Subject Matter Expert (SME) Analyst - Test, Evaluation, for Emerging Technology

Noblis; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

Noblis seeks a Test, Evaluation, and Emerging Technology SME Analyst to support DHS/CBP technology programs, planning and executing field evaluations, shaping metrics, and delivering evidence-based recommendations. The role emphasizes on-site work in Washington, DC with hybrid flexibility and up to 25% travel.

Ideal candidates have advanced degrees and extensive experience in test and evaluation for mission-critical systems, with strong writing and briefing skills for senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Advanced Degree with 10+ years of related experience or 15+ years of related experience.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Eligibility to obtain a DHS Suitability determination.

Responsibilities

• Plan test events, assessment plans, objectives, criteria, schedules, data needs, test conditions, risks, and stakeholder roles for emerging technology evaluations.
• Coordinate demonstrations, field assessments, logistics, data collection, user feedback, and after-action reporting.
• Elicit and validate user, stakeholder, and operational requirements to shape evaluation activities.
• Define performance, usability, compliance, transition readiness, and mission impact metrics with government partners and technical teams.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative results using Excel, Python, R, Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools.
• Draft test plans, capability reports, system assessments, and leadership briefings.

Skills

Test planning

Field execution

Requirements elicitation

Metrics development

Data analysis

Technical documentation

Transition planning

Stakeholder coordination

Compliance evaluation

Education

Advanced degree

Tools

Excel

Python

R

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Responsibilities

At Noblis and Noblis ESI, we have excellent teams of smart, collaborative, proactive experts and professionals. We are actively seeking a Test, Evaluation, and Emerging Technology SME Analyst to support a Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) mission and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) technology program that identifies, evaluates, documents, and transitions emerging commercial technologies for operational users.

DHS and CBP mission partners rely on rigorous technical evaluation, operational feedback, performance reporting, and transition planning to determine which technologies are ready to move from demonstration to field use. The Subject Matter Expert (SME) Analyst will bring deep test and evaluation (T&E) experience to plan test events, validate requirements, shape metrics, evaluate results, and translate technical evidence into practical recommendations for government leaders and component stakeholders.

Role Focus: This role is intended for a hands‑on T&E practitioner who can plan and execute field assessments, define credible metrics, analyze test results, and translate findings into decision‑ready recommendations.

This work is performed on client site in Washington, DC or at remote sites as required in accordance with the requirements of the contract. Applicants must be located within the National Capital Region.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Planning test events: Developing test strategies, assessment plans, objectives, criteria, schedules, data needs, test conditions, risks, and stakeholder roles for emerging technology evaluations.
• Supporting field execution: Coordinating demonstrations, field assessments, logistics, data collection, user feedback, and after‑action reporting.
• Eliciting requirements: Gather and validate user, stakeholder, and operational requirements to shape credible evaluation activities.
• Building meaningful metrics: Partner with government stakeholders and technical teams to define performance, usability, compliance, transition readiness, and mission impact metrics.
• Analyzing test evidence: Evaluate quantitative and qualitative results using tools such as Excel, Python, R, Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms.
• Developing technical documentation: Draft test plans, capability reports, system assessments, project status reports, leadership briefings, and technical summaries.
• Supporting transition decisions: Translate T&E findings into go / no‑go, refine, sustain, transition, or disposition recommendations tied to acquisition, training, logistics, and field deployment considerations.
• Coordinating across stakeholders: Working with government leads, operators, vendors, technical SMEs, policy/compliance partners, and program teams to maintain alignment across planning, execution, reporting, and transition.
• Supporting compliance‑aware evaluation: Contributing to documentation and planning related to PTA, ATT, ATO, FOIA support materials, and other program artifacts as needed for commercial technology evaluations.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced Degree with 10+ years of related experience or 15+ years of related experience.
• Eligibility to obtain a DHS Suitability determination based on background investigation.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Degree or experience in engineering, science, data analytics, operations research, homeland security, public policy, logistics, business, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing T&E events, field assessments, pilots, demonstrations, or operational evaluations for technical, operational, homeland security, defense, law enforcement, or mission‑support systems.
• Experience developing test plans, assessment criteria, measures of effectiveness, measures of performance, data collection approaches, analysis plans, and evaluation reports.
• Experience gathering and validating user, stakeholder, and operational requirements to guide evaluation design.
• Ability to evaluate technology performance, operational suitability, user value, cost/resource implications, compliance considerations, and transition readiness.
• Strong technical writing and briefing skills, including the ability to communicate findings, risks, and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work primarily on‑site in Washington, DC, with hybrid flexibility based on customer and program needs.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Field Mobility: Ability to walk and stand for extended periods (up to 4‑8 hours) while conducting site assessments, inspections, or equipment evaluations on varied terrain including paved surfaces, gravel, and uneven ground.
• Lifting/Material Handling: Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 25 pounds unassisted; occasionally required to move heavier items with assistance or mechanical aids.
• Driving: Requires a valid driver's license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle for travel to field locations.
• Physical Engagement: Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching overhead, and climbing stairs or ladders as required during site inspections and equipment evaluations. Requires sufficient manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment and hand tools.
• Travel: This position requires travel up to 25% of the time, including to remote or austere field locations with limited amenities. Work may occur in outdoor environments subject to varying weather conditions.
• Work Environment: May include exposure to outdoor elements, industrial or construction‑adjacent settings, and environments with limited infrastructure.

