Senior Acquisition SME — Mission Modernization

Job Description

Agile Defense is seeking a Senior Acquisition SME to support software acquisition modernization efforts across operational mission environments within the Department of Defense. This role will serve as a senior acquisition modernization specialist focused on accelerating mission capability delivery through adaptive acquisition strategies, transition planning, modernization enablement, and cross-functional coordination supporting complex software-intensive environments.
 
This opportunity is focused on helping operational stakeholders and technical teams navigate modern software acquisition approaches, rapid capability delivery efforts, and transition pathways supporting mission-focused modernization initiatives.
 
The Senior Acquisition SME will work closely with operational users, technical modernization teams, acquisition organizations, and enterprise stakeholders to help bridge the gap between mission needs, acquisition execution, and sustainable modernization outcomes.
 
The ideal candidate combines deep acquisition and modernization experience with strong operational awareness, stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-moving, ambiguous environments. They are comfortable developing modernization strategies, supporting adaptive acquisition approaches, and helping accelerate software-enabled mission capabilities across complex operational settings.
 
As part of Agile Defense’s broader modernization ecosystem, this role will contribute to the development of reusable acquisition playbooks, modernization frameworks, and transition strategies supporting future mission growth and distributed modernization initiatives across defense organizations.
 
Key Responsibilities:

Acquisition Modernization and Transition Strategy
• Support software acquisition modernization initiatives focused on accelerating mission capability delivery within complex operational environments
• Develop acquisition strategies, transition approaches, and modernization pathways supporting agile software delivery and long-term sustainment objectives
• Help align acquisition, budgeting, operational, and technical activities supporting modernization acceleration efforts
• Support modernization efforts involving adaptive acquisition approaches, rapid capability delivery, software transition planning, and operational integration 
 
Operational Mission Support
• Partner with operational stakeholders, technical teams, and modernization leaders to identify and address acquisition barriers impacting mission delivery timelines
• Support cross-functional modernization engagements involving software delivery acceleration, transition planning, and modernization strategy development
• Coordinate closely with distributed technical teams and enterprise modernization partners supporting geographically dispersed mission environments
• Provide executive-level reporting on acquisition modernization efforts, operational risks, transition considerations, and mission support activities 
 
Enterprise Acquisition Integration
• Develop reusable acquisition playbooks, modernization guidance, and transition frameworks supporting scalable mission modernization efforts across distributed operational environments
• Translate operational acquisition lessons learned into enterprise modernization recommendations and reusable acquisition best practices
• Support Agile Defense modernization initiatives focused on improving software acquisition execution, modernization scalability, and mission delivery responsiveness
• Contribute to long-term modernization strategy efforts supporting future mission growth across additional defense organizations and operational environments

Education and Background

• 10+ years of experience across DoD acquisition, software-intensive program management, contracting, modernization strategy, or defense technology delivery environments
• 3+ years in a senior acquisition, modernization, or operational support role supporting software-focused initiatives 
  

Required Skills

• Experience supporting adaptive acquisition approaches, software modernization efforts, or rapid capability delivery initiatives within operational or regulated environments
• Strong understanding of software acquisition modernization principles, transition planning, budgeting considerations, and modernization execution challenges
• Ability to translate operational and organizational challenges into actionable acquisition strategies and modernization approaches
• Experience working across operational stakeholders, acquisition organizations, and technical delivery teams within fast-moving mission environments
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional coordination skills

Preferred Skills

• Experience supporting software modernization initiatives within Combatant Command, joint, or operational defense environments
• Familiarity with modern software acquisition approaches, rapid capability delivery models, or non-traditional acquisition environments
• Experience supporting software transition planning, operational modernization initiatives, or mission-focused technology efforts
• Familiarity with software factories, innovation organizations, modernization ecosystems, or transformation-focused defense initiatives
• Exposure to AI/ML-enabled operational workflows, software modernization efforts, or data-centric mission environments preferred
• DAWIA certification or equivalent acquisition/program experience preferred

Working Conditions

Primary work will be conducted on-site within the Northern Virginia / Pentagon corridor area in support of distributed modernization efforts and mission stakeholder engagement. CONUS and limited OCONUS travel (e.g. HI, US) supporting operational modernization initiatives and mission coordination is expected.

• Happy - Be Infectious. Happiness multiplies and creates a positive and connected environment where motivation and satisfaction have an outsized effect on everything we do.
• Helpful - Be Supportive. Being helpful is the foundation of teamwork, resulting in a supportive atmosphere where collaboration flourishes, and collective success is celebrated.
• Honest - Be Trustworthy. Honesty serves as our compass, ensuring transparent communication and ethical conduct, essential to who we are and the complex domains we support.
• Humble - Be Grounded. Success is not achieved alone, humility ensures a culture of mutual respect, encouraging open communication, and a willingness to learn from one another and take on any task.
• Hungry - Be Eager. Our hunger for excellence drives an insatiable appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, propelling us forward in the face of new and unprecedented challenges.
• Hustle - Be Driven. Hustle is reflected in our relentless work ethic, where we are each committed to going above and beyond to advance the mission and achieve success.