Technical SETA SME

Guidehouse; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 115,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking Technical SETA SMEs in Bethesda, MD to provide independent, objective systems engineering and technical expertise to government program offices. The role emphasizes technical rigor, acquisition support, and mission alignment, rather than delivering contractor products.

Positions require active TS/SCI clearance with poly, a STEM degree with 8+ years (Bachelor), 4+ years (Master), or 2+ years (PhD) of related experience, and full-time on-site work five days a week at the

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 8+ years of related experience.
• Master’s degree in STEM with 4+ years of related experience.
• PhD in STEM with 2+ years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide unbiased systems engineering across the full lifecycle: concept, architecture, integration, testing, deployment, sustainment.
• Review and validate contractor technical deliverables for requirements compliance and mission needs.
• Support requirements management, traceability, verification, and acceptance criteria.

Skills

Waveform & RF Communications

Wireless Communications Systems

AI & ML

Modeling & Simulation

Quantum Computing

Advanced Platforms & Systems

Computer Vision & Sensing

Microelectronics & Hardware

Education

Bachelor’s degree (8+ yrs)

Master’s degree (4+ yrs)

PhD (2+ yrs)

Job description

Job Family

Communications Engineering (COE), Data Science & Analysis (ESA), Electrical Engineering (ELE), IT Architecture/Cloud (ESA), Mechanical Engineering (MCE), Modeling & Simulation Engineering (MSE), Production, Industrial, Material Engineering (MAE), Production, Industrial, Material Engineering (PIE), Research Physicists (PHY), Research Scientists (SCI), Software Engineering (SWE), Specialized Engineering (CHE), Subject Matter Experts - Professional (SMP), Subject Matter Experts - Technical (SMT), Systems Engineering (SYE)

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.

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

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 EIGTH (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

About Guidehouse

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.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [e-mail]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [e-mail]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.

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.