Senior Functional Expert: AI & Hardware R&D Lead

Everforth ECS; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Everforth ECS is seeking a Functional Expert II to provide senior program and technical leadership for DARPA MXO research at the intersection of engineering, AI and machine learning, and advanced hardware.

You will help program managers structure complex R&D efforts, evaluate whether performers are meeting technical intent, and translate emerging capabilities into credible program and transition strategies.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of relevant experience.
• US citizenship required for security-clearance eligibility.
• Senior program-management experience with regulatory-compliance responsibility in complex R&D environments.
• Demonstrated success planning, directing, and coordinating multidisciplinary task-order personnel while maintaining fiscal integrity and operational efficiency.
• Experience managing large defense R&D efforts, technical teams, and senior stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to conceive and oversee research programs that require unconventional approaches and independent technical judgment.
• Depth in engineering and AI/ML, including relationship between algorithms, hardware, data, and mission performance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical and executive audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior program and technical leadership for DARPA MXO research.
• Help program managers structure complex R&D efforts and evaluate technical intent.
• Translate emerging capabilities into credible program and transition strategies.
• Join an integrated team supporting DARPA program managers from concept to closeout.
• Advise on program planning, technical execution, cost, schedule, risk, and transition considerations.

Skills

12+ years experience

US citizenship

Senior program mgmt

Multidisciplinary coordination

Technical leadership

AI/ML understanding

Written and verbal comms

Job description

Everforth ECS is seeking a Functional Expert II to provide senior program and technical leadership for DARPA MXO research at the intersection of engineering, AI and machine learning, and advanced hardware.

You will help program managers structure complex R&D efforts, evaluate whether performers are meeting technical intent, and translate emerging capabilities into credible program and transition strategies.