DARPA Special Projects Office (SPO) Chief Action Officer

Amentum is a leading provider of engineering, scientific, and program management support services to some of the top agencies in the U.S. government, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the intelligence community.

An independent research and development (R&D) agency within the U.S. Department of War (DoW), DARPA was founded in response to the launch of Sputnik in 1957 and stands as our nation’s commitment to never again face a strategic technical surprise. DARPA programs focus on the fundamental research required to establish proof of concept. Performer teams define the path for putting new technologies into use in service of our nation’s warfighters, and transition partners lead the work of implementation, technology transfer, and commercialization. Additional information on DARPA is available here: https://www.darpa.mil/about#mission.

Amentum is seeking an experienced professional to support Special Projects Office (SPO) programs as a Chief Action Officer. This role will provide on-site strategic, programmatic, and technical support. The successful candidate will act as the program action officer and strategic advisor, working as the organizational and operational hub for a high-performing, multi-functional team. This role is essential for driving the formulation, acquisition, execution, and transition of a portfolio of advanced programs, ensuring objectives and milestones are met. As a primary liaison, this individual will streamline operations and maintain clear, concise communication across all team members, performers, government partners, and external stakeholders. The candidate should be conversant in topics related to space programs. This is a full-time, on-site position in Arlington, VA (Ballston area).

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, prepare for, and document key leadership and stakeholder meetings, including the development of agendas, briefing materials, and tracking of all follow-up actions
• Serve as the primary strategic liaison between the program team, senior leaders, and external stakeholders, ensuring consistent and clear communication regarding program strategy, updates, proposals, and planning
• Develop, maintain, and manage a comprehensive task tracking system to monitor progress on all action items and long-term objectives
• Provide strategic guidance on program formulation, acquisition strategies, execution, and the transition of mature programs to service partners
• Prepare, draft, and refine briefing documents, talking points, and other materials for both internal and external audiences, ensuring accuracy and clarity
• Lead and provide support for special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned by Program Director

Minimum Requirements:

• BS in Engineering or relevant technical field
• At least 10 years of relevant experience (program or project management specializing in space and autonomy programs)
• Must have an Active US Government Top Secret security clearance, with SCI eligibility. Please note US citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Excellent technical writing skills, including the ability to perform proof reading and quality control on technical documents and slides
• Excellent communication skills - both written (to include PowerPoint) and oral; must be able to concisely summarize and efficiently communicate the essential elements of a concept quantitatively and comprehensively
• Proactive and resourceful problem-solver with a demonstrated ability to anticipate needs, identify potential roadblocks, and take initiative without direct supervision
• Exceptional organizational skills and a proven track record of project management experience within a fast-paced technical environment
•  Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to operate as a central hub for a dynamic team
• The demonstrated professionalism, maturity, sound judgement, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills necessary for daily interactions with executive-level audiences in a dynamic, high-visibility Front Office environment
• Experience leading and coordinating technology transition activities with service partners and other key stakeholders
• Ability to work on-site at full-time at DARPA in Arlington, VA

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior DoW, DARPA, or other government R&D organization experience
• MS degree or higher
• Prior experience in an R&D environment

Compensation Details:

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview:

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)

• Educational reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Tax-saving options

• Disability and life insurance

• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting:

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed,  marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.