Scientist Engineer III

ecsfederal; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Everforth ECS in Arlington, VA is seeking a Scientist Engineer III to serve as a senior technical advisor to DARPA MXO program managers, evaluating complex research programs and translating advanced science into executable decisions.

You will join a cross-disciplinary team from concept through program execution, conducting trade studies, risk analyses, and technical reviews to keep high-risk R&D on track. Travel may be required; U.S. citizenship is expected for security clearance.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• 12+ years of relevant experience in defense-related R&D.
• U.S. citizenship required for security-clearance eligibility.
• Experience planning and developing defense-related R&D projects.
• Ability to conduct rigorous analysis and recommend solutions.
• Advanced command of the techniques, theories, and practices in the discipline.
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills for technical and executive audiences.
• Travel may include locations within and outside the continental United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical assessments, trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and post-test evaluations for high-risk R&D programs.
• Examine performer plans and results across disciplines; identify critical assumptions, integration challenges, and program-level consequences.
• Develop recommendations on technical direction, milestones, risk reduction, testing, scope changes, and transition planning.
• Support new program formation through technology scouting, needs analysis, feasibility assessments, and senior-level technical briefings.
• Advise program managers on planning, execution, cost, schedule, risk, and transition throughout the R&D lifecycle.
• Assess progress through technical reviews, site visits, tests, and demonstrations; identify concerns and propose risk-reduction actions.
• Coordinate with performers, Government partners, test organizations, and stakeholders to move efforts toward objectives.
• Produce technical and programmatic materials for leadership and external stakeholders, including briefs and reports.
• Contribute to new program concepts by researching emerging science and evaluating relevance and feasibility.
• Provide independent, objective advice while protecting sensitive information and complying with security requirements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Independent analysis

Education

Master's degree

12+ years of relevant experience

Job description

Everforth ECS is seeking aScientist Engineer IIIto work in ourArlington, Virginiaoffice.

Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000

Position Overview

Everforth ECS is seeking a Scientist Engineer III to serve as a senior technical advisor to DARPA MXO program managers. You will evaluate complex research programs, test whether technical approaches remain credible as evidence develops, and help translate advanced science and engineering into executable program decisions and mission-relevant outcomes.

You will join an integrated scientific, engineering, and program support team that works alongside DARPA program managers from early concept development through program execution, testing, transition, and closeout.

About DARPA MXO

DARPA's Multi X Office applies the physical sciences across scales and disciplines to create mission-relevant capabilities. Its work extends from materials at the atomic, molecular, and cellular scales to components, tools, processes, systems, and architectures that can reshape future military operations and strengthen the U.S. technology base.

• Materials and components beyond traditional CMOS foundations, with an emphasis on resilient, secure, and attack-resistant systems
• New tools, processes, manufacturing approaches, and domestic supply chains for critical technologies
• New modalities for sensing, orienting, computing, communicating, and producing mission effects
• Technical domains that include effects, energy, quantum science, organics and materials, new compute, robotics, and photonics

Depending on program assignment, your work may involve these areas or other emerging MXO priorities. Learn more about DARPA MXO

What You Will Do

• Lead technical assessments, trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and post-test evaluations for high-risk R&D programs.
• Examine performer plans and results across disciplines; identify critical assumptions, integration challenges, and program-level consequences.
• Develop recommendations on technical direction, milestones, risk reduction, testing, scope changes, and transition planning.
• Support new program formation through technology scouting, needs analysis, feasibility assessments, and senior-level technical briefings.
• Advise DARPA program managers on program planning, technical execution, cost, schedule, risk, and transition considerations throughout the R&D lifecycle.
• Assess performer progress through technical reviews, site visits, laboratory results, tests, demonstrations, and other program events; identify concerns early and recommend practical risk-reduction actions.
• Coordinate with performers, Government partners, test organizations, transition stakeholders, and other technical experts to keep complex efforts moving toward measurable program objectives.
• Develop clear technical and programmatic products for DARPA leadership and external stakeholders, including review briefings, decision materials, trip reports, technical assessments, and program documentation.
• Support the development of new program concepts by researching emerging science and technology, evaluating military relevance and feasibility, and contributing to trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and new-start materials.
• Provide independent, objective advice while protecting sensitive information and complying with all security, organizational conflict-of-interest, and Government requirements.
• Travel may include locations within and outside the continental United States and occasional international travel in support of program reviews, tests, demonstrations, or partner engagement.

• Master's degree
• 12 or more years of relevant experience
• U.S. citizenship required for security-clearance eligibility
• Progressively responsible experience planning and developing defense-related R&D projects involving unique, consequential, or controversial technical problems.
• Demonstrated skill conceiving, planning, and conducting research of considerable scope and complexity using novel approaches and sophisticated techniques.
• Ability to independently conduct rigorous analysis and recommend solutions and alternatives for complex R&D issues.
• Advanced command of the techniques, theories, and practices in the discipline for which the candidate provides expertise.
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills for technical and executive audiences.