Expendable Countermeasures SME

Ataero is hiring!

Expendable Countermeasures Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Patuxent River, MD 

Active Secret Clearance Required; TS/SCI and SAP Eligibility Highly Desired

Who We Are

Founded in 2007, Atkinson Aeronautics & Technology, DBA Ataero, is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. We offer a broad range of technical services and aviation operations. We specialize in ITAR-compliant technology services, Course Development, Training and Simulation sales and services. We are proud to offer Subject Matter Expertise in manned and unmanned aviation systems and operations, Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO), Electronic Warfare, Information Operations, Program Management, Engineering, and Logistics.

We are fully committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We strongly believe in promoting diversity and inclusion within our workforce, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

As part of our commitment to affirmative action, we actively seek to attract a diverse pool of qualified candidates for employment opportunities. We strive to eliminate barriers that may impede equal access to employment, advancement, or training opportunities. We invite all qualified individuals to apply and are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment that values collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.

We thank you for taking the time to apply and look forward to reviewing your application.

Position Overview

Ataero is seeking an experienced Expendable Countermeasures Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Manager Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems. The selected candidate will provide technical expertise supporting the development, integration, testing, acquisition, fielding, sustainment, and modernization of airborne expendable countermeasure systems used to protect military aircraft from radar-guided, infrared-guided, and emerging threats.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to government leadership and engineering teams supporting chaff, pyrophoric flares, infrared countermeasures, RF decoys, countermeasure dispensing systems, and aircraft survivability equipment (ASE) across Naval Aviation platforms.

The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience supporting military aviation survivability systems, electronic warfare programs, aircraft self-protection systems, weapons integration, test and evaluation activities, and Department of Defense acquisition programs. Military aviation, NAVAIR, and Electronic Warfare experience are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise supporting expendable countermeasure systems including chaff, pyrophoric flares, infrared countermeasures, RF decoys, and associated dispensing systems.
• Support acquisition, modernization, sustainment, and lifecycle management efforts for aircraft survivability equipment and self-protection systems.
• Evaluate system requirements, operational effectiveness, threat responses, and countermeasure performance against current and emerging threats.
• Support integration of expendable countermeasure systems with aircraft mission systems, electronic warfare suites, radar warning receivers, missile warning systems, and avionics architectures.
• Participate in systems engineering activities including requirements development, architecture assessments, integration planning, testing, and fielding.
• Support developmental, operational, and integrated test planning and execution activities.
• Conduct engineering assessments, trade studies, risk analyses, and performance evaluations.
• Review technical specifications, engineering documentation, test plans, interface requirements, and acquisition artifacts.
• Support Configuration Control Boards (CCBs), Engineering Review Boards (ERBs), Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).
• Coordinate with government program offices, warfare centers, test organizations, fleet operators, laboratories, and industry partners.
• Provide technical recommendations regarding survivability improvements, capability upgrades, system integration, and future technology insertion.
• Prepare technical reports, engineering analyses, acquisition documentation, and executive-level briefings.
• Support classified programs and special access initiatives as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience supporting aircraft survivability equipment, expendable countermeasure systems, electronic warfare programs, military aviation platforms, or related defense systems.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense acquisition programs and systems engineering activities.
• Knowledge of airborne self-protection systems, threat warning systems, expendable countermeasure technologies, and aircraft survivability concepts.
• Experience supporting integration, testing, sustainment, or modernization of military aviation systems.
• Active Secret security clearance required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain higher levels of security access as required.

Desired Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• SAP eligibility.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting PMA-272, PMA-234, PMA-265, PMA-290, NAVAIR, NAWCAD, NAWCWD, or Joint Service aviation programs.
• Prior military service in Naval Aviation, Marine Aviation, Air Force Aviation, Army Aviation, Electronic Warfare, Weapons, Test, or Aircraft Survivability disciplines.
• Experience with ALE-47, ALE-55, ALE-70, Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM), missile warning systems, radar warning receivers, and aircraft survivability equipment programs.
• Experience supporting airborne electronic attack, electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO), electronic warfare systems, or mission systems integration efforts.
• DAWIA certification or equivalent acquisition experience.
• Experience supporting developmental testing (DT), operational testing (OT), live-fire testing, or fleet fielding activities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of expendable countermeasure systems, aircraft survivability equipment, and self-protection technologies.
• Understanding of radar-guided and infrared-guided threat environments and countermeasure employment concepts.
• Strong systems engineering, integration, and technical analysis skills.
• Ability to evaluate complex technical issues and develop practical recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, operators, acquisition professionals, and senior government leadership.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic acquisition environment.

Benefits We Have to Offer

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Disability and Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• Competitive Salary Based on Experience and Technical Qualifications
• 11 Paid Federal Holidays

Travel Required

Up to 10% Travel