Senior Advisor for Farm Automation

Lindahl Reed LLC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 235,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement plan

Life insurance (basic)

Disability insurance (LTD/STD)

Flexible Spending Account

Professional development

Other benefits

Job summary

Lindahl Reed is seeking a Senior Advisor for Farm Automation to support USDA in Washington, D.C. The role advises the Executive Director of the Office of the Chief Scientist on automation in agriculture and provides strategic research support within the ORESS framework.

The candidate should have extensive experience in agricultural R&D and automation, with a background in life sciences or engineering, and possess strong communication and reporting skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15–20 years of experience in relevant fields.
• Advanced degree in life sciences or engineering discipline.
• Experience advising senior-level officials and coordinating research programs.
• Strong data analysis, reporting, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Executive Director of the OCS on research for automation in agriculture.
• Provide research, analytical and strategic planning support to the Chief Scientist’s office.
• Develop high-level product specifications and oversee capability development.

Skills

Communication

Data analysis

Written/verbal communication

Report writing

Mentoring

Team collaboration

Proof-reading

Education

Master’s degree in biotechnology

Master’s degree in chemistry

Master’s degree in agricultural sciences

Master’s degree in engineering

Job description

Position:Senior Advisor for Farm Automation

Location: Washington D.C.

Job Id:3147

# of Openings:1

Title: Senior Advisor for Farm Automation

Location: USDA Headquarters, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC

Job Type: Full-Time Onsite

Salary: $235,000-$265,000/ year

Experience: Minimum fifteen (15) to twenty (20) years’ experience

Education: Master’s degree in biotechnology, chemistry, agricultural, agronomy and crop science, botany, entomology, soil health, food sciences, infectious diseases and zoonoses, veterinary science, marine studies OR an engineering discipline

Updated: September 18, 2026

Company Description

Now is the time to join Lindahl Reed, Inc. Lindahl Reed is a scientific, engineering, technical, and research company supporting the nation’s most critical missions in Energy Innovation, National Security, and Environmental Stewardship. At Lindahl Reed, we live our values every day. Integrity, trust, and excellence are the foundation of everything we do. We are committed to pioneering innovative solutions, enabling cutting-edge technologies, and advancing a cleaner, and more resilient and secure world. We are hiring creative, motivated, and talented people with a passion for doing what's right, what's smart, and what works.

Description/Job Summary

Lindahl Reed is seeking a Senior Advisor for Farm Automation to support the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. in advising, providing research, analytical and strategic planning support to The Executive Director of the Office of The Chief Scientist within the Office of Research, Economic, and Science Security (ORESS). The successful candidate will possess strong analytical, communication, strategic thinking and reporting skills with the ability to work well in a team environment and under a strict deadline schedule. This position will report directly to the Lindahl Reed Project Manager.

Position Responsibilities

• Serves as a senior advisor for Farm Automation in alignment with the USDA Research Priorities (December 30, 2025).
• The position is responsible for advising the Executive Director of The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) on research for automation in agriculture.
• Possess a deep expertise in agricultural Research & Development and automation, including knowledge on the requirements of agricultural producers.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Ability to effectively communicate with and advise senior level officials
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Possess excellent data analysis skills
• Possess ability to work well within a team environment and mission
• Ability to build, present comprehensive reports and effectively highlight key data elements.
• Excellent proof-reading and editing skills

Minimum Five (5) Years' experience in the following disciplines

• Experience evaluating complex research portfolios and identifying opportunities to maximize impact and potential security risks that should be mitigated
• Experience developing and implementing appropriate mitigations and opportunities within the agriculture business.
• Experience with providing both informed assessments on the technical merit of emerging scientific capabilities and the implications for research security and technology protection.
• Experience creating a technical vision and direction plan based on requirements
• Experience in developing high-level product specifications
• Experience in overseeing the development of capabilities and providing technical guidance/mentoring to others.
• Advanced degree in life sciences (i.e., biotechnology, chemistry, agricultural, agronomy and crop science, botany, entomology, soil health, food sciences, infectious diseases and zoonoses, veterinary science, marine studies) or an engineering discipline.

The following benefits are available to benefit-eligible employees

• Medical Benefits
• Retirement Plan
• Company paid Basic Life, Long-Term Disability and Short-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Professional and Educational Development
• And other benefits

All positions require a background check after acceptance of our offer. The selected candidate may be eligible to begin employment before the background check has been finalized. However, continued employment with Lindahl Reed will be contingent upon the timely and acceptable results of candidate’s reference/background check. This position may require special credentialing, clearance, and access as a condition of employment. In the event the government or client does not sponsor or approve your credentialing and/ or clearance, it may result in termination of your employment.

Lindahl Reed is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. Lindahl Reed complies with pay disclosure requirements for applicable cities and states. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.

This job description is not a contract and may be adjusted as deemed appropriate in Lindahl Reed's sole discretion.