SME - Engineer/Scientist/Aviation

CSSI; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CSSI in Washington, D.C. seeks qualified professionals to support the Federal Aviation Administration's Aviation Safety program through technical and analytical expertise. The role involves tackling complex aviation safety challenges and contributing to important modernization efforts.

The ideal candidate will hold a relevant degree and possess experience related to FAA programs. This position offers the opportunity to influence safety across the National Airspace System with potential for collaboration on emerging technologies.

Qualifications

• Minimum four years of aviation-related experience or equivalent qualifications.
• U.S. Citizenship or Green Card holder with Public Trust approval.
• Experience working with FAA and supporting collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Apply expertise to solve aviation safety challenges.
• Develop technical solutions to improve system performance.
• Conduct advanced modeling and simulation for safety performance.

Skills

Advanced analytics

Modeling and simulation

Data visualization

Technical problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Master’s degree in a related field

Doctorate in a related field

Job description

Seeking qualified professionals to support Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety (AVS) programs through engineering, technical, and analytical support and mission execution activities addressing complex system, safety, and operational challenges across the National Airspace System (NAS). This role supports high-impact aviation safety initiatives, modernization efforts, and emerging technologies shaping the future of the National Airspace System (NAS).

Key Responsibilities

• Apply engineering, scientific, and technical expertise to solve complex aviation systems, safety, and operational challenges.
• Develop and implement technical solutions, models, and algorithms to improve system performance and safety outcomes.
• Conduct advanced modeling, simulation, and system analysis supporting safety and operational performance.
• Develop and apply analytical tools, models, and simulation environments to support system evaluation and technical problem solving.
• Support technical planning, system integration, and problem‑solving efforts across multidisciplinary teams.
• Collaborate with FAA program offices, engineers, analysts, and stakeholders to develop and implement technical and analytical solutions.
• Provide technical guidance and direction across tasks or teams, supporting coordination of complex engineering and analytical efforts.

Applicant Preferences

• Experience with advanced analytics, software‑enabled modeling, dashboards, or data visualization supporting aviation safety or operational analysis.
• Experience applying advanced modeling, simulation, software development, or data‑driven technical solutions in complex aviation or engineering environments.
• Experience working with FAA Headquarters and supporting cross‑organizational collaboration and executive‑level communications.
• Familiarity with modeling, simulation, data analytics, or system‑level technical problem solving.
• Experience supporting complex technical programs, including emerging aviation technologies.
• U.S. Citizen or Green Card Permanent Resident (minimum 3+ years of U.S. residency) and Public Trust approval.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Engineer/Scientist/Aviation I

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering, science, or other related field and a minimum of four years of experience in performing the above duties or aviation‑related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree may be waived with six years of experience in performing the above duties or aviation‑related experience.
• U.S. Citizen or Green Card Permanent Resident (minimum 3+ years of U.S. residency) and Public Trust approval.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Engineer/Scientist/Aviation II

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering, science, or other related field and eight years of experience in performing the above duties or aviation‑related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree may be waived with twelve years of experience in performing the above duties or aviation‑related experience.
• U.S. Citizen or Green Card Permanent Resident (minimum 3+ years of U.S. residency) and Public Trust approval.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Engineer/Scientist/Aviation III

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering, science, or other related fields and ten years of experience in performing the above duties or aviation‑related experience.
• Master’s degree may be waived with twelve years of experience in performing the above duties or aviation‑related experience and a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or other related fields.
• U.S. Citizen or Green Card Permanent Resident (minimum 3+ years of U.S. residency) and Public Trust approval.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Engineer/Scientist/Aviation IV

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering, science, or other related field and thirteen years of experience in performing the above duties or aviation‑related experience.
• Master’s degree may be waived with seventeen years of experience in performing the above duties or aviation‑related experience and a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or other related fields.
• U.S. Citizen or Green Card Permanent Resident (minimum 3+ years of U.S. residency) and Public Trust approval.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Engineer/Scientist/Aviation V

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in psychology, industrial or organizational psychology, engineering, science or other technical or analytical related field and ten years of experience in performing the above duties or aviation‑related experience.
• Doctorate degree may be waived with a master’s degree in psychology, industrial or organizational psychology, engineering, science or other technical or analytical related field and twelve years of experience in performing the above duties or aviation‑related experience.
• Master’s degree may be waived with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, industrial or organizational psychology, engineering, science or other technical or analytical related fields and seventeen years of experience in performing the above duties or aviation‑related experience.
• U.S. Citizen or Green Card Permanent Resident (minimum 3+ years of U.S. residency) and Public Trust approval.