Technical SETA SME

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Skills Development & Certifications

Employee Referral Program

Mobility Stipend

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking a Technical SETA SME to provide independent systems engineering and technical guidance to government programs in Bethesda, MD. The role emphasizes rigorous acquisition support and mission alignment, acting as a trusted advisor rather than a deliverables contractor.

Active TS/SCI with polygraph is required, with advanced STEM degrees and relevant field experience. This full-time on-site position spans the full lifecycle with cross-cutting expertise in RF/AI/ML and design

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph required.
• Bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
• Advanced degrees with years of related field experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent systems engineering expertise across the full lifecycle.
• Review and validate contractor technical deliverables for compliance.
• Support requirements development, traceability, and verification methods.
• Assist with program planning, risks, scheduling, and baselines.
• Develop and evaluate interface/control docs, system specs, tests, analyses.
• Support readiness, design reviews, and technical interchange meetings.
• Identify risks and opportunities; advise government leadership.
• Conduct research, trade studies, and market assessments.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise architectures and security policies.
• Facilitate communication among government customers, contractors, and partners.

Skills

Waveform & RF Communications

Wireless Communications Systems

AI & ML

Modeling & Simulation

Quantum Computing

Advanced Platforms & Systems

Computer Vision & Sensing Technologies

Microelectronics & Next-Gen Hardware

Systems engineering

Acquisition support

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

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.

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

Expertise areas

• 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 organization, problem-solving, and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks

Compensation & Benefits

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.

• 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

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 m