Advanced Ground Systems Acquisitions/PM SETA

Location: Chantilly, VA, US | Schedule: Full‑Time, Day shift | Travel: Yes – 10% of the time | Clearance: Active TS/SCI with polygraph (must be able to obtain) | Remote work: Potential for remote work (ORA_ON_SITE).

About the role

A U.S. Government program office conducting research and development (R&D) in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and advanced sensing seeks a subject‑matter expert (SME) to serve as a contractor Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) advisor. The SIGINT R&D Engineer will support Government leadership in managing a portfolio of R&D projects, emphasizing post‑award program execution, technical oversight, acquisition support, and budget execution. The role involves shepherding new project concepts through the acquisition process, assessing technical approaches and developer performance, and providing objective, technically informed recommendations to Government Program Managers and acquisition personnel. Experience with radio frequency (RF), electronic warfare (EW), and signals intelligence (SIGINT) technologies is required; R&D experience is preferred, and AI/ML experience is beneficial but not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide lifecycle acquisition, technical, and program‑management support to Government Program Managers, Contracting Officer’s Representatives/Technical Representatives, and Contracting Officers.
• Support the Government in managing a portfolio of RF, EW, SIGINT, and related R&D efforts.
• Advise Government leads on new project concepts, technical feasibility, acquisition pathways, program requirements, and execution considerations.
• Support post‑award contract execution, including monitoring technical performance, schedule, cost, funding, deliverables, and contractual requirements.
• Evaluate contractor and developer technical approaches, progress, and deliverables; identify technical risks, issues, dependencies, and opportunities; and provide recommendations to the Government.
• Develop and refine acquisition strategies, acquisition plans, program requirements, incentive arrangements, and supporting documentation.
• Draft and review acquisition documentation such as statements of work (SOWs), task orders, RFIs, RFPs, and required solicitation or contract attachments.
• Conduct market research and technical evaluations to support acquisition planning and Government decision‑making.
• Support acquisition activities conducted primarily under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and other applicable acquisition vehicles.
• Assist with development and maintenance of Contractor Bidders’ Libraries for supported acquisitions.
• Identify, assess, and support mitigation of risks related to technical performance, acquisition approach, schedule, funding, and program execution.
• Assist source‑selection activities in an advisory capacity, as directed by the Government.
• Analyze program requirements, contractor performance metrics, financial limitations, obligation and expenditure status, and integrated schedules.
• Support budget formulation and execution, monitoring funding availability, planned obligations, expenditures, and execution risks.
• Develop, maintain, or support program‑control artifacts, including integrated schedules, risk registers, action trackers, performance dashboards, and status reports.
• Track and facilitate programmatic reviews of developer Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) deliverables.
• Facilitate and document technical interchange meetings, program management reviews, and other programmatic or technical forums.
• Identify cross‑functional dependencies and coordinate required actions among Government program, technical, financial, contracting, and contractor stakeholders.
• Prepare concise written reports, executive‑level briefings, decision papers, meeting materials, and technical recommendations.
• Recommend improvements to acquisition, program‑management, technical‑review, and portfolio‑management processes.

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance with polygraph.
• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM or related technical discipline and nine (9) + years experience; or Master’s degree and seven (7) + years; or PhD/JD and four (4) + years. Additional relevant experience may substitute for a degree.
• Five or more years of experience supporting Government acquisition, program management, systems engineering, technical program execution, or related activities.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of SIGINT, RF, and EW systems, technologies, missions, or related R&D programs.
• Ability to evaluate technical approaches, contractor performance, and R&D deliverables and communicate findings to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Experience supporting post‑award contract or program execution, including performance, schedule, cost, funding, and risk monitoring.
• Strong critical‑thinking, analytical, problem‑solving, and professional‑judgment skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report preparation, leading or supporting group discussions, and delivering oral presentations.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and coordinate effectively across technical, acquisition, contracting, financial, and program‑management stakeholders.
• Ability to work on‑site in direct support of a Government program office.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting R&D programs involving advanced sensing, RF systems, EW, SIGINT, or related mission technologies.
• Familiarity with acquisition planning, solicitation development, source selection, and contract administration under FAR‑based processes.
• Knowledge of Interagency Agreements (IAAs) and Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests (MIPRs).
• Experience supporting or working with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
• Familiarity with AI, ML, advanced analytics, autonomy, or data‑driven R&D applications.
• Experience supporting technical interchange meetings, program management reviews, integrated product teams, or comparable Government‑contractor program forums.

Pay

Target salary range: $160,001 – $200,000 (typical range based on experience and other factors).