Senior Science Subject Matter Expert - Explosives Detection R&D

At Noblis and Noblis ESI, we have excellent teams of smart, collaborative, proactive experts and professionals. We are actively seeking to identify personnel to join our team of talented professionals who possess the experience, vision, commitment, and integrity to successfully support the strategic goals of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Office of Mission & Capability Support (MCS).

DHS S&T was established by Congress to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions to the nation's homeland security challenges. Within S&T, MCS executes Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) to transition solution approaches, technologies, and knowledge products in support of DHS Component customers including U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal, State, Local Tribal and Territorial (FSLTT) first responders, and the larger Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE). MCS covers all DHS mission areas and serves 13 discrete customer portfolios.

New teammates will support these efforts, as well as augment our existing team working on rapidly developing technology in response to evolving threats. This position is aligned to the DHS S&T MCS Transportation Security and Explosives Characterization (TSEC) Division.

This position requires staff to be in-person at the DHS S&T client site in Washington, DC and at additional locations in the National Capital Region as needed in accordance with the requirements of the contract up to five (5) days per week. By applying for this position, you acknowledge that working onsite is a requirement of this position and you will be readily available to do so, as required, within 90 days of beginning work on this program.

Specific role functions may include:

• Providing insight and advice concerning strategic and technical direction and applicability of current, industry standard or innovative solutions based on in-depth understanding of the latest developments relevant to a specialized functional area.
• Developing technical and strategic documentation for programs, projects and individual activities in collaboration with federal program and project managers.
• Overseeing, monitoring, and supporting government-sponsored research programs on leading-edge technologies.
• Evaluating the feasibility of technical approaches to problems and requirements presented by operational customers.
• Supporting the identification, assessment, evaluation, and testing of existing and emerging technologies, systems, and capabilities, including: coordination with related government, academic, and industry programs; attending meetings and symposia; coordinating meetings and program reviews; and supporting program advocacy including development and production of presentation materials.
• Assessing the efficacy, safety, and lifecycle costs of proposed or realized solutions.
• Concisely communicating findings, assessments, and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences as needed.
• Providing programmatic and technical presentations to varied audiences including customers, partners and stakeholders as required, at the direction of federal program and project managers.
• Actively participating in engagements with operational customers and stakeholders to include providing technical and scientific feedback and guidance in consultation with MCS program and project managers.
• Participating in meetings, workshops, conferences, and program reviews at the direction of the program or project manager to provide programmatic and technical reviews and feedback, summarize and synthesize information for federal project managers and teammates, and contribute to the technical and program management dialogue with research performers and relevant stakeholders.
• Assisting with the development and administration of RDT&E contracts, to include tasks such as: development of solicitation material, administration of source selection reviews, assessing technical solutions, and drafting technical content for statements of work.

• Monitoring project performance and reviewing deliverables to ensure technical, programmatic, and financial goals and objectives are met while identifying possible program risks.
• Coordinating with federal project and program managers to prepare for weekly sync meetings, briefings to matrix stakeholders and MCS leadership, and monthly/ad-hoc technical discussions with project performers.
• Providing support to Portfolio and Program Managers in their continued engagement with DHS S&T customers on the receipt, prioritization, and regular reporting of their operational capability gaps.
• Providing high level vision to program/project manager or senior leadership to influence objectives of complex efforts.
• Performing routine tasks including, but not limited to, scheduling, writing internal memos, maintaining and updating Program Management records, filing, intranet website maintenance, preparing and reviewing presentations, records maintenance, and coordinating daily operations of the assigned program.
• Coordinating, tracking, and providing assistance in responding to program-aligned S&T Executive Secretary data calls, compiling information, and preparing information for reporting to senior leadership, with a particular emphasis items requiring technical content and information.

• An advanced degree and at least 10 years of relevant experience, or a minimum of 15 years of experience and relevant certifications and degree equivalencies.   
• Evidence of technical strategic guidance, such as technology roadmaps, feasibility analysis, and market research regarding the boundaries of state-of-art technology.
• Demonstrated experience distilling complex technical topics, requirements, and concepts into plain language for diverse sets of stakeholders to include strong technical writing skills.
• Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• Applicants selected must be eligible to receive DHS Suitability and possess an active Top-Secret Clearance.

• An advanced degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated strong understanding of field detection limitations for chemical detectors, colorimetric kits, immunoassay products, and other screening technologies for explosives.
• Demonstrated experience with the development, analysis, or engagement in consulting or similar work related to explosives detection and capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to distill project requirements and maintain awareness of current explosives detection trends.
• Publications, patents, or other demonstrable evidence of expertise in the fields identified above.
• Demonstrated ability to manage data collection events from start to finish, including defining technical objectives of the data collection, ensuring data quality, and maintaining a data collection schedule.
• Demonstrated experience supporting technology transition from research and development into operational use.
• Demonstrated experience conducting in-depth research in support of studies and analyses.
• Demonstrated proficiency providing technical, program management and/or analytical support to programs and projects serving DHS Mission Areas such as Transportation Security, Explosives Detection, and Law Enforcement.
• Demonstrated experience monitoring project development performance and reviewing deliverables to ensure technical, programmatic, and financial goals and objectives are met and identify possible program risks.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills. Proven results-oriented problem-solving abilities. Experience with presentation graphics and/or spreadsheet tools.
• Demonstrated experience providing guidance, feedback, and consulting services to federal program managers and leadership.
• Demonstrated experience providing feedback and guidance to team members related to execution of deliverables and other assigned tasks.
• Demonstrated experience developing budgets and prioritizing resources.
• Ability to work in a dynamic team-oriented environment, demonstrate teamwork and initiative, and function productively in the face of new assignments and the re-prioritization of existing assignments.  
• Demonstrated experience providing program and/or project management support on research and development contracts. 
• Experience facilitating resolution of customer requirements, including helping to identify and document capability gaps, formulate and develop technological solutions, and participate in and contribute to strategic discussions.
• Experience supporting DHS components and agencies either operationally or through project management.
• Familiarity with intelligence community reporting channels and products.
• Active DHS Suitability is preferred.
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Noblis and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Noblis ESI, and Noblis MSD tackle the nation's toughest problems and apply advanced solutions to our clients' most critical missions. We bring the best of scientific thought, management, and engineering expertise together in an environment of independence and objectivity to deliver enduring impact on federal missions. Noblis works with a wide range of government clients in the defense, intelligence and federal civil sectors. Learn more at Noblis -About Us

Why work at a Noblis company?

Our employees find greater meaning in their work and balance the other things in life that matter to them. Our people are our greatest asset. They are exceptionally skilled, knowledgeable, team-oriented, and mission-driven individuals who want to do work that matters and benefits the public. Noblis has won numerous workplace awards. Noblis maintains a drug-free workplace.

*Remote/hybrid status is subject to change based on Noblis and/or government requirements

At Noblis we recognize and reward your contributions, provide you with growth opportunities, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work-life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Benefits page on our Careers site.

Compensation at Noblis is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements and applicable employment laws. The projected compensation range for this position is based on full time status. For part time or on-call staff, compensation is proportionately adjusted based on hours worked. While monetary compensation is important, it's just one component of Noblis’ total compensation package.

Noblis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race (as well as because of or on the basis of traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Noblis is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Noblis will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact employee-relations@noblis.org.