Senior Scientific Advisor

Core4ce Careers; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Training and certifications

Tuition assistance

Parental leave and generous PTO/holid

Internal innovation program

Job summary

Core4ce is seeking a Senior Scientific Advisor to provide expert technical knowledge and strategic guidance across research, engineering, and mission operations environments. The role involves high-level system analysis, design, integration, documentation, and implementation for complex technical challenges requiring deep subject matter expertise.

The ideal candidate will apply advanced principles and conduct AoA-like studies, assess proposed design changes, and help characterize system

Qualifications

• Active TS-SCI security clearance or higher.
• Ability to obtain CI poly.
• Experience contributing to analyses and trade studies.
• Familiarity with GEOINT capabilities and IC/DoD contexts.

Responsibilities

• Active TS-SCI security clearance with the ability to obtain a CI poly.
• Provide technical analysis and advisory support for specialized research, engineering, and mission operations initiatives.
• Conduct high-level system analysis, design, integration, documentation, and implementation assessments for complex technical problems.
• Compile and review current USSF needs that require GEOINT data and information.
• Coordinate with client and partner organizations to identify high-priority mission needs.
• Assess current and future systems in acquisition or development that may address identified GEOINT requirements.
• Identify capability gaps and evaluate the technical maturity of potential solutions.
• Develop recommendations to inform future community asset acquisition and investment decisions.
• Perform trade studies and technical assessments to support system design reviews, product quality evaluations, and performance characterization.

Skills

TS-SCI clearance

CI poly

Trade studies

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering/Physical Sciences/CS

Job description

The Senior Scientific Advisor provides expert technical knowledge, analysis, and strategic guidance for highly specialized applications across research, engineering, and mission operations environments. This role supports high-level functional system analysis, design, integration, documentation, and implementation efforts related to exceptionally complex technical challenges requiring deep subject matter expertise. The ideal candidate applies advanced principles, methods, and technical knowledge to narrowly defined but highly difficult engineering and scientific problems. This position also requires the ability to conduct trade studies, assess proposed system design changes, evaluate impacts on product quality, and characterize system performance to support verification and informed acquisition decisions.

Responsibilities

• Active TS-SCI security clearance with the ability to obtain a CI poly
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline
• Provide technical analysis and advisory support for specialized research, engineering, and mission operations initiatives.
• Conduct high-level system analysis, design, integration, documentation, and implementation assessments for complex technical problems.
• Compile and review current USSF needs that require GEOINT data and information.
• Coordinate with client and partner organizations, including NRO (R&T, SAO, CPSO), USSF, USSPACECOM, and other stakeholders, to identify high-priority mission needs.
• Assess current and future systems in acquisition or development that may address identified GEOINT requirements.
• Identify capability gaps and evaluate the technical maturity of potential solutions.
• Develop recommendations to inform future community asset acquisition and investment decisions.
• Perform trade studies and technical assessments to support system design reviews, product quality evaluations, and performance characterization.

This position is designed to be flexible, with responsibilities evolving to meet business needs and enable individual growth.

Requirement

• Working knowledge of multiple phenomenologies
• Working knowledge of satellites and space systems
• Working knowledge of orbital mechanics
• Experience contributing to Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) or other technical space and/or GEOINT studies
• Familiarity with commercial GEOINT capabilities and their integration into U.S. Government environments
• Familiarity with existing Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense GEOINT capabilities and future plans
• Familiarity with the requirements development process

Why Work for Us?

Core4ce is a team of innovators, self-starters, and critical thinkers—driven by a shared mission to strengthen national security and advance warfighting outcomes.

We offer:

• 401(k) with 100% company match on the first 6% deferred, withimmediatevesting
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage—employee portion paid 100% by Core4ce
• Unlimited access to training and certifications, with no pre-set cap on eligible professional development
• Tuition assistance for job-related degrees and courses
• Paid parental leave, PTO that grows with tenure, and generous holiday schedules
• Got a big idea? At Core4ce, The Forge gives every employee the chance to propose bold innovations and help bring them to life with internal backing.

Join us to build a career that matters—supported by a company that invests in you.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability, veteran status, age, genetic information, or other legally protected status. Core4ce provides the listed pay range for this position as a general guideline only and not as a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final offers may take into account a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, market data alignment, any applicable collective bargaining agreement, and other legal requirements.