Subject Matter Expert III

ecsfederal; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Everforth ECS is seeking a Subject Matter Expert III to join our Arlington, Virginia office and advise DARPA MXO on advanced research that pushes beyond conventional electronic approaches. The role centers on delivering authoritative technical judgment and coordinating complex program activities.

You will lead assessments, advise on program concepts and transition pathways, and build shared understanding among program managers, Government partners, and researchers throughout the R&D lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• 20+ years of relevant experience.
• U.S. citizenship required for security-clearance eligibility.
• Expert credentials or broad recognition in communications, engineering, or physics.
• Mature judgment and extensive experience advising senior Government or research leaders.
• Ability to independently address consequential R&D engineering problems and coordinate multidisciplinary work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced command of the techniques, theories, and practices in the candidate's discipline.

Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative technical judgment on communications, applied physics, RF, photonics, devices, systems.
• Lead independent assessments of complex performer approaches, integration challenges, tests, failure investigations, and recovery strategies.
• Advise on new program concepts, milestones, evaluation criteria, system-level consequences, and transition pathways.
• Build shared understanding among program managers, research performers, Government partners, test organizations, and senior leaders.
• Advise DARPA program managers on program planning, technical execution, cost, schedule, risk, and transition considerations throughout the R&D lifecycle.
• Assess performer progress through technical reviews, site visits, laboratory results, tests, demonstrations, and other program events; identify concerns early and recommend practical risk-reduction actions.
• Coordinate with performers, Government partners, test organizations, transition stakeholders, and other technical experts to keep complex efforts moving toward measurable program objectives.
• Develop clear technical and programmatic products for DARPA leadership and external stakeholders, including review briefings, decision materials, trip reports, technical assessments, and program documentation.
• Support the development of new program concepts by researching emerging science and technology, evaluating military relevance and feasibility, and contributing to trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and new-start materials.
• Provide independent, objective advice while protecting sensitive information and complying with all security, organizational conflict-of-interest, and Government requirements.
• Travel may include locations within and outside the continental United States and occasional international travel in support of program reviews, tests, demonstrations, or partner engagement.

Skills

Communications

Engineering

Physics

Advisory experience

Education

Master’s degree

Job description

Everforth ECS is seeking aSubject Matter Expert IIIto work in ourArlington, Virginiaoffice.

Salary Range: $180,000 - $210,000

Position Overview

Everforth ECS is seeking a Subject Matter Expert III with recognized expertise in communications, engineering, or physics. You will advise DARPA MXO on research that pushes beyond conventional electronic approaches, combining new physics, materials, components, and architectures to create more capable and resilient ways to sense, compute, communicate, and generate mission effects.

You will join an integrated scientific, engineering, and program support team that works alongside DARPA program managers from early concept development through program execution, testing, transition, and closeout.

About DARPA MXO

DARPA's Multi X Office applies the physical sciences across scales and disciplines to create mission-relevant capabilities. Its work extends from materials at the atomic, molecular, and cellular scales to components, tools, processes, systems, and architectures that can reshape future military operations and strengthen the U.S. technology base.

• Materials and components beyond traditional CMOS foundations, with an emphasis on resilient, secure, and attack-resistant systems
• New tools, processes, manufacturing approaches, and domestic supply chains for critical technologies
• New modalities for sensing, orienting, computing, communicating, and producing mission effects
• Technical domains that include effects, energy, quantum science, organics and materials, new compute, robotics, and photonics

Depending on program assignment, your work may involve these areas or other emerging MXO priorities. Learn more about DARPA MXO

What You Will Do

• Provide authoritative technical judgment on communications, applied physics, RF, photonics, devices, components, systems, or related research areas.
• Lead independent assessments of complex performer approaches, integration challenges, tests, failure investigations, and recovery strategies.
• Advise on new program concepts, technical milestones, evaluation criteria, system-level consequences, and transition pathways.
• Build shared understanding among program managers, research performers, Government partners, test organizations, and senior leaders.
• Advise DARPA program managers on program planning, technical execution, cost, schedule, risk, and transition considerations throughout the R&D lifecycle.
• Assess performer progress through technical reviews, site visits, laboratory results, tests, demonstrations, and other program events; identify concerns early and recommend practical risk-reduction actions.
• Coordinate with performers, Government partners, test organizations, transition stakeholders, and other technical experts to keep complex efforts moving toward measurable program objectives.
• Develop clear technical and programmatic products for DARPA leadership and external stakeholders, including review briefings, decision materials, trip reports, technical assessments, and program documentation.
• Support the development of new program concepts by researching emerging science and technology, evaluating military relevance and feasibility, and contributing to trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and new-start materials.
• Provide independent, objective advice while protecting sensitive information and complying with all security, organizational conflict-of-interest, and Government requirements.
• Travel may include locations within and outside the continental United States and occasional international travel in support of program reviews, tests, demonstrations, or partner engagement.

• Master's degree
• 20 or more years of relevant experience
• U.S. citizenship required for security-clearance eligibility
• Expert credentials or broad recognition as an authority in communications, engineering, physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Mature judgment and extensive experience advising senior Government or research leaders on complex technical matters.
• Ability to independently address consequential R&D engineering problems, resolve important questions, and plan and coordinate multidisciplinary work.
• Advanced command of the techniques, theories, and practices required in the candidate's discipline.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.