Sr. Emerging Technology Assessment Lead (N)

SimIS Inc; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

Life Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Tuition Assistance Program

Professional Development

Paid Time Off

11 Federal Holidays

Job summary

SimIS Inc. in Norfolk, VA is seeking a Sr. Emerging Technology Assessment Lead to deliver comprehensive assessments of ED&T across AI, autonomous systems, quantum, hypersonics, biotech, and next‑gen networks, and to develop strategic recommendations for NATO capability development.

This onsite role supports NATO SACT through wargaming, modelling, and analysis, requiring a PhD and 15–20 years of experience in defense R&D and capability development.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required.
• Authored 5–10 peer‑reviewed articles on emerging technologies.
• 15–20 years of progressive experience in technology assessment, defense R&D, or capability development.
• Deep understanding of at least 3 of the 8 E&DT focus areas (AI, RAS, quantum, materials, hypersonics, energy, bio, networks).
• Working knowledge of NATO capability development processes and acquisition frameworks.
• Understanding of ethical, legal, and policy implications of autonomous systems, AI, and other dual‑use technologies.
• Familiarity with adversary technology development programs in Russia, China, and other strategic competitors.

Responsibilities

• Support the exploration, understanding, and assessment of EDT focus areas to enhance cooperation, planning, and information sharing with Allies, Partners and non‑NATO actors.
• Produce Research Papers exploring topics in depth from diverse sources.
• Deliver operating concepts for employing specified military capabilities.
• Deliver products supporting the planning, design, execution and analysis of technical trials, with evidence‑based findings.
• Strategic level analytical studies informing NATO’s long‑term strategy and decision‑making.
• Develop decision‑making aids that contribute to quantitative or qualitative decision‑making tools.

Education

Ph.D. in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related technical discipline

Job description

Sr. Emerging Technology Assessment Lead (N)

ONSITE

Who We Are Founded in 2007, SimIS Inc. is an innovative information technology solution Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) that models future environments, requirements, and capabilities, and then secures the enterprise from internal and external threats compliant with Federal, State, and industry standard governance to ensure client mission success. Our performance standard is “excellence,” with an outcomes-based, quality focus in our services and products, guided by our core values of honesty (in word and deed), relationships (confidence and trust with clients and partners), teamwork (shared goals, mission, and purpose), loyalty (allegiance to our client and team), and importance of others (work and win as a team). SimIS is currently recruiting for the listed position and is contingent upon award. The position is anticipated to be “on site.”

Job Description

NATO HQ Supreme Allied Command Transformation (NATO SACT) is seeking contract support for the Vendor-Augmented Next-Gen Guidance and Responsive Development (VANGARD) program. VANGARD gives HQ SACT timely access to the leading-edge information and quality support necessary to tackle challenges impacting NATO’s strategic, operational, and transformational concepts, and to contribute to the scoping, assessment, and development of capabilities through wargaming, modelling and simulation, capability planning, programming, experimentation, acceptance testing, etc. To support the VANGARD effort, SimIS seeks a Senior Emerging Technology Assessment Lead to provide comprehensive assessments of emerging and disruptive technologies (ED&T) across AI, autonomous systems, quantum, hypersonics, biotechnology, and next-generation networks and develop strategic recommendations for NATO capability development.

Experience Required

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related technical discipline.
• Authored 5-10 articles in peer-reviewed journals on emerging technologies.
• 15-20 years of progressive experience in technology assessment, defense R&D, or capability development.
• Deep understanding of at least 3 of the 8 E&DT focus areas (AI, RAS, quantum, materials, hypersonics, energy, bio, networks).
• Working knowledge of NATO capability development processes and acquisition frameworks.
• Understanding of ethical, legal, and policy implications of autonomous systems, AI, and other dual-use technologies.
• Familiarity with adversary technology development programs in Russia, China, and other strategic competitors.

Responsibilities

• Support the exploration, understanding, and assessment of EDT focus areas (such as Artificial Intelligence, robotic and autonomous systems, quantum technologies, novel materials and advanced manufacturing, hypersonic technologies, energy and propulsion technologies, biotechnology and human enhancement, next generation networks (e.g. 5G and 6G) and others) to enhance cooperation, planning and information sharing with Allies, Partners and non-NATO actors.
• Produce Research Papers exploring topics in depth, based on information from sources such as books, articles, interviews, and Internet sites.
• Deliver operating concepts for employing specified military capabilities in the achievement of a stated objective or aim.
• Deliver products supporting the planning, design, execution and analysis of technical trials, leading to the delivery of formal reports with an emphasis on evidence-based findings.
• Strategic Level Analytical Studies researching and analyzing NATO’s internal and external environments to inform long-term strategy and decision-making.
• Develop Decision-Making Aids that contribute to part or all quantitative or qualitative decision-making tools.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Short-Term Disability (at no cost to you) & Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Professional Development
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Federal Holidays each year

SimIS, Inc. is an EOE / M / F / Disability / VET / Drug Free Employer