life and how data can be collected.
• Assess whether program goals and approaches are conceptually and technically sound.
• Evaluate whether the tool is useful and will be used in real-world contexts.
• Assess accessibility and options between wearable and contactless technologies.
• Assist in setting goals, expectations, and budgets for TA4 projects including adoption targets.
• Review and oversee funded TA4 projects including real-world validation and co-design with autistic users and families.

Skills

Autism and disability community exp

Accessibility and universal design

Co-design / Participatory design

IEP-related measurement in schools

ML on sensor/audio/video/lang data

Lived autism experience (benefit)

Education

Master's degree in HCI / CS / biomedical or related field

PhD or equivalent experience preferred

Job description

Strategic Analysis, Inc. (SA) is actively seeking an Enabling Technologies SETA (Real-World Assessment and Quality of Life). This is a Science and Engineering and Technical Advisor (SETA) role, focused on providing technical guidance and oversight.

Specific Duties Required:

• Provide internal subject matter expertise on technologies autistic people use in everyday life, and on how those tools can produce useful assessment data through ordinary use. Settings include home, school, work, and the community. Uses include communication (including AAC), daily living, independence, and participation.
• Give insight on whether program goals and proposed approaches are conceptually and technically sound:
• Is the tool useful enough that people will keep using it?
• Do its built-in measures track real-world function in ways that matter?
• Is it accessible and acceptable, with a choice between wearable and contactless options (ARPA-H, n.d.-b)?
• Help set goals, expectations, and budgets for TA4 projects, including performance and adoption targets.
• Help review and oversee funded TA4 projects, including:
• real-world validation
• co-design with autistic users and families
• integration of data streams with TA2 (ARPA-H)

Experience/Expertise Required:

• Work with autistic people or other disability communities
• Accessibility and universal design, beyond Section 508 / WCAG compliance
• Co-design or Participatory Design Methods
• Measurement in school settings, including IEP goals
• Machine learning on sensor, audio, video, or language data
• Lived experience of autism is a plus. Disclosure is voluntary and not required.

Minimum Degree Requirement:

• Master's degree in human-computer interaction, computer science, biomedical or electrical engineering, assistive technology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, psychology/developmental science, or a related field. PhD or equivalent experience preferred.

Location: Position is remote.

Travel: Periodic travel may be required

Clearance: Ability to obtain HHS Public Trust.