Everforth ECS is seeking a Scientist Engineer III to work in our Arlington, Virginia office.
Please Note: This position is contingent upon contract award.
Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000
Position Overview
Everforth ECS is seeking a Scientist Engineer III to serve as a senior technical advisor to DARPA MXO program managers. You will evaluate complex research programs, test whether technical approaches remain credible as evidence develops, and help translate advanced science and engineering into executable program decisions and mission-relevant outcomes.
You will join an integrated scientific, engineering, and program support team that works alongside DARPA program managers from early concept development through program execution, testing, transition, and closeout.
About DARPA MXODARPA's Multi X Office applies the physical sciences across scales and disciplines to create mission-relevant capabilities. Its work extends from materials at the atomic, molecular, and cellular scales to components, tools, processes, systems, and architectures that can reshape future military operations and strengthen the U.S. technology base.
- Materials and components beyond traditional CMOS foundations, with an emphasis on resilient, secure, and attack-resistant systems
- New tools, processes, manufacturing approaches, and domestic supply chains for critical technologies
- New modalities for sensing, orienting, computing, communicating, and producing mission effects
- Technical domains that include effects, energy, quantum science, organics and materials, new compute, robotics, and photonics
Depending on program assignment, your work may involve these areas or other emerging MXO priorities. Learn more about DARPA MXO
What You Will Do- Lead technical assessments, trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and post-test evaluations for high-risk R&D programs.
- Examine performer plans and results across disciplines; identify critical assumptions, integration challenges, and program-level consequences.
- Develop recommendations on technical direction, milestones, risk reduction, testing, scope changes, and transition planning.
- Support new program formation through technology scouting, needs analysis, feasibility assessments, and senior-level technical briefings.
- Advise DARPA program managers on program planning, technical execution, cost, schedule, risk, and transition considerations throughout the R&D lifecycle.
- Assess performer progress through technical reviews, site visits, laboratory results, tests, demonstrations, and other program events; identify concerns early and recommend practical risk-reduction actions.
- Coordinate with performers, Government partners, test organizations, transition stakeholders, and other technical experts to keep complex efforts moving toward measurable program objectives.
- Develop clear technical and programmatic products for DARPA leadership and external stakeholders, including review briefings, decision materials, trip reports, technical assessments, and program documentation.
- Support the development of new program concepts by researching emerging science and technology, evaluating military relevance and feasibility, and contributing to trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and new-start materials.
- Provide independent, objective advice while protecting sensitive information and complying with all security, organizational conflict-of-interest, and Government requirements.
- Travel may include locations within and outside the continental United States and occasional international travel in support of program reviews, tests, demonstrations, or partner engagement.
- Master's degree
- 12 or more years of relevant experience
- U.S. citizenship required for security-clearance eligibility
- Progressively responsible experience planning and developing defense-related R&D projects involving unique, consequential, or controversial technical problems.
- Demonstrated skill conceiving, planning, and conducting research of considerable scope and complexity using novel approaches and sophisticated techniques.
- Ability to independently conduct rigorous analysis and recommend solutions and alternatives for complex R&D issues.
- Advanced command of the techniques, theories, and practices in the discipline for which the candidate provides expertise.
- Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills for technical and executive audiences.
Skills Required
- U.S. citizenship required for security-clearance eligibility
- Master's degree
- 12 or more years of relevant experience
- Progressively responsible experience planning and developing defense-related research and development projects involving unique, consequential, or controversial technical problems
- Demonstrated ability to conceive, plan, and conduct research of considerable scope and complexity using novel approaches and sophisticated techniques
- Ability to independently conduct rigorous analysis and recommend solutions and alternatives for complex research and development issues
- Advanced command of relevant technical discipline techniques, theories, and practices
- Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills for technical and executive audiences
ECS Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about ECS and has not been reviewed or approved by ECS.
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Healthcare Strength — ECS advertises multiple national-network medical plan options with HSA eligibility alongside dental and vision coverage. Coverage generally begins quickly and is paired with company-paid short- and long-term disability, adding stability to the health package.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with Safe Harbor and immediate vesting on employer contributions is emphasized, with an employer match available. Access to an employee stock purchase plan via the parent company provides an additional savings avenue.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave up to 30 days, adoption assistance, and other family-oriented leaves are highlighted. Feedback suggests these offerings add meaningful value beyond base pay for many roles.
ECS Insights
What We Do
ECS, a segment of ASGN (NYSE: ASGN), delivers advanced solutions and services in cloud, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), application and IT modernization, and science and engineering. The company solves critical, complex challenges for customers across the U.S. public sector, defense, intelligence and commercial industries. ECS maintains partnerships with leading cloud, cybersecurity, and AI/ML providers and holds specialized certifications in their technologies. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, ECS has more than 3,400 employees throughout the U.S. and has been recognized as a Top Workplace by The Washington Post for the last five years.
