Cognitive Performance Specialist

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

$83K — $113K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in a relevant field (Cognitive Science, Performance Psychology, etc.)
  • 3+ years of experience in cognitive performance or sport psychology, preferably with military or elite athletes
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Secret or Top Secret clearance
  • Certification in heart rate variability (HRV) training preferred
  • Experience working with high-performance individuals or groups under pressure

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement cognitive performance training programs
  • Educate military personnel on mental performance and psychological skills
  • Advise program managers on cognitive and mental performance strategies
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and document outcomes
  • Provide training on cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and goal setting

Benefits

  • 401K with company match
  • Comprehensive health and wellness packages
  • Internal mobility team for career development
  • Professional growth opportunities with funded education and certifications
  • Paid vacation and holidays
Full Job Description

Type of Requisition:

Pipeline

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess:

Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:

Top Secret

Public Trust/Other Required:

None

Job Family:

Healthcare Services

Job Qualifications:

Skills:

Adaptive Thinking, Human Performance, Performance Improvements, Researching, Training and Education

Certifications:

None

Experience:

3 + years of related experience

US Citizenship Required:

Yes

Job Description:

The Cognitive Performance Specialist provides evidence‑based cognitive, psychological, and behavioral skills training to enhance mental performance and readiness. The CPS develops, implements, and evaluates cognitive performance programs that strengthen attention, adaptability, learning, emotional regulation, and decision‑making under pressure. This role collaborates across the Human Performance team to improve overall performance, readiness, and resilience.

HOW A COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:

  • Utilize on evidence-based and/or peer-reviewed literature to train and educate SOF personnel, in individual and group settings, in specific cognitive, mental, behavioral, psychosocial, perceptual, learning, adaptive thinking, human engagements, and emotional control skills, and strategies – including understanding, acquisition, and retention – performance improvement and maintenance with documentation of work performed, implemented, and provided to SOF personnel.
  • Assist and advise the POTFF Program Manager/Coordinator or Government Lead in matters relating to mental performance, and sport psychology.
  • Provide information, education, and training about cognitive performance related to exercise and sports psychology factors in sports and physical activity.
  • Provide education and training on executive function, sleep, self-regulation, attention, and other cognitive functions as needed. This could include areas such as memory, skill acquisition, goal setting, performance profiling, visualization, performance development, and planning.
  • As a subject matter expert for this labor category, the primary role is for the purpose of enhance and preservation of the cognitive, physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being of Service Members, which includes the documentation of those services offered in the HP Enterprise-wide platforms (i.e., HPDMS, etc.) as directed by the USSOCOM Directive 10-12. Adjustments to the productivity level for this labor category may vary due to client population, local mission set, or additional administrative taskings. Additional duties as assigned through local leadership must be documented and approved through local POTFF leadership.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO SUCCEED:

EDUCATION:

  • Master’s degree in human performance, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Cognitive Science, Cognitive Neuroscience, Sport Sciences, Performance Psychology, Psychology, or mental health discipline with a specialization in Performance Psychology. Doctoral degree preferred.
  • Minimum of three (3) years or more post-graduate degree of demonstrable accumulated experience (continuous and sustained experience preferred) as a cognitive performance practitioner or Sport Psychologist with military members, athletes, groups of athletes at the levels of NCAA Collegiate, Olympic, professional sports, tactical setting, or with individuals or groups requiring high levels of mental and physical performance (experience with Special Operations personnel preferred).
  • Certification of training for heart rate variability (HRV) through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) or a relevant certification through BCIA or at least one (1) year of demonstrable experience delivering HRV training in a high- performance setting and be willing to obtain the BCIA HRV certificate of completion for HRV within one (1) year of hire.
  • May be required to receive and maintain certifications relevant to cognitive enhancement as required by hiring Unit, such as BCIA biofeedback certification.

CLEARANCE: Secret or Top-Secret Clearance, or the ability to obtain clearance.

LOCATION: Various OCONUS & CONUS SITES

This is a contingent posting, expected to start in 2027.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE:

  • 401K with company match
  • Comprehensive health and wellness packages
  • Internal mobility team dedicated to helping you own your career
  • Professional growth opportunities including paid education and certifications
  • Cutting-edge technology you can learn from
  • Rest and recharge with paid vacation and holidays

#MilitaryHealthGDITJobs

The likely salary range for this position is $83,927 - $113,549. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Travel Required:

Less than 10%

Telecommuting Options:

Onsite

Work Location:

USA NC Fort Bragg

Additional Work Locations:

USA GA Fort Benning - Customer Proprietary (GAC101), USA GA Hunter AAF, USA KY Fort Campbell, USA VA Dam Neck

Total Rewards at GDIT:

Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

 


Our Identity Verification Process:

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.

 

 

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