Subject Matter Expert III

Position Overview

Everforth ECS is seeking a Subject Matter Expert III to work in our Arlington, Virginia office. This position is contingent upon contract award. The role requires recognized expertise in communications, engineering, or physics and involves advising DARPA MXO on research that pushes beyond conventional electronic approaches, combining new physics, materials, components, and architectures to create more capable and resilient ways to sense, compute, communicate, and generate mission effects.

About DARPA MXO

DARPA's Multi X Office applies the physical sciences across scales and disciplines to create mission‑relevant capabilities. Its work extends from materials at the atomic, molecular, and cellular scales to components, tools, processes, systems, and architectures that can reshape future military operations and strengthen the U.S. technology base. Focus areas include materials and components beyond traditional CMOS foundations, new tools and manufacturing approaches, domestic supply chains for critical technologies, and new modalities for sensing, orienting, computing, communicating, and producing mission effects. Technical domains span effects, energy, quantum science, organics and materials, new compute, robotics, and photonics.

What You Will Do

• Provide authoritative technical judgment on communications, applied physics, RF, photonics, devices, components, systems, or related research areas.
• Lead independent assessments of complex performer approaches, integration challenges, tests, failure investigations, and recovery strategies.
• Advise on new program concepts, technical milestones, evaluation criteria, system‑level consequences, and transition pathways.
• Build shared understanding among program managers, research performers, Government partners, test organizations, and senior leaders.
• Advise DARPA program managers on program planning, technical execution, cost, schedule, risk, and transition considerations throughout the R&D lifecycle.
• Assess performer progress through technical reviews, site visits, laboratory results, tests, demonstrations, and other program events; identify concerns early and recommend practical risk‑reduction actions.
• Coordinate with performers, Government partners, test organizations, transition stakeholders, and other technical experts to keep complex efforts moving toward measurable program objectives.
• Develop clear technical and programmatic products for DARPA leadership and external stakeholders, including review briefings, decision materials, trip reports, technical assessments, and program documentation.
• Support the development of new program concepts by researching emerging science and technology, evaluating military relevance and feasibility, and contributing to trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and new‑start materials.
• Provide independent, objective advice while protecting sensitive information and complying with all security, organizational conflict‑of‑interest, and Government requirements.
• Travel may include locations within and outside the continental United States and occasional international travel in support of program reviews, tests, demonstrations, or partner engagement.

Required Skills

• Master's degree
• 20 or more years of relevant experience
• U.S. citizenship required for security‑clearance eligibility
• Expert credentials or broad recognition as an authority in communications, engineering, physics, or a closely related discipline
• Mature judgment and extensive experience advising senior Government or research leaders on complex technical matters
• Ability to independently address consequential R&D engineering problems, resolve important questions, and plan and coordinate multidisciplinary work
• Advanced command of the techniques, theories, and practices required in the candidate's discipline
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Desired Skills

• Experience with basic and applied research and prior service as a DARPA program manager or senior SETA advisor
• Experience managing R&D programs from inception through closeout
• Fifteen or more years of experience with one or more DARPA programs
• Five or more years working with DARPA program managers

Pay

Salary Range: $180,000 - $210,000