Sr. Scientist SME - Photonics

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plans

Life and disability insurance

Paid time away

Job summary

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) seeks a Senior Scientist SME-Photonics to provide onsite support in Arlington, VA.

The role focuses on optics, photonics, AI/ML, and related disciplines within DARPA thrust areas like Photonic Circuits, Quantum Circuits, Organic Circuits, and Unconventional Computing. The candidate should have a Masters degree in a technical field, 20+ years of experience, and an active Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a technical field.
• 20+ years of experience.
• Active Secret clearance.
• Ability to make independent decisions on R&D engineering problems and coordinate work.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Able to work fully onsite based on client needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide onsite support for existing and new programs in optics, photonics, physics, AI/ML, and related disciplines.
• Work on Photonic Circuits, Quantum Circuits, Organic Circuits, and Unconventional Computing thrust areas for DARPA.
• Collaborate with government personnel and senior staff to inform technology and acquisition decisions.

Skills

Decision making

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

SPA provides critical decision support to enabling and executing a strategy of technological superiority and enabling the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled in evaluating military problems, identifying the driving factors, devising innovative approaches, collecting applicable data, developing necessary software tools, and performing thorough and timely assessments to inform technology and acquisition governance decisions to ensure U.S. military forces retain military superiority in the future.

We have a near-term need for a Sr. Scientist SME-Photonics to provide onsite support out of Arlington, VA.

Responsibilities

We are seeking senior technical personnel to provide support for the successful execution of existing and new programs, and related technologies in the following areas: optics, photonics, physics, materials, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), mathematics, engineering, quantum, chemistry, biology, and/or other scientific disciplines and related efforts. These disciplines are applied to the following technical thrust areas: Photonic Circuits (PCs), Quantum Circuits (QCs), Organic Circuits (OCs), and Unconventional Computing. Specifically, DARPA is interested in a candidate with uniquely qualifying research, credentials, or education, and is universally recognized as the expert/authority in a highly specified area.

Qualifications

Required:

• Masters degree in one of the above technical fields
• 20+ years' experience
• Active Secret clearance
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions independently on R&D engineering problems and methods, in resolving important questions, and planning and coordinating work
• Demonstrated experience in the use of advanced techniques, theories, precepts, and practices in a scientific or technological discipline
• Mature judgement required to advise senior government personnel; strong oral and written communication skills
• Able to work fully onsite based on client needs

Desired:

• Experience with basic and applied research and prior experience as a government technical Program Manager or senior SETA
• Experience managing R&D programs from inception to closeout

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. VA Pay Transparency Salary range: $200K-$250K