Technical SETA SME

Guidehouse; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 115,200 - 172,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Mobility Stipend

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking Technical SETA SMEs to provide independent, objective systems engineering and technical expertise to government programs from Bethesda, MD. The role emphasizes technical rigor, acquisition support, and mission alignment as a trusted advisor rather than a contractor delivering products.

Roles span waveform RF, wireless, AI/ML, M&S, quantum computing, and more, with a requirement to be on client site five days a week in Bethesda.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with polygraph.
• Bachelor’s in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with 8+ years of related experience.
• Master’s in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with 4+ years of related experience.
• PhD in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with 2+ years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide unbiased systems engineering expertise across the full system lifecycle, including concept development, architecture design, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
• Review, analyze, and validate contractor technical deliverables, ensuring compliance with requirements, standards, and mission needs.
• Support requirements development and management, including traceability, verification methods, and acceptance criteria.
• Assist with program planning, acquisition strategies, risk management, scheduling, and technical baseline reviews.
• Develop and evaluate technical documentation such as interface control documents, system specifications, test plans, and engineering analyses.
• Support readiness assessments, design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and decision gates.
• Identify risks, issues, and opportunities and provide recommendations to government leadership.
• Conduct independent research, trade studies, and market assessments to inform program decisions.
• Ensure technical alignment with enterprise architectures, security policies, and cross-program integrations.
• Facilitate communication among stakeholders, including government customers, contractors, and mission partners.

Skills

Systems engineering

Acquisition support

Technical assessment

Systems integration

Education

Bachelor’s in STEM

Master’s in STEM

PhD in STEM

Job description

Travel Required

Up to 10%

Clearance Required

Active Top Secret SCI with Polygraph

What You Will Do

A Technical SETA provides independent, objective systems engineering and technical expertise to government program offices, ensuring programs are planned, designed, and executed effectively. This role supports the government as a trusted advisor rather than a contractor developing deliverables, focusing on technical rigor, acquisition support, and mission alignment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide unbiased systems engineering expertise across the full system lifecycle, including concept development, architecture design, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
• Review, analyze, and validate contractor technical deliverables, ensuring compliance with requirements, standards, and mission needs.
• Support requirements development and management, including traceability, verification methods, and acceptance criteria.
• Assist with program planning, acquisition strategies, risk management, scheduling, and technical baseline reviews.
• Develop and evaluate technical documentation such as interface control documents, system specifications, test plans, and engineering analyses.
• Support readiness assessments, design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and decision gates.
• Identify risks, issues, and opportunities and provide recommendations to government leadership.
• Conduct independent research, trade studies, and market assessments to inform program decisions.
• Ensure technical alignment with enterprise architectures, security policies, and cross-program integrations.
• Facilitate communication among stakeholders, including government customers, contractors, and mission partners.

Role

Guidehouse is currently looking for experts with experience in one or more of the following for these Technical SETA SME roles:

• Waveform & RF Communications
• Wireless Communications Systems
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)
• Modeling & Simulation (M&S)
• Quantum Computing
• Advanced Platforms & Systems Integration
• Computer Vision & Sensing Technologies
• Microelectronics & Next-Gen Hardware

These roles require 5 days a week on client site in Bethesda, MD.

What You Will Need

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED TS/SCI Federal or DoD security clearance with a polygraph
• Bachelor’s in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field with EIGHT (8) or more years of experience in related field
• Master’s in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field with FOUR (4) or more years of experience in related field
• PhD in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field with TWO (2) or more years of experience in related field

What Would Be Nice To Have

• ONE (1) year of experience in the Intelligence Community (IC), including experience with requirements, CONOPS, and transition
• Excellent writing/editing skills
• Excellent slide development/PowerPoint skills
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks

The annual salary range for this position is $115,200.00-$172,800.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits Include

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

Equal Opportunity Employment

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.