--- title: Senior Subject Matter Expert Defense R&D description: AMERICAN SYSTEMS is hiring for the Senior Subject Matter Expert Defense R&D role in Arlington, VA. See the full description and apply. type: job url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/senior-subject-matter-expert-defense-r-and-d-at-american-systems-01a0b3a9-ef01-7f3c-b395-e7fdb9174405 date: 2026-11-15T01:26:44Z og_description: Join AMERICAN SYSTEMS as Senior Subject Matter Expert Defense R&D in Arlington, VA. Pays $225K–$250K per year. Part-time role. og_image: https://www.foundrole.com/og/ldjz4y.png breadcrumbs: - label: Home url: https://www.foundrole.com/ - label: Search url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs --- | | | |---|---| | **Company** | AMERICAN SYSTEMS | | **Location** | Arlington, VA | | **Salary** | $225K/yr - $250K/yr | | **Type** | Part Time | | **Posted** | Oct 19, 2026 | ## Is this job real? **Ghost job check:** A · Low risk. Probably a real opening. ## Visa sponsorship - **H-1B:** No H-1B sponsorship on record for AMERICAN SYSTEMS. - **E-Verify:** No E-Verify enrollment on record for AMERICAN SYSTEMS. ## Pay for similar jobs Most similar jobs pay $136,000 – $195,000 a year (median $176,000). ## Description ## Overview **AMERICAN SYSTEMS** is an employee-owned federal government contractor supporting national priority programs through our strategic solutions in the areas of Information Technology, Engineering & Analysis, Test & Evaluation, and Training. ## Responsibilities AMERICAN SYSTEMS is recruiting for multiple SMEs in R&D fields including communications technologies, microelectronics, RF engineering, and cryptography. Working on the Department of War critical technology areas offers a dynamic, fast-paced environment at the forefront of advancing national defense capabilities in areas such as Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance, Applied AI, Scaled Hypersonics, and more. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the Department’s most critical modernization efforts. This project requires a high level of professionalism and a commitment to shaping the future of national security capabilities. As a Subject Matter Expert for Defense R&D you will have the opportunity to do the following: - Support the office leadership as a subject matter expert in your technology domain. - Advise senior DoW leadership on strategic direction, technology modernization priorities, and emerging capability gaps relevant to the portfolio. - Develop technology roadmaps, strategic assessments, presentations, and executive-level products to support modernization initiatives and investment planning. - Coordinate and engage with the RDT&E community including government laboratories, industry, academia, FFRDCs, UARCs, and international partners. - Analyze and track technical programs across the Department; assist in technical evaluations, requirements development, and transition planning. - Prepare briefings, reports, white papers, and other business and technical products in support of senior leadership decision-making. ## Qualifications - 15 years of experience in the Scientific, Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation sector for Industry, Academia, or Government relevant to the technical focus of the applicable office. - PhD in a relevant hard science or engineering discipline (e.g., Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science). - Demonstrated experience supporting the DoW RDT&E community and working with senior technical and acquisition stakeholders. - Expertise in one or more of the following technology domains: communications, microelectronics, RF engineering, cryptography, space technology, cyberspace operations, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, directed energy, battlespace awareness, electronic warfare - Must have a current and active TS clearance with SCI eligibility - U.S. Citizenship Required for the purposes of obtaining/holding a U.S. security clearance. ## Pay Transparency Statement AMERICAN SYSTEMS is committed to pay transparency for our applicants and employee-owners. The salary range for this position is USD $225,000.00/Yr. - USD $250,000/Yr. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors permitted by law. AMERICAN SYSTEMS provides for the welfare of its employees and their dependents through a comprehensive benefits program by offering healthcare benefits, paid leave, retirement plans, insurance programs, and education and training assistance. ## EEO Statement EEO Race/Sex/Disability Status/Veteran Status ## Skills - Security Clearance - Decision Making - RF Engineering - Presentations - Planning - Technology Roadmap - SCI Clearance - Artificial Intelligence - Quantum Computing - Presentation Skills - Requirements Engineering - TypeScript - Leadership - Computer Science - Cryptography - Electrical Engineering - Communication - Electronic Warfare ## Benefits - Health Insurance - Other Retirement and Savings ## Related - [Military jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/military?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Military Tactical Operations jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/military/military-tactical-operations?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Special Operations Forces Subject Matter Expert jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/military/military-tactical-operations/special-operations-forces-subject-matter-expert?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Browse all companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) ## Explore this job market - [IT Services and Consulting](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/technology/it-services-and-consulting?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 150241 jobs - [Virginia](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/virginia?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 99847 jobs - [Arlington, VA](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/virginia/arlington?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 7587 jobs ## Related pages - [IT Services and Consulting](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/technology/it-services-and-consulting?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 150241 jobs - [Virginia](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/virginia?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 99847 jobs - [Arlington, VA](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/virginia/arlington?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 7587 jobs ## Browse - [Companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by country](https://www.foundrole.com/locations?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs in the United States by state and city](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B sponsors by location](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-sponsors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B salaries](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-salaries?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Sectors and industries](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by career field](https://www.foundrole.com/careers?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Latest jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/latest?utm_source=ai_markdown)