Senior Scientist

This position is contingent upon contract award and will provide onsite support to DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) in Arlington, Virginia. MTO plays a key role in breakthroughs and innovative technologies, requiring superior technical, analytical, financial, and administrative support across a broad range of technologies and disciplines for existing and future DARPA MTO efforts.

About the role

The successful candidate will support a DARPA program manager by participating in or leading activities in project management, technical and programmatic risk analysis, program-funded test coordination, and coordination with members of the Department of Defense for transition. Responsibilities include coordinating meetings, assessing performer technical progress, projecting performer outcomes, and ensuring project management best practices are followed by performers, independent verification and validation (IV&V) entities funded by DARPA, and within DARPA itself.

Responsibilities

• Develop point papers, slide decks, and other materials that convey the need, status, and importance of a program.
• Research unique problem set ideas to aid in National Security priorities.
• Provide senior-level expertise in planning and developing technical projects of a research and development nature, particularly those concerned with unique or controversial problems impacting major Department of Defense (DOD) programs.
• Conceive, plan, and conduct research in problem areas of considerable scope and complexity, requiring unconventional or novel approaches and sophisticated techniques.
• Independently conduct appropriate analysis to offer recommendations, solutions, and alternatives to resolve complex R&D issues, concerns, problems, or methods related to DARPA Technical Offices.
• Provide strategic scientific guidance on cutting-edge research initiatives in senior leadership roles within technical organizations.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Active DOD Secret clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• 15+ years of experience in progressively more difficult technical project planning and development, particularly in research and development.
• Demonstrated expertise in conceiving, planning, and conducting research in complex problem areas using unconventional or novel approaches.
• Recognition as an expert in your field of study or technology, with extensive published articles and demonstrated thought leadership within the broader scientific community.