Desired Qualifications

• DHS suitability or CBP background investigation; Secret clearance, preferred
• Experience supporting DHS, CBP, DHS S&T, DoD, the Intelligence Community, or other federal mission partners.
• Experience with emerging commercial technology evaluations, technology scouting, market research, RFIs, vendor engagement, pilots, demonstrations, or field assessments.
• Demonstrated experience drafting test strategies, test reports, capability reports, technical documentation, and executive‑ready briefings.
• Demonstrated experience collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing test data.
• Experience with DHS/CBP mission areas such as border security, screening, inspection, biometrics, sensors, communications, AI/ML, cybersecurity, logistics, or operator support.
• Experience using data analysis, dashboarding, or reporting tools such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Python, R, SharePoint, Teams, Jira, or kanban‑style action tracking.
• Familiarity with compliance and authorization artifacts such as Privacy Threshold Analysis, Authority to Test, Authority to Operate, FOIA support tracking, or related federal documentation.
• Experience coordinating field logistics, test site planning, trip itineraries, after‑action reporting, user surveys, operator feedback sessions, or stakeholder working groups.
• Professional certification or training in T&E, systems engineering, project management, data analytics, quality assurance, Lean Six Sigma, Agile, or related disciplines.

Overview

Noblis and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Noblis ESI and Noblis MSD, take on some of the nation’s toughest challenges, delivering advanced solutions to our customers’ most critical missions. We bring together leading scientific, engineering, and management expertise in a culture grounded in objectivity and collaboration, ensuring our work creates lasting impact across federal missions.

We work with a broad range of government agencies in the defense, intelligence, and federal civilian sectors. Learn more and find opportunities at careers.noblis.org

Why Work at Noblis

At Noblis, we share a passion for excellence and innovation, and we create an environment where people can do meaningful work while maintaining the balance that keeps them energized and fulfilled. We seek out individuals with a natural curiosity and desire to collaborate and learn. We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we consistently seek exceptionally skilled, mission‑driven professionals who care deeply about doing work that enriches lives and makes our nation safer.

Noblis has earned numerous workplace awards for our culture, our commitment to employee well‑being, and our dedication to meaningful, impactful work. We also maintain a drug‑free workplace.

Remote/hybrid status is subject to change based on Noblis and/or government requirements.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, pregnancy/childbirth and related medical conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us.

EEO is the Law | E-Verify | Right to Work

Total Rewards

At Noblis we recognize and reward your contributions, provide you with growth opportunities, and support your total well‑being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work‑life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full‑time and part‑time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Benefits page on our Careers site.

Compensation at Noblis

Compensation at Noblis is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract‑specific affordability, organizational requirements and applicable employment laws. The projected compensation range for this position is based on full time status. For part time or on‑call staff, compensation is proportionately adjusted based on hours worked. While monetary compensation is important, it's just one component of Noblis’ total compensation package.

Posted Salary Range

USD $115,500.00 - USD $180,525.00 /Yr.