(Technical / Operational Advisor) Tactical Scientist

Red Drum Labs; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Drum Labs seeks a Tactical Scientist to bridge operational needs and technical development for a CWMD RDT&E effort. This embedded role requires translating complex mission requirements into actionable specifications, guiding scientists and engineers with authority to ensure operational viability and survivability in demanding environments.

The position is on-site at Fort Belvoir, VA, with mandatory travel and collaboration with government stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with ability to obtain higher access as required.
• Experience translating operational requirements into technical specifications for scientists and engineers.
• Background in U.S. special operations, counterterrorism, or related sensitive activities.
• Experience supporting or leading RDT&E efforts, capability development, or field experiments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the operational voice in technical development efforts, translating mission requirements into precise specifications for scientists and engineers.
• Conduct threat assessments, operational environment modeling, and risk analysis.
• Develop and refine CONOPS, mission threads, and courses of action through wargaming and effects-based planning.
• Plan and execute controlled tests, field experiments, and exercise integrations to evaluate capability performance.
• Provide reach-back analytical support and assist with integration of capabilities into operations.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

Operational translation

RDT&E experience

Wargaming methods

CONOPS development

Job description

Red Drum Labs LLC (RDL) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) delivering advanced security, technical, and mission-focused solutions in support of U.S. national security objectives. RDL’s team draws on decades of special operations, intelligence, and technical program experience to close the gap between emerging capability and operational reality.

This position is based on-site at Fort Belvoir, VA, with regular collaboration alongside government stakeholders, technical teams, and partner organizations. Travel is a core component of this role and is required for field experimentation, exercise integration, mission support, and stakeholder engagement. Travel may include time in operationally demanding or austere environments.

RDL is seeking a Tactical Scientist to serve as an embedded operational translator supporting a federal Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) effort. The Tactical Scientist brings elite subject-matter expertise drawn from the highest levels of special operations to bridge the gap between operational needs and technical development, guiding scientists and engineers with authority so that technology investments are driven by operational viability, lethality, and survivability rather than theoretical perfection.

This position sits at the intersection of operations and technology — translating complex, real-world mission challenges into precise technical requirements and helping shape capabilities before they reach the field.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the operational voice in technical development efforts, translating mission requirements into actionable, precise technical specifications for scientists and engineers.
• Conduct multi-source research and analysis, threat assessments, and operational environment modeling to identify risks and opportunities.
• Develop and refine Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), mission threads, and courses of action through wargaming and effects-based planning.
• Plan and execute controlled tests, field experiments, and exercise integrations to evaluate capability performance and suitability, and to collect user feedback for iterative refinement.
• Provide reach-back analytical support and real-time decision support, and assist with direct integration of developed capabilities into live or planned operations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Background in the highest levels of U.S. special operations, with direct experience in counterterrorism, counter-WMD, or related sensitive operations.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex operational requirements into technical specifications, and to communicate effectively with both operators and technical staff.
• Experience supporting or leading RDT&E efforts, capability development, or operational experimentation.
• Working knowledge of CONOPS development, wargaming, and effects-based planning methodologies.
• TS/SCI clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain eligibility for higher-level access as required.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, including to austere or non-permissive environments, as mission requirements dictate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience with Department of War (SOF, SMU, STO, or SAP background preferred), IC, or USG CWMD programs.
• Experience developing Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs) and Measures of Performance (MOPs) for capability assessment.
• Experience mentoring or advising technical teams in an operational advisory capacity.