Technical Assessment SME

Blackrock Strategy; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A defense consulting firm in New York seeks a Technical Assessment SME to evaluate emerging defense technologies for the Department of Defense. This role requires extensive experience with technical writing, experimental design, and communication with a variety of stakeholders. Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree and over 10 years in the field. The position offers a challenging environment focused on innovation in defense. Join us to contribute to missions that matter.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in DoD experimentation or technical programs.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and engage senior decision-makers.
• Exceptional technical writing and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute structured technical assessments of defense technologies.
• Design experiments across multi-domain operations.
• Deliver training and mentoring to assessment teams.

Skills

Technical writing

Cross-functional team leadership

Capability analysis

Experimental design

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree in engineering or systems analysis

Job description

Blackrock Strategy LLC delivers cutting‑edge solutions to national security challenges through advanced technology, operational expertise, and rapid deployment. Our teams support critical missions worldwide—where precision, agility, and innovation matter most. We value field‑proven skills, independent judgment, and a mission‑first focus.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced and forward‑leaning Technical Assessment SME to support the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) within the Directorate for Prototypes and Experiments (P&E). This role is instrumental in evaluating emerging technologies through rigorous assessments that inform senior Department of Defense (DoD) decision‑making.

The ideal candidate brings hands‑on experience in experimental design, technical writing, capability analysis, and cross‑sector collaboration, especially through engagements like T‑REX, LOEs, and multi‑domain test events.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute structured technical assessments of emerging defense technologies
• Design experiments and develop hypotheses across multi‑domain operations (land, sea, air, space, cyber)
• Deliver training and mentoring to internal and external technical assessment teams
• Create and refine assessment tools, templates, and repeatable methodologies
• Facilitate knowledge transfer through documentation, workshops, and onboarding support
• Support EMS/cyber‑informed assessments and red‑team activities
• Synthesize assessment findings into briefings and decision‑support materials
• Collaborate with DoD, military services, and other stakeholders to align with prototyping/experimentation efforts
• Serve as SME on experimentation methodology, TRL evaluations, and rapid prototyping risk
• Integrate lessons learned into a continuous improvement process for assessment enterprise

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in engineering, defense studies, or systems analysis preferred
• 10+ years’ experience in DoD experimentation, assessments, or technical programs
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and engage senior decision‑makers
• Demonstrated skill engaging stakeholders across government, academia, military, and industry
• Exceptional technical writing and documentation skills
• Knowledge of TRL/MRL frameworks, DOTMLPF‑P analysis, and defense innovation
• Experience with EMS monitoring, red‑team activities, or cyber analysis highly desirable
• Comfortable in dynamic, ambiguity‑rich environments under operational timelines

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior military UAS operations (e.g., 15W, 7314, or related MOS/AFSC)
• Experience supporting DoD operations, R&D, testing, or fielding
• Background in training development or knowledge transfer
• Degree in advanced technology or unmanned systems field
• Active DoD SECRET (with TS/SCI eligibility) or TOP SECRET clearance

Desired Attributes

• Self‑confidence balanced by professional humility
• Adaptability in high‑change environments
• Temperament to manage competing perspectives
• Perspective‑taking and cognitive flexibility
• Problem‑solving instincts in operational environments
• Conceptual capacity to translate plans into action
• Communication mastery, including persuasion, negotiation, and collaboration

Why Blackrock Strategy

We operate at the frontiers of defense innovation, commercial technology, and high‑trust consulting. We put people in the field who make a difference to do work that matters. Join us.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Blackrock Strategy is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a workplace free from discrimination and actively recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Blackrock Strategy also takes affirmative action to employ and advance veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact our Human Resources department at 256‑429‑3608.