Title: Technical Quantum Science SETA

Location: Springfield, VA

Eligibility/Clearance: This position requires an active TS/SCI clearance

Job Description:

Technical/Programmatic SETA:



We provide Scientific, Engineering, and Technical Assistance (SETA)

support to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in

Arlington, VA, an organization dedicated for over sixty years to making

investments in transformational technologies for national security.



The successful candidate will support a DARPA program manager in the

Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) by participating in or leading all

activities in project management, technical and programmatic risk

analysis, program-funded test coordination, and coordination with

members of the Department of Defense for transition. The candidate will

also be responsible for coordinating meetings, assessing performer

technical progress, projecting performer outcomes, and ensuring that

project management best practices are followed by performers,

independent verification and validation (IV&V) entities funded by DARPA,

and within DARPA itself.



The ideal candidate should possess technical research, development, and

engineering experience across a breadth of applied technical projects to

support new program development and ancillary analysis support for

ongoing program management. Support will transition to program

management and transition over the program lifecycle. Specific expertise

areas of interest are: quantum optics, AMO (atomic, molecular, optical)

physics, microwave superconducting qubits and circuits, ultrafast

optics, integrated photonics. A background in experimental physics and

an understanding of optics are required. Prior experience with

Department of Defense applications, testing, experimentation, and

transition is highly desired. Exemplary candidates will also have

demonstrated an ability to learn new subjects and gain rapid insights

into current and next-generation research topics, preferably with

hands-on leadership of research programs at the performer level in

multidisciplinary fields.



Responsibilities:



- Analysis of emerging science and technology R&D opportunities

through literature review; outreach to the research community;

summarizing, analyzing, and visualizing data in spreadsheet and

graphical forms



- Generating briefing materials and agency documents required for new

program approval



- Program management at all stages over the program lifecycle

including BAA drafting; feedback on proposals; interactions with

proposers and performers; meeting organization and participation;

transition partner and industry partner engagement



- Lead periodic performer assessments to analyze findings, assess

technical and schedule risks; develop management strategies;

communicate findings to program manager



- Technical evaluations and guidance on reports, briefings, and other

performer communications



- Presentation and report preparation



- Program administration, including development of technical analyses,

identification of technology gaps, technical risk management,

project cost estimation, technology transfer efforts, as well as

supporting technical reviews



- Attending and organizing program reviews/site visits/field tests



Requirements:



1. Ph.D Physics (can be Applied Physics or other variants).



2. Experience in experimental physics and an understanding of optics.



3. Experience in one ore more of the following technologies: quantum

optics, physical chemistry, high-energy/particle physics, and AMO

(atomic, molecular, optical) physics



4. The level of effort will be 100%, and on-site preferred.



5. U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain TS/SCI DoD security clearance

is required.



Desired capabilities and characteristics:



- Outstanding attention to detail



- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills



- Ability to quickly learn unfamiliar areas needed to broadly support

the PM’s portfolio spanning multiple domains of optics and

electronics



- Self-starter who is willing to both take the lead and provide

support in a team role in a complex, fast-paced, cross-disciplinary

work environment



- Strong organization skills with the ability to multi-task and

respond to quick turn-around requests



- Flexible and readily adaptable to change



- Demonstrated collaboration skills in a team atmosphere



- Passion for science and technology



- Nice to have: Skills in first-principles analysis and/or theoretical

physics



Some remote work may be possible.