Technical SETA - MTO

ECS; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is seeking a Technical Science, Engineering, and Technical Advisory candidate. This role involves providing onsite support to DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office, participating in project management, coordinating with the Department of Defense, and developing materials related to national security priorities. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in a relevant field, 5+ years of experience, and the ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance, alongside effective communication skills and a proactive approach in a multidisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience.
• Familiarity with multidisciplinary research programs.
• Research and development experience required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to quickly learn new topics and lead multidisciplinary research programs.

Responsibilities

• Support a DARPA program manager in project management.
• Coordinate meetings and assess technical progress.
• Develop materials to convey program status and needs.
• Develop briefing materials and write technical documents.
• Translate complex research into actionable program plans.

Skills

Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a DoD Secret clearance

Effective communication skills

Rapid learning of new subjects

Excellent written and oral comms

Learn quickly in multidisciplinaryenv

Education

PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering or similar

Job description

Job Description

ECS is seeking a Technical Science, Engineering, and Technical Advisory (SETA) candidate to provide onsite support to DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO). MTO is a unique technical office whose core mission is to develop high-performance intelligent microsystem and next-generation components to ensure U.S. dominance in Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), Electronic Warfare (EW), and Directed Energy (DE). The effectiveness, survivability, and lethality of these systems depend critically on the microsystems contained inside. MTO plays a key role in breakthroughs and innovative technologies, which requires a superior level of technical, analytical, financial, and general administrative support encompassing a broad range of expertise in technologies and disciplines for existing and future DARPA MTO efforts.

This position is contingent upon additional funding.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will support a DARPA program manager by participating in or leading all activities in project management, technical and programmatic risk analysis, program‑funded test coordination, and coordination with members of the Department of Defense for transition. The candidate will also be responsible for coordinating meetings, assessing performer technical progress, projecting performer outcomes, and ensuring that project management best practices are followed by performers, independent verification and validation (IV&V) entities funded by DARPA, and within DARPA itself. Duties range from developing point papers, slide decks, and other materials that convey the need, status, and importance of a program to researching unique problem‑set ideas to aid in National Security priorities.

Required Skills

• Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a DoD Secret clearance
• PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering or similar
• 5+ years of experience
• Ability to communicate effectively with excellent oral and written skills.
• Ability to learn new subjects and gain rapid insights into current and next‑generation research topics, preferably with hands‑on leadership of research programs at the performer level in multidisciplinary fields.

Desired Skills

• Experience working a program through its full life cycles
• Experience with technical research, development, and engineering experience across a breadth of applied technical projects
• Familiarity with the DARPA technical, programmatic, and contractual environment.
• Self‑starter who is willing to both take the lead and provide support in a team within a complex, fast‑paced, cross‑disciplinary work environment.

ECS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local jurisdiction law.