Job DescriptionA U.S. Government (USG) 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 research and development projects. The role emphasizes post-award program execution, technical oversight, acquisition support, and budget execution. The successful candidate will help shepherd new project concepts through the acquisition process; assess technical approaches and developer performance; and provide 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; 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.
- Support development and refinement of acquisition strategies, acquisition plans, program requirements, incentive arrangements, and supporting documentation.
- Draft and review acquisition documentation, including statements of work (SOWs), task orders, requests for information (RFIs), requests for proposals (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), as well as other applicable acquisition vehicles and pathways.
- 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.
- Support 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 activities, including 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.
QualificationsRequired Qualifications- Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance with polygraph
- Bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a related technical discipline and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience. Additional relevant experience may substitute for a degree requirement
- Five or more years of relevant 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
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate technical approaches, contractor performance, and R&D deliverables and communicate findings to technical and nontechnical 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 the ability to prepare reports, lead or support group discussions, and deliver 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 research and development programs, particularly those 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 acquisition processes.
- Familiarity with 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.